Spain cuts speed limit to save fuel 08 | 03 | 2011

HOPEFULLY THIS isn't a sign of the things to come in the UK: Spain has slashed its national speed limit from 120km/h (75mph) to 110km/h (68mph). The rather drastic action is, according to the Spanish government, due to rising oil prices sparked by the crisis in Libya and the Arab region.

Spain receives 13% of its imported fuel from Libya which, as we all know, has been hit by violent clashes and security fears which have forced the price of oil up.

In what must have been a military-style operation, workman spent the night placing new 110km/h stickers over more than 6000 signs with the previous 120km/h limit on them.

“We are going to go a bit slower and in exchange we will consume less petrol and pay less money," Spain's deputy prime minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said. The rather severe steps though are planned to be temporary. According to the Spanish government the current restrictions will stay in place until the end of June at the earliest.

The Spanish government has calculated the lower speed limit will save 15% on fuel bills, although opposition claims the real figure is around 5%.

Other measures introduced by the government include cuts in the cost of train travel and subsidies for energy-efficient light bulbs and low-rolling resistance car tyres.

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