New speed limits planned
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• New speed limits for some vehicles, including light vans and caravans towed by cars, were proposed this week by the Minister of Transport. Mr Mulley is suggesting a "non-motorway" speed limit on light vans up to 30cwt of 50 mph instead of 40.
Heavy goods vehicles over 3 tons unladen would be restricted to 60 mph (now 70) on motorways, but this would be kept under review.
The limit on motorways and non-motorways for caravans and some other trailers towed by cars, light vans and dual-purpose vehicles would be increased to 50 mph from the present 40. It would be illegal for the maximum gross weight (or in certain circumstances the laden weight) of a caravan or the laden weight of other braked trailers to be more than the kerbside weight of the drawing vehicle or for the laden weight of an unbraked trailer to be more than 60 per cent of the kerbside weight of the drawing vehicle. Broken down cars on tow which do not exceed 20 mph, trailers with power brakes and vehicles being towed away under statutory powers would be exempt from the weight ratio rules.