Speed limits differ throughout Europe and depend on what type of road you are travelling on and which country you are in. Some countries even have different limits for learner and inexperienced drivers.
The very first UK motorways did not have set speed limits but after the amount of crashes began to get ridiculous a speed limit of seventy miles per hour was introduced. There has been much debate as to whether to raise the limit to reach eighty miles per hour but as it stands the seventy miles per hour limit is the law.
French motorway systems have a slightly different system. Variable speed limits are put into play and they depend on the weather. In dry conditions the limit is usually eighty miles per hour but in wet conditions this is reduced to seventy. In 2002 the French government took steps to introduce some speed calming measures and the use of radar guns was implemented.
Germany is known for its autobahn roads not having speed limits. Trucks, buses and cars with trailers are subject to speed limits though. It is not unusual for traffic to reach limits of 125 miles per hour although there is a recommended limit of eighty miles per hour. Currently insurance payments can be dropped if the recommended speed limit is exceeded. Not all autobahn areas are speed free however, certain areas are subject to limits in order to reduce noise.
Italian highways are set at an upper speed limit of eighty miles per hour and a seventy miles per hour limit is imposed on windy roads and in bad weather. On new and clear, straight roads a limit of 95 miles per hour is imposed.
Swiss autobahns usually have a maximum speed limit of seventy five miles per hour and dual carriage ways have a speed limit of 65 miles per hour generally.