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Former racing ace backs plans for 80mph motorways
Former Formula 1 world champion Nigel Mansell is backing plans to raise the speed limit on British motorways to 80mph.
The Government is considering raising the limit from 70mph, despite fears it could lead to more crashes.
The retired racing driver said: “I don’t see why that becomes a problem. When I was a young man cars weren’t really able to do 70mph. They are very safe now.”
Announcing plans for a consultation on the issue last autumn, then Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said the current speed limit was nearly 50 years old and was out of date thanks to huge advances in safety and motoring technology.
Echoing this view, Mansell also suggested that speed cameras could lead to motorists feeling “victimised”.
Although they had initially been introduced “to save lives in dangerous places”, they had gone on to cause controversy among drivers who felt some cameras are only there as a means of bringing in money, he said.
But he conceded there were still “far too many” accidents on British roads.
Speaking after receiving a CBE from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace, he reflected on how the sport in which he made his name had changed.
Advances in the technology of motor racing had “taken some of the fun out of it”, he said, adding: “The technology previously was more down to the driver.
“In years gone by you had to be very strong to drive a Formula 1 car because you had no power steering. If you did it wrong years ago you would blow the engine.
“It’s the (new) technology that’s sometimes made some races less interesting.”
But the sport was still “so thrilling, so exciting,” he said, admitting he missed the adrenalin.
Mansell, who clocked up 31 Grand Prix wins during his career, was joined at the Palace by his family.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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MrCynic
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:08 PMWell their are two applicants for two different positions as the new Police and crime commissioners in our region. And guess what ? they both have convictions for speeding. So what will be on the ballott forms ? 80 mph, 90 mph or 100 mph. Vote for me," higher higher, what do points make " as Brucie would say.
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