The leader of a motorists campaign group has slammed the NOMSOR - Not on My Stretch of Road - attitude of residents and councillors.
Nigel Humphries of the Association of British Drivers says that while putting local people in charge sounds good in theory, there are some issues where a national strategy is essential.
And he argues that nowhere is this more true than in the case of setting speed limits.
ABD spokesman Mr Humphries said: "A small minority of people have come to believe they have the right to dictate the speed at which vehicles pass their house - whilst in most cases being quite happy to drive past other people's houses at higher, but still perfectly safe, speeds.
"This conflict of interests can only be resolved by having national rules on setting of limits in place. We cannot have the situation where a speed limit changes purely because the road enters a different county, such arbitrary changes bring speed limits into disrepute.
"Local councils have a long history of caving in to local pressure and ignoring the advice of the police and other experts when setting limits. Far from improving road safety this undermines compliance and respect for the law.
"Instead of handing more powers to non expert, politically motivated local councils the government should be strictly controlling their actions."
ABD spokesman Brian MacDowall added that they are concerned that councils in the North West will bow to pressures from "Not on My Stretch of Road" attitudes.
He said the ABD challenged Warwickshire County Councils decision to make 125 speed limit reductions that will come into effect this year, after pressure from local residents.
He said: “In Warwickshire the council lowered the whole county's speed limit in one fell swoop.
“The variation in speed limits is causing disrespect for speed limit laws.”
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