Coroner of Inquests suggests scrapping derestricted zones

There are calls for the national speed limit debate to be reopened after Coroner of Inquests John Needham returned a verdict of accidental death on a Ramsey biker.

Mr Needham says the government should consider scrapping derestricted zones after 33 year old David Jones died in May last year.

Mr Jones hit a bin wagon while travelling more than 75mph just after the Cronky-Voddy straight.

Giving evidence the Director of Highways Richard Pearson said a public consultation was held in 2006 about whether the Island should have a national speed limit.

He said there were 15,000 responses and the majority didn't want one.

Mr Pearson said the decision would be a political one although he personally felt a national speed limit would save lives.

Coroner of Inquests cited an EU convention on human rights saying the government had a duty to protect its people and a speed limit might help.