Speed Limit to increase to 130kph in Spain

I don't know, and neither does anyone else!

The present speed limit throughout Spain is 120kph. Not such a long time ago the limit was reduced to 110kph on the logic that the country needed to conserve fuel and to make our roads safer. When the limit was lowered many people drove at 130kph. Then, it was decided that 110kph was too slow, so the limit was restored to 120, and people still drove at 130. I always wondered whether it was decided that the country didn't really need to save fuel, and safer was too boring. That's possible because ours is a nation that plays with raging bulls and gunpowder.

Now, in certain stretches of roadway the limit will be increased to 130, such as they do in France. But people being people, they will drive at 140 because there seems to be something in the DNA about being disciplined and observing the law.

It would be interesting to hear the thinking behind this move. It just may be some kind of pyschology that says if we are all really good and we stick to the lower limits, we will be rewarded by being able to legally drive at a faster rate in certain stretches of roads. It might be seen as a kind of safety valve to let off some of the steam. Germany has its autobhan with no limits in certain sections, and the aforesaid France with 130 in places, so perhaps there is a kind of cool method to the madness.

However, Spain is tightening the screws on other things in anticipation of the higher limits, especially driving while intoxicated, something I thought would never change. I have been scared sober because of the crackdown, drinking only alcohol-free beer if I have to drive. In so far as speed is concerned, I am a retired person with no place to get to in a hurry, so I will continue soberly driving at my steady 100kph while the world passes me by. I'm so good! (Pat on  back.)

That works for me in my Volvo.



Copyright (c) 2013    Eugene Carmichael