The European country where speed limit on motorway has just been raised to 93mph

Spain has increased its motorway speed limits on a popular stretch of road as part of a major trial. Spanish officials have introduced a new 150kph (93mph) speed limit on one stretch of road in Catalonia with new AI tech behind the move. New computer tools will take into account a variety of vectors including traffic flow and the weather to determine the correct speeds.

If conditions are ideal, AI cameras will accept that it is fine for the limit to rise to its 93mph maximum. However, things like rain or heavy congestion can be picked up automatically with speed limits then gradually falling to a more sensible level for safety. The Spanish General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has introduced the new rules on a 90-mile stretch of the rolling AP-7 motorway in Catalonia.



The move is a hefty increase on the usual speed limits across the country with cars usually stuck to a maximum speed of 120km/h (74mph) on motorways. The technology is the first time Spain has adopted variable speed limits on a large scale. The new higher speed restrictions are only being tested out in Catalonia for the time being.

But, it is possible the updates could be introduced across the whole country if they are deemed successful. Experts at Driving Sense, also the Alliance of British Drivers (ABD) , have backed the new proposals, suggesting Spain has “shown the way” forward. A Driving Sense spokesperson added: "We would not expect real-world speeds to rise significantly.

"Such a move would simply be legitimising the safe and responsible speeds that most drivers naturally choose to travel. Spain has shown the way. The UK Government should follow.

" Driving Sense added that a similar system could be adopted in the UK by harnessing existing technology. Smart motorway gantries can display a range of features including variable speed limits for different sections of road. Driving Sense added: "The ABD has long called for trialling of higher limits on certain motorways at certain times.

This could easily be done using smart motorway systems. "However, successive UK Governments seem only interested in ratcheting down limits at every opportunity, a short-sighted approach.".