70 mph Limit Introduced 50 Years Ago Today

[365DaysofMotoring]

The UK government introduced an experimental speed limit of 70mph on motorways in England 50 years ago today (24 November). The trial was introduced due to the high number of accidents while drivers were free to go as fast as they liked after the first highway – the M1 – was opened in 1959. The two-year experiment by the Department of Transport was deeply unpopular and led to protest campaigns by motoring groups such as the RAC and AA. But by 1967 – when Transport Secretary Barbara Castle made her decision to make the speed limit permanent – polls showed 61 per cent of Britons were in favour goo.gl/FoYZBM
.