Britons back motorway speed limit cuts to save fuel amid fears of nationwide shortages

Drivers have supported the introduction of slower speeds on the motorway to save fuel during the ongoing fuel crisis, according to fresh research.

Two-thirds of motorists support reducing the motorway speed limit to 60mph amid concerns about oil in a bid to save fuel and help drivers save money at the pumps.

New data shows that 47 per cent of people agree that the UK needs to find ways to cut petrol and diesel use amid present concerns around fuel supplies.

More than a third of drivers believe that fuel shortages are a real possibility, potentially leaving drivers in a situation that was last seen in 2022.

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Fresh figures show that motorists support new speed limits, with 16 per cent arguing that cutting speeds by 10mph will "hardly affect journey times".

These ideas have been put forward by experts as being a suitable measure for helping drivers adapt to soaring fuel prices.

Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: "Cutting the motorway speed limit is an idea from the Institute for Public Policy Research, designed to be a simple way to cut fuel use both by individual drivers and overall.

"The public backing for this is perhaps surprisingly high and shows people are willing to modify their behaviour in order to try to conserve petrol and diesel, and even help contain prices at the pumps and head off the possibility of fuel rationing."

At present, drivers are paying an average of 150.68p per litre for petrol and 164.76p for diesel, according to RAC Fuel Watch.

It forecasts that both of these prices, in addition to the cost of premium fuel, will continue to fall over the coming days and weeks.

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However, oil prices jumped once again after US President Donald Trump announced that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iran had been called off.

The United States launched bombing raids against strategic positions in Iran overnight, sending oil prices spiralling and impacting the fragility of peace in the Middle East.

US Central Command said it had launched "powerful" strikes after three oil tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week.

Despite the potential fuel savings, 21 per cent said there were better ways to use less fuel than by cutting motorway speed limits by 10mph.

A further 14 per cent said that lower speeds would be an "imposition" on their driving, while one in 10 argued that the potential for fuel shortages was overhyped.

"There is already some evidence that consumers have been looking more favourably on used electric cars since the onset of the fuel shock, and going electric is certainly a good way of insulating yourself from the worst of pump price increases," Mr Burgess said.

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