Campaigners are calling on the Government to hike speed limits on major motorways after Spain launched a trial for a 150km/h (93mph) limit on a particular key route.
The Spanish General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) is testing a new speed limit of 150km/h on a certain section of the motorway in Catalonia.
Spain currently has a speed limit of 120km/h (74mph) on motorways, with the new trial set to be controlled by artificial intelligence.
The AP-7 near El Vendrell will allow drivers to travel up to 150km/h, with fines for going above the traditional 120km/h speed limit being frozen.
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Campaigners have called for the Government to consider higher speed limits on motorways
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According to TheLocal.es, speed limits will be controlled by AI, meaning mitigating factors like weather conditions and the amount of traffic will affect the limit.
Motorists in the UK are now calling for similar measures to be introduced on roads, with a potential 90mph speed limit on certain motorways at particular times of the day.
A spokesperson for Driving Sense, which is also known as the Alliance of British Drivers (ABD), has called for transport chiefs to look into the viability of hiking speed limits in the UK.
They said: "The ABD has long called for trialling of higher limits on certain motorways at certain times. This could easily be done using smart motorway systems.
"However, successive UK Governments seem only interested in ratcheting down limits at every opportunity, a short-sighted approach."
The Spanish government reported that it wanted to follow the example set by other European Union countries, like Germany and France, which use similar AI technology on roads.
Germany has used the system to crack down on the number of accidents during rush hour, while France has implemented variable speed limits in accident-prone areas.
While the higher speed limits are currently only being trialled in Catalonia, the changes could be rolled out nationwide if the scheme is successful.
The Driving Sense spokesperson added: "We would not expect real-world speeds to rise significantly.
"Such a move would simply be legitimising the safe and responsible speeds that most drivers naturally choose to travel. Spain has shown the way. The UK Government should follow."
Last year, then-MP for North Herefordshire Sir Bill Wiggin suggested that higher speed limits could be introduced on motorways, even going as far as to call for trials to take place on the M50, which runs through his constituency.
Speaking during a debate in the House of Commons on rural transport, the former Conservative MP said speed limits could be raised beyond the current 70mph threshold.
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Spain is using AI technology to control speed limits along certain routes
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He cited improvements for drivers who would be able to get to work faster and boost productivity.
Wiggin added that it could work well since cars have superior safety technology and better brakes than in previous generations when speed limits were set.
On the suggestion to use the M50, Wiggin said: "It is short, safe, and a truly excellent motorway where we could easily monitor the safety of a higher speed limit."
