Yahoo News 
Motorway speed limit should be CUT to 50mph ‘to save environment’, claims health body
A Government body wants the speed limit on UK motorways to be drastically cut from 70mph to 50mph in an attempt to combat pollution.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) believes that the cut – which would be enforced on certain sections of road – would improve the health of millions of Brits.
The health watchdog cites figures that show that some 25,000 deaths in England every year are in part related to air pollution.
Nice also wants speed bumps to be scrapped entirely as they believe motorists speed up and then slow down when approaching them – causing higher emissions.
They also want ‘no-idling’ zones introduced around schools, stopping parents from leaving their cars running while dropping off children.
MORE: Netflix is offering downloads for the first time ever and people can’t cope
MORE: Police find pranksters dressed up in animal costumes while looking for a mountain lion
Prof Mark Baker, director for the Centre of Guidelines at Nice, said: “If the traffic is such that you are stopping and starting, decelerating and accelerating, then that increases emissions, pollution and fuel consumption.
“In those circumstances, slowing everything down to 60mph or 50mph is the best approach – but not all the time. That’s why variable speed limits are far more sensible than blanket 50mph or 60mph (limits).
“Variable speed limits are useful where at times the volume of traffic results in unhealthy driving conditions – which is stopping and starting. So M25 most of the time, M4 on a Sunday, M1 on a Friday evening.
“Variable speed limits are justified on roads which are busy enough for traffic to have to break for no other reason than that (the road is) blocked.”
Dr Nigel Jenkins, Nice’s guideline committee expert, added that the variable speed limits would help “improve the flow of vehicles” on the roads.
The draft guidance has been devised for local authority staff and is now out for consultation.
A Government spokesman said: “This draft guidance doesn’t represent government policy, but we are firmly committed to improving the UK’s air quality and cutting harmful emissions.”
Top pic: Rex
