New, exclusive data from ChooseMyCar.com reveals that nearly half of UK drivers believe the motorway speed limit should be increased from 70mph to 80mph - reigniting debate around a law that has remained unchanged for nearly six decades.
According to the research:
- 43% of Brits think the motorway speed limit should be increased to 80mph.
- 29% admit to driving over 70mph on motorways.
The data highlights how driving behaviour and car technology have evolved since the national speed limit was introduced 58 years ago. In that time, stopping distances for many vehicles have been cut by nearly half, thanks to major advances in braking systems, tyres, and electronic stability controls.
Freedom of Information (FOI) data also sheds light on how current limits are enforced. The Metropolitan Police confirmed they use the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) guideline of 10% + 2mph before issuing speeding penalties. Meanwhile, Thames Valley Police data showed that 53% of speeding offences on motorways were for speeds between 70–79mph, and 42% were between 80–89mph - suggesting that most drivers exceed the limit only modestly.
A spokesperson for ChooseMyCar.com said the findings indicate that “many UK motorists are ready for a sensible review of motorway speed limits”, given improvements in both vehicle safety and driving standards.
The discussion aligns with new calls for the Department for Transport (DfT) to reconsider raising the national motorway limit to 80mph. A live petition on the UK Parliament website argues that modern cars are significantly safer, and that less congestion at higher speeds could even reduce accident rates.
If the petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the DfT must respond officially. At 100,000 signatures, it could be debated in Parliament.
Calls for a speed limit review are not new. In 2011, then-Transport Secretary Philip Hammond proposed a consultation on increasing the limit, citing a 75% drop in road fatalities since the 1960s and the improved safety of modern vehicles. The government at the time said that raising the limit could deliver hundreds of millions of pounds in annual economic benefits through shorter journey times.
However, the plan was dropped in 2013, with concerns over safety and emissions outweighing the economic arguments. The idea resurfaced briefly in 2019, when Grant Shapps suggested electric vehicles could make higher limits more sustainable — but motoring groups, including the RAC, warned that safety must remain the top priority.
Nicholas Lyes, RAC head of policy, said:
“While electric vehicles could offset some environmental concerns, the key issue is safety. Many drivers already travel close to 80mph, and raising the limit risks pushing average speeds even higher.”
With nearly half of drivers already in favour of change and more evidence pointing to improved vehicle safety, the pressure for a fresh review of the UK’s motorway speed limit appears to be mounting once again.
To view or support the current petition, visit the UK Parliament petitions website.
Do you think the motorway speed limit should be raised to 80mph - or is 70mph still the safest option for UK roads?
