Spain To Axe Controversial 110km Per Hour Speed Limit

By Stizzard

Spain is set to remove the controversial temporary speed limit on motorways which was introduced to cut fuel consumption because of rising fuel prices.

The limit was cut to 110km/h (68mph) in March drawing protests from motorists including Spain’s double world champion Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso.
The government says petrol prices have now fallen and, from 1 July, motorists can again drive at 120km/h (75mph).

Oil prices spiked after uprisings in Libya and elsewhere in the Arab world. Spain is heavily dependent on imported fuel and 13% of its oil usually comes from Libya.
“The circumstances have changed so we understand the measure is no longer required and we are going back to 120 km/h,” Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said after a weekly cabinet meeting.

He acknowledged that the slower speed limit had provoked “strong debate” but said it had saved Spain 450m euros (£399m) in its balance of payments.
Many Spaniards believed the change was a ruse to raise funds through more speeding fines.