It is one of those worthy suggestions in which politicians engage earnestly, but everybody else knows will probably never see the light of day: will drivers be any different if asked to travel at 10mph slower to save the world from dangerous emissions?
A sensible idea? Perhaps, but drivers are not the most sensible when they get behind a wheel. We have all seen the daft and dangerous things they do and we might be guilty of some of them ourselves, from time to time.
Many are also absent-minded, forgetful and careless. These three cause numerous accidents, which could have been avoided, for example.
Former Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson has asked Scottish ministers to urge people to drive more slowly.
His successor Keith Brown and Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse will meet to discuss how this could help with their harmful-emissions targets, which have been missed two years in a row.
Mr Stevenson believes “driving 10mph slower delivers 10% cash savings and 10% emissions savings for only 2-3% average-speed reduction on journeys”.
The problem is that we see drivers travelling at 10 or 20mph above the limit as a matter of routine. They are forever showing an inclination to go over any set-speed limit out of exasperation or because they are late for something.
There is no appreciable desire to go slower. Going too slow, even if you are environmentally sensitive and remember to do so, can be as hazardous as going too fast.
You can’t help but think that if successive ministers had done their jobs properly in the past, new roads would have reduced today’s traffic congestion and bottlenecks by now – major causes of emissions, pollution and potential climate change.
It is a worthy idea, indeed, to drive 10mph slower, but it could end up being parked in a layby.