§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate has been made of the effect a drop in the national speed limit to 60 mph would have in a reduction in energy consumption.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleWe have made no precise estimate of the effect on fuel consumption of such a reduction in speed limits. The calculation is a complex one as fuel consumption would be affected by a number of factors, particularly the level of compliance with the speed limit, the rate of acceleration and braking, and the transfer of traffic to roads which already have a speed limit of 60 mph or less. However, the Government are keeping speed limits under review for both safety and environmental reasons. Our strategy is set out in the Department's document "Killing Speed and Saving Lives".