This year, a consultation about raising England and Wales' motorways limit from 70mph to 80mph will begin.

The Department of Transport has instigated the consultation and says that nearly half of motorway drivers disregard the current 70mph limit and questions whether the current 70mph is even safe anymore.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond stresses that the 50 year old speed limit is “out of date thanks to huge advances in safety and motoring technology.” Mr Hammond also stated that the increase would “generate economic benefits of hundreds of millions of pounds through shorter journey times."

Ellen Booth, senior campaigns officer at road safety charity Brake, stresses an alternative opinion: "we would be strongly opposed to any policy that would increase deaths on the roads.”

The motorway’s change of speed limit will commence in 2013 if the plans go ahead.