A majority of Britons are not in favour of increasing the motorway speed limit to 80mph, despite petitions supporting faster speeds.
A survey of 2,000 motorists found that 54 per cent did not want to see motorway speeds increase to 80mph.
There was far stronger support for new speed limits from the older generation, with almost two-thirds (64 per cent) backing the measures.
In comparison, just under half (47 per cent) of drivers aged between 18 and 24 said they would support these measures.
This could be put down to their age, with younger motorists not having the confidence to travel at such speeds, having only been on the road for a matter of years.
Imran Malek, corporate sales manager at DrivingExperience.com, said: “It’s clear to see that 70mph is plenty for many in the UK, the current speed limit that has been in place for nearly 60 years.”
He suggested that older generations could support higher speeds, given their belief that modern cars contain more safety technology.
Despite this, he acknowledged that the “human response” to driving hazards remains high, with speed limits likely heightening these fears.
A majority of drivers were not in favour of increasing the motorway speed limit
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PAThe survey results showed that respondents in Northern Ireland were most in favour (70 per cent) of keeping the current 70mph speed limit.
On the other end of the spectrum, fewer than half of people in the South East of England were happy with the current maximum speed limits.
In recent years, petitions have been put forward that call on the Government to increase speeds on certain roads.
One of the largest petitions stated that the Government should raise motorway speed limits to 100mph, while dual carriageways should be 80mph.
Thousands of drivers previously backed calls for motorway speed limits to be raised to 100mph
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PAThe petition argued that modern vehicles had advanced safety features, adding that faster travel could enhance the reliability of supply chains and logistics.
The petition recorded an impressive 42,796 signatures before it was taken down due to the General Election in 2024.
Since it garnered more than 10,000 signatures on the official Parliament website, the Government responded to the calls.
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said it had no recent assessment of increasing national speed limits, with “no current plans” to make any changes.
It acknowledged that technology was moving rapidly, noting that modern vehicles are much safer compared to vehicles from when the speed limits were first introduced.
The spokesperson said: “Speed limits are set to achieve a balance between a transport system that is an engine for economic growth but one that is also greener and safer and improves the quality of life in our communities.
The safety of road users is our priority, and any change to speed limits would be evidence-led, looking at the impact on safety, air quality and carbon emissions as well as traffic flow and other road conditions.
The ability to set speed limits, including the national limits, in Scotland and Wales has been devolved to the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government. Northern Ireland is responsible for its own road traffic legislation.