The debate over the government's move to reduce the highway speed limit to 110 from 120 km/h has gathered pace in recent days. Speaking from Qatar, Prime Minister Zapatero backed the measure and said that Spaniards would do likewise, as was the case when the government's points system led to increased road safety.

Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba toed a different line: "We understand that it will not increase road safety, strictly speaking, but it will affect consumption and energy saving."

Drivers associations have warned that the measure may actually have an adverse effect, as when the speed limit was dropped to 100 km/h in 1976 during that oil crisis. Accidents increased on Spanish roads during the 1976-1981 period. Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso has said he disagrees with the move.

The Popular Party has criticized the government scheme ? spokesman Esteban González Pons described it as "Soviet" ? and pointed to the 250,000 euro cost of altering some 6,000 road signs.

"It's just a case of putting a sticker up," the Industry Ministry responded. The government estimates the speed reduction will save almost 1.5 billion euros in oil imports, but that will be offset by a loss of 500 million euros in tax income.