New EU Speed Limit Proposed

Plans proposed this week have been met with a different response from countries around Europe. The plans have called for a new universal speed limit to be enforced across Europe of 100kph (62mph). The proposed plans also state the need for a universal European highway code as a means of simplifying travel across the continent.

This would simplify travel for many holiday makers that choose to travel around Europe each year in their own cars. Many believe it could also help truck drivers that have to adjust to the rules of each country as they travel across Europe. The new plans are to revise the rules of the road that change from one country to another and many believe would make a safer European road network. By making the speed limit uniform across the whole of Europe it would reduce accidents and help to keep van insurance premiums down. This could also put an end to foreign drivers abusing the rules of the roads in different countries and pleading innocence when stopped by the police.

In fact as the European Union becomes a reality surely this is the next step to unifying all the countries currently within that union. However the plans have been met with resistance by countries such as Germany who are the one European country that currently benefits from speed limit free roads in the form of the autobahn. German spokesmen believe that by enforcing a speed limit of 100kph will not be met kindly my the German people.

In my opinion the idea of a European highway code is a very good one on paper and could help reduce accidents and costly van insurance claims on European roads. However the logistics of moulding together 26 countries road laws into one uniformed document is near impossible and would no doubt be met with fierce opposition. Not only would this new highway code be taking away from an individual countries heritage but reaching a stage where all the countries involved agreed on one document and the new legislation is passed will take years and years.