Road Safety Bill [HL]

This proposal is, no doubt, quite tempting. Superficially, it could certainly be popular. There is a certain mantra which goes with it, about modern vehicles clearly being capable of going at 80 miles per hour. Many people already drive at 80 miles per hour—certainly, at least, on the relatively empty motorways in Scotland—and it would reduce bunching. I am, however, certainly opposing this amendment, on grounds which may indeed be boring; grounds like fuel economy, given the fact that vehicles are rarely fuel-efficient above 2,500 revs. I accept that there are now expensive cars geared to produce 2,500 revs at 70, but not usually at 80, except for the very expensive cars. It depends ultimately on the drive ratio which is fitted. Then there is the air pollution issue. Vehicles going above 2,500 revs will be producing more harmful gases. We are against that. Finally, there is the rising collision damage which comes from a large number of vehicles driving at that speed. So, the amendment may be good retail politics, but it is unsound.