Speed restrictions to cut gas emissions

14 November 2005

Speed restrictions could cut CO2 by 1m tons
DEFRA report expected in the spring
What Car? wants to hear from you

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A secret plan to clamp down on motorway speeding is being hatched by the Government.

The Guardian newspaper says it has seen confidential documents that show the clamp down is being considered in a bid to help reduce overall carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions 20% by 2010.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) report says the CO2 target can't be met through current efforts saying: 'We need to do about 75% more in around half the time.'

It estimates stricter enforcement of the 70mph motorway limit could cut CO2 emissions by 890,000 tons a year, almost a tenth of the overall 11 to 14 million tons reduction needed to meet the target. Road transport currently accounts for a quarter of the UK's total CO2 output. A public report is scheduled to be released by DEFRA next spring.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders published its fourth annual report tracing the continued reduction in average new car carbon dioxide emissions earlier this year.

At the time of the report it said that improvements in car design from manufacturers could only go so far, and called for a concerted effort from Government and consumers to bring about further cuts.

A spokesman said tighter control of speed limits wasn't exactly what it had had in mind: 'It was more about people thinking about when they drive – whether they actually need to use their cars or could take alternative means of transport.'

The SMMT had called for improvements in public transport so motorists had more reliable options, and also said car buyers needed to consider emissions more when buying their next car.

New fridge-style energy efficiency labels for cars were introduced to give motorists more information of this type, and are still being rolled out across the UK's showrooms.

Follow this link for some driving tips that should reduce your fuel bills and, as a result, the amount of CO2 you produce on each journey.

• Do you think tougher enforcement of speed limits will cut greenhouse gases? We'd like to hear from you. Click on the links below and tell us your view.

Yes, enforce speed limits.

No, it will not make any difference.