Whenever there is a major holdup on the motorway, M6 and M4 are recent examples, someone calculates the cost to the nation, based on the time wasted sitting in the queue. Red Ken uses similar arguments to justify congestion charging in London.

A similar argument could be applied to making eveyone drive at 70mph on motorways rather than the current average 85mph(?) The cost to the nation of lost time would be huge, and far outweigh the alternative cost of accidents (most of which would still occur anyway).

Surely the 'greater good' argument applies here as well? The nation as a whole benefits far more from allowing people to travel quickly, than it loses through accident costs. Royals, MPs, and senior police officers being very important are escorted at high speed, demonstrating the validity of the above argument.

Cue "the loss of one human life is one too many" etc.....