Vulnerability in 50mph zones
Discussion
The Selfish Gene said:
also - anyone else feel the need to calculate how much time was stolen from them, and then increase their speed when out of the silly restricted zone to ensure their average is as it should be or better? Just me? ok
I've played computer games where you have to mess about with average speeds so it shouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility for someone cleverer than me to create a device where you mark the start camera, say, doing 10mph, then you can blow past the 2nd camera at 5,694mph. 
Know exactly what you mean...they're not pleasant.
I've taken to using Waze through these stretches - it's got an average-speed checker, and the GPS-validated speed gives me a little more confidence.
...so I find myself doing ~52 on the GPS which means I'm usually 3-4 mph quicker than the average. Yes you do get stuck behind someone crawling past the other lane(s), but I tend to deal with that by making sure I'm not parallel with someone, esp. not an HGV.
I've taken to using Waze through these stretches - it's got an average-speed checker, and the GPS-validated speed gives me a little more confidence.
...so I find myself doing ~52 on the GPS which means I'm usually 3-4 mph quicker than the average. Yes you do get stuck behind someone crawling past the other lane(s), but I tend to deal with that by making sure I'm not parallel with someone, esp. not an HGV.
The M4 near me went ‘smart’ over the course of about 4 years (not to mention the best part of a £billion).
There was a 50 limit for over 15 miles with 3 narrowed lanes.
That was not fun at 7am in all sorts of weather.
I avoided staying next to vehicles in adjacent lanes by making sure we were doing slightly different speeds.
For me that meant about 53mph sat nav speed.
There was a 50 limit for over 15 miles with 3 narrowed lanes.
That was not fun at 7am in all sorts of weather.
I avoided staying next to vehicles in adjacent lanes by making sure we were doing slightly different speeds.
For me that meant about 53mph sat nav speed.
tegwin said:
Try some of the dual carriageways near Chepstow/Abergavenny.
No road works, perfect flat straight dual carriageway.... mile after mile of 50mph signs. Not an average camera zone so you get people pootling along at 45mph vs those that simply don't understand the logic and are driving at the correct speed of 70mph. mind blowing.
You mean the A40 between Abergavenny and Raglan? That's because large sections of the central barrier have been found to have failing foundations, if anything hits it at high speed then it's possible they could just plough through it. No road works, perfect flat straight dual carriageway.... mile after mile of 50mph signs. Not an average camera zone so you get people pootling along at 45mph vs those that simply don't understand the logic and are driving at the correct speed of 70mph. mind blowing.
havoc said:
Know exactly what you mean...they're not pleasant.
I've taken to using Waze through these stretches - it's got an average-speed checker, and the GPS-validated speed gives me a little more confidence.
...so I find myself doing ~52 on the GPS which means I'm usually 3-4 mph quicker than the average. Yes you do get stuck behind someone crawling past the other lane(s), but I tend to deal with that by making sure I'm not parallel with someone, esp. not an HGV.
Ooh, I didn't realise Waze had that, I must play with to see how it works! However, I already do the same as you already, set the cruise at GPS 52 mph which is actually bang on 52 on my car, and make sure I'm never next to an HGV for longer than a few seconds. If necessary I gently slow down then speed up to get past. I always like to have an "escape route" in at least 1 direction in case of an unexpected incident or manoeuvre by another driver. I can't tolerate being boxed in. I've taken to using Waze through these stretches - it's got an average-speed checker, and the GPS-validated speed gives me a little more confidence.
...so I find myself doing ~52 on the GPS which means I'm usually 3-4 mph quicker than the average. Yes you do get stuck behind someone crawling past the other lane(s), but I tend to deal with that by making sure I'm not parallel with someone, esp. not an HGV.
It is these 50 sections and the random different speed on each consecutive SMART M/Way gantry with added tailgating psycho truck drivers that made me change job so that I no longer have to drive around the UK. I don't even drive to visit anywhere in the UK for leisure now, If I want a change of scenery or a weekend or week away I fly abroad instead.
The 50 average cameras on Motorways are usually on sections with roadworks, so I use the 3rd lane because the HGVs aren't allowed in it! Although in my BMW Z4 with an HGV to my left and a concrete block to my right it can be a bit stressful, especially when the HGV isn't staying in its' lane. 
But I set Cruise for 55mph, although because traffic is so bunched up I often have to slow down, and just endure it.
But I set Cruise for 55mph, although because traffic is so bunched up I often have to slow down, and just endure it.
FMOB said:
We are all free to take a different route and not subject ourselves the 50mph, average camera controlled, narrow lane roadworks on the motorway or other multi-lane roads.
It’s practically impossible to get through Wales without the bloody things. Most of the M4 from Newport to Cardiff is, plus Port Talbot. Something to do with air quality/emissions. What is the consensus on the maximum average speed you can do in an average speed camera enforced roadworks section of a motorway. I have always set my cruise control at 53 mph (BMW or Skoda - I guess all manufacturers are different) and never had a ticket but wonder if 55 or even 60 is safe from NIPs?
aterribleusername said:
tegwin said:
Try some of the dual carriageways near Chepstow/Abergavenny.
No road works, perfect flat straight dual carriageway.... mile after mile of 50mph signs. Not an average camera zone so you get people pootling along at 45mph vs those that simply don't understand the logic and are driving at the correct speed of 70mph. mind blowing.
You mean the A40 between Abergavenny and Raglan? That's because large sections of the central barrier have been found to have failing foundations, if anything hits it at high speed then it's possible they could just plough through it. No road works, perfect flat straight dual carriageway.... mile after mile of 50mph signs. Not an average camera zone so you get people pootling along at 45mph vs those that simply don't understand the logic and are driving at the correct speed of 70mph. mind blowing.
aterribleusername said:
tegwin said:
Try some of the dual carriageways near Chepstow/Abergavenny.
No road works, perfect flat straight dual carriageway.... mile after mile of 50mph signs. Not an average camera zone so you get people pootling along at 45mph vs those that simply don't understand the logic and are driving at the correct speed of 70mph. mind blowing.
You mean the A40 between Abergavenny and Raglan? That's because large sections of the central barrier have been found to have failing foundations, if anything hits it at high speed then it's possible they could just plough through it. No road works, perfect flat straight dual carriageway.... mile after mile of 50mph signs. Not an average camera zone so you get people pootling along at 45mph vs those that simply don't understand the logic and are driving at the correct speed of 70mph. mind blowing.
Steve vRS said:
What is the consensus on the maximum average speed you can do in an average speed camera enforced roadworks section of a motorway. I have always set my cruise control at 53 mph (BMW or Skoda - I guess all manufacturers are different) and never had a ticket but wonder if 55 or even 60 is safe from NIPs?
I set mine to 55 and never had an issue. That’s as high as I dare for risk to reward ratio. indigochim said:
Me too, especially when you drive a low car and just get a view of the trucks undercarriage. I was sure that a couple of years back they said they were going to stop the 50 limits and do 60 but I've only seen that a couple of times.
Roadworks on the M1 did switch to 60 at one point and it felt much more comfortable. For some reason they’re back to 50. I agree that it’s not pleasant, especially when boxed in on narrow lanes. Steve vRS said:
What is the consensus on the maximum average speed you can do in an average speed camera enforced roadworks section of a motorway. I have always set my cruise control at 53 mph (BMW or Skoda - I guess all manufacturers are different) and never had a ticket but wonder if 55 or even 60 is safe from NIPs?
For 3 years or so I was using the M3 at least once a week while they turned it into a dumb Motorway. It didn't have average cameras, just fixed ones but I set cruise to 55 and never got a NIP. Since then it has had average cameras when joining it Southbound from the M25 with a 50 limit and I've stuck to 55 on Cruise with no issues, as well as on other roads with 50 average so 55 is my default setting.
Most cars over-read anyway so 55 on the speedo is probably 52 or 53 - mine were all BMWs FWIW.
M27 has recently shrunk to 3 narrow lanes from 4 for resurfacing. Lane 2 is only 2.5m wide and even lane 1 is only 3.1m so yes passing hgv's in lane 2 is very much squeaky bum time, made worse by a surface so bad that lanes aren't easily distinguishable and the narrow lanes going on for 10 miles.
There is good news though, it's only going to take 2.5 years to complete......
There is good news though, it's only going to take 2.5 years to complete......
M27 is awful at the moment. Middle lane is too narrow (although Highway Agency says it’s not). Some signs telling HGVs to stay on inside lane (but some don’t) and when they don’t they straddle the lanes. Wide vans and tow trucks are too wide for middle lane. I either stay on inside or outside lanes and stick cruise on 56 where I can.
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