Industry News from Yes Insurance

Changes to the way in which speed limits are set on the UK's roads were heavily opposed by police forces before being given the green light.

Despite the concerns raised by advisors, the government has chosen to introduce the new rules which mean speed limits will be set according to the average speed of vehicles.

In total, 18 forces responded to the government proposals with a majority 11 stating that they opposed the plans and only five giving their support, according to the Association of British Drivers (ABD).

The ABD claims that the plans will see speed limits drop and therefore more people will be breaking the law and car insurance premiums will be affected.

The decision to ignore the concerns of the police has left many experts both angry and bewildered.

"It is another example of the arrogance of this government that it thinks it knows best and has decided to go ahead anyway," says policy director of the ABD, Mark McArthur-Christie.

"Even well set speed limits are only a rough guide to what may be a safe speed under a particular set of conditions, and drivers need to vary their speed as those conditions change.

"Most drivers are capable of doing this successfully, but those skills are eroded if drivers are encouraged to offload their responsibility and slavishly drive at the posted speed limit regardless. Switched-off, zombie drivers are dangerous drivers," he adds.

The new rules regarding speed limits were decided upon in early August.

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