To each tongue a speed limit

BRUSSELS (Reuter): A Belgian minister's plan to raise motorway speed limits has split Belgium's two main language regions.

Dutch-speaking Flanders opposes Transport Minister Elio di Rupo's plan to raise the limit to 130 kph (81 mph) from 120 kph (75 mph) to bring Belgium into line with France and Germany while French-language Wallonia is in favor.

"There is a big divergence of views," a spokeswoman for Di Rupo said, adding that there were more motorway accidents in Flanders where police set up check points on motorways at night in a bid to prevent accidents, often caused by drunken driving.

A special committee voted for Di Rupo's plan, which includes tough penalties for breaking the speed limit, by a slim majority on Wednesday, the spokeswoman said. But it was not certain the law would get through.