Is it safer to break the limit?

I have read in your paper different views on what is the legally permitted speed while driving on a motorway.

I agree that in the Highway Code it says 70mph is the maximum allowed. But when driving at 70mph and you come behind a vehicle travelling at 68mph and you wish to keep travelling at the 70mph, you begin an over-taking manoeuvre, as long as it's safe to do so.

But the 2mph difference between the vehicle you are overtaking and the legal 70mph you are maintaining means you are taking much longer in the overtaking manoeuvre than if you were to break the law and exceed the 70mph.

Should a mishap occur, such as a blowout or similar event, to either vehicle then that could cause an accident.

Does it not make sense that for that brief moment in time it would be safer to increase your speed during this manoeuvre than to remain at the permitted 70mph?

H Hendow Whitchurch