In early November, a crash on the M5 motorway in southwest England involving nearly 40 vehicles was among the worst in the country's history and left seven dead and over 50 injured. The cause of the crash is yet to be determined, but it was said that flames rose more than 20 feet into the air. Just a few weeks later, during a heavy fog on the German A31 not far from the Dutch border, a minor fender- bender turned into a 52 car crash resulting in 3 deaths and dozens of injuries. The Autobahn is known for not having speed limits, while there are places without, many areas have variable speed limits ranging from 60-130 km/h (81.1mph). These limits can be changed based on conditions and is seen as beneficial. In the UK, the current highest speed limit is 70mph (112.6km/h), 2km/h higher than the lowest motorway limit in Europe. These current crashes have created two perspectives; one saying keep or lower this limit, and the other claiming that an 80mph speed limit would be safer and save travellers money as well as time. The UK's transport secretary is in favor of a higher limit, though no law has been put into place. The highest speed limit in the US is in Texas, where some locations allow speeds of up to 85mph.
Ryan Fraleigh
More Coverage & Video: BBC
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