Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies (right) is supporting calls to raise the maximum speed limit on motorways and dual carriageways to 80 mph.
The Conservative MP, who travels around 800 miles every week, claims that while the change in the legal limit will only increase speeds marginally, it will greatly reduce illegal driving and respect for the law.
He said: “The 70mph maximum speed on motorways was set 50 years ago. Our cars have been transformed in reliability, safety and fuel efficiency over the last half century. In my opinion it would be sensible to introduce pilot schemes where the maximum speed limit on motorways would be raised to 80mph.
“Anyone who travels regularly on motorways knows that if they drive at 70mph, there is a steady stream of overtaking traffic, including fully laden lorries and buses. The reality is that raising the limit to 80mph would make little difference, except to greatly reduce the number of drivers breaking the law, and increase respect for the law.
“I also believe there should be more enforcement of speeding offences by lorries, and tighter restrictions in urban areas. I know many will disagree, but in my opinion it’s a change which is long overdue.”