As we approach Christmas Day, an occasion which should be enjoyed with family and friends, a joyful time of year when millions across the UK, Europe and the rest of the world celebrate the festivities in style.

But last Christmas, six people died as a result of road accidents on Britain’s roads. 

Motorists are being reminded to drive carefully and keep their speed down to avoid a repeat of the tragedy that occurred last Christmas.

In June this year, the government ditched plans for an 80mph speed limit on motorways. Motortrades Insight spoke to AA President Edmund King about why he thought the government ditched the plans. He said the government did not wish to alienate female voters.

“It’s quite interesting because The AA had surveyed 20,000 drivers on an 80mph speed limit and overall, 63 per cent were in favour of a higher speed limit, but with women drivers, the majority – 51 per cent – were in favour of a higher limit. 41 per cent were opposed. Now, perhaps the government thought that the 41 per cent who are opposed would be more vocal and that seems to have influenced the decision.

“I think the reality is that nowadays on the motorway, in a safe car, in a safe distance from the car in front in good weather, 80mph is probably a safe speed. However, too many drivers drive too fast for it to be a safe speed.”

If you're celebrating the festivities and the New Year on a night out with friends and family, it is worth considering leaving the car behind and hiring - or calling for - a taxi to take everyone home safely. 

Mr King is correct. If the speed limit is 70mph, a significant proportion of drivers feel it is okay to drive at 75mph to 80mph. But if the now-ditched plans for an 80mph speed limit went ahead, it is widely accepted that many drivers would see speeding at 85mph to 90mph as acceptable. And that would simply not be safe, as Kevin Clinton, Head of Road Safety at RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) explained.

Hailing the news that the government abandoned the plans for an 80mph speed limit as ‘great news’, Mr Clinton said: “If the motorway speed limit went up the number of deaths and injuries would go up. We don’t see any argument for the increase in speed, frankly.

“We certainly don’t see any reason for cars to do the kind of speeds that they could do because apart from a few autobahns in Germany, you’re not allowed to get up to those speeds.”

So please keep your speed down throughout the festive season to avoid becoming another casualty of Christmas Day. Enjoy the festivities and drive safely.