Road Safety Bill [HL]

I would like to support the amendment, though I would also like to ask a couple of questions in view of what other speakers have said. My noble friend Lord Attlee said that we can do 80 miles per hour. Now, I very conscientiously watch that I never go above 70. I find it quite terrifying that someone always sits right on my back bumper bar, and in a terrible position. I am always thinking ““What on Earth would happen if we have an accident? There is no way that this person could pull up””. This is not in the fast lane—I am either in the middle or slow lane, but wherever I am, someone will come within inches of my bumper bar. If I could do 80, maybe I could get away from them—or maybe they would then go higher. However, I would like confirmation that the police will allow drivers to do 80, because that is very interesting. My other question is about these motorway warning sign systems, which certainly exist now on the M25. These are usually gantries with illuminated electric signs on them, which tell you that the speed might be   40, although it is normally a motorway speed. It is rather funny when one thinks of Fred Mulley, the Minister who introduced the M25. When he passed the plans he said, ““It will never be used””, but by the time it was built it was already too small. The M25 is always crowded. I have been told that the illuminated electronic motorway signs—the electric light signs—are not enforceable. They are optional and you cannot be hauled up because they are not mandatory. Will the Minister clarify that for me because there seems to be a great lack of understanding about whether you are obliged to abide by those signs. Again, masses of people do not seem to. Are you or are you not obliged? I support the general principle of this amendment.