SAFETY experts are warning that a zero tolerance policy on speed would backfire.

The RAC Foundation has advised the Government in response to their speed review that the danger of 23 million motorists paying more attention to their speedometer than to the constantly changing traffic environment around them would increase accidents.

The Foundation has told Government that speed limits should be set which are appropriate to the type and character of the road in question.

Sue Nicholson, RAC Foundation's head of campaigns, said: "Excessive speed (breaking the speed limit) is a factor in approximately five per cent of collisions, whereas inappropriate speed is a cause of 25 to 30 per cent of accidents.

"Inappropriate speed often involves driving too fast for the weather conditions. Eighty miles per hour in a modern car on a clear motorway in good weather conditions may be an entirely appropriate and safe speed, whereas 20mph outside a school with children around may be too fast.

"We need an intelligent and flexible approach to speed limits and enforcement rather than so-called zero tolerance."

She said existing road classifications would have to be fully reviewed. The wide range of standards of construction and maintenance of A and B roads often makes it difficult to predict what type of road one is driving upon.

Many modernised stretches of B roads are of a higher quality than older A roads even within the same county.

The RAC Foundation response to Government highlights the following details and calls for:

* A consistently enforced 80mph speed limit on motorways

* Introduction of 20mph zones in urban areas where they are appropriate, for example, outside schools when pupils are entering or leaving.

* No blanket 20mph zones.

* No blanket speed on reductions on rural roads but reductions on narrow country lanes where appropriate

* Expansion of speed cameras to locations where there is no obvious hazard or accident blackspot has damaged their credibility in the eyes of many motorists

* Over reliance on camera technology has led to many motorists treating speeding fines like parking tickets.

Story date: Wednesday 03 November

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