Why do people think a dual carriageway nsl is 60mph??

[Mr Whippy]

Would help if we were trusted to just drive according to the prevailing conditions, then we wouldn't need to be worrying about how fast we think we should be going, and just drive how fast we can and feel comfortable with. Hazard and road layout signs should be enough for people to make good judgements as to what that speed is, along with the fine knowledge of the highway code and a thorough fair driving test!

*wakes up in the real world of New Labour nannyism*

As if

Dave

[seano]

funkyrobot said:

There is a bit of dual carriageway on my way into Nottingham that has the nsl sign (white with black line through) and so many people seem to think its 60mph. They have slapped SPECS on here now so people seem to linger around 56mph which causes some crazy lane hopping and idiot overtake lunges by loser drivers. Does the nsl sign confuse some people??

I also drive this road most days and over the last 18 months it's become a real drag - especially now the SPECs start from before Bingham... I have a rant to myself every day about drivers not utilising the speed limit - it's the same in the single carriageway stretches, everyone seems to be doing either 40 or 50 on the widest straightest sections of road you could hope for. And the other thing about SPEC cameras is no-one seems to be able to judge their average speed - everyone massively errs on the side of caution, if you're slowed to 50mph for 30 seconds in a 70mph zone then in theory you can go 80mph for 60 secs and still stay within the average speed limit (although not the NSL itself of course). In particular on that stretch, you're nearly always stopped at the lights at the Cotgrave turning which makes a huge difference to your average speed.

[JonRB]

Mr Whippy said:

Would help if we were trusted to just drive according to the prevailing conditions, then we wouldn't need to be worrying about how fast we think we should be going, and just drive how fast we can and feel comfortable with. Hazard and road layout signs should be enough for people to make good judgements as to what that speed is, along with the fine knowledge of the highway code and a thorough fair driving test!

A brilliant plan, Baldrick, with just one small flaw; it's bollocks. Allow the boy racers round our way farting around at 50mph in a 30mph residential zone in their maxed-up Saxos and Corsas the ability to drive at the speed they see fit and you'll see them leaving the road at high speed on bends and ploughing into houses. I saw one understeer into a sideroad and take out the road name sign. How the hell can you understeer in a 30mph zone in dry conditions? (Answer: You can't)

I think the Isle of Man have the right idea: 30mph zone rigorously enforced, the NSL sign (which to those of us old enough to remember was originally called the derestricted sign) signalling a free-for-all out of town.

>> Edited by JonRB on Sunday 29th January 10:20

[funkyrobot]

seano said:

funkyrobot said: There is a bit of dual carriageway on my way into Nottingham that has the nsl sign (white with black line through) and so many people seem to think its 60mph. They have slapped SPECS on here now so people seem to linger around 56mph which causes some crazy lane hopping and idiot overtake lunges by loser drivers. Does the nsl sign confuse some people?? I also drive this road most days and over the last 18 months it's become a real drag - especially now the SPECs start from before Bingham... I have a rant to myself every day about drivers not utilising the speed limit - it's the same in the single carriageway stretches, everyone seems to be doing either 40 or 50 on the widest straightest sections of road you could hope for. And the other thing about SPEC cameras is no-one seems to be able to judge their average speed - everyone massively errs on the side of caution, if you're slowed to 50mph for 30 seconds in a 70mph zone then in theory you can go 80mph for 60 secs and still stay within the average speed limit (although not the NSL itself of course). In particular on that stretch, you're nearly always stopped at the lights at the Cotgrave turning which makes a huge difference to your average speed.

Yep in traffic the most you can expect is about 50mph, but i'm usually on the way home late at night so its 70mph all the way. Used to be better, before the SPECS arrived, bah lol!!

[WildCat]

funkyrobot said:

seano said: funkyrobot said: There is a bit of dual carriageway on my way into Nottingham that has the nsl sign (white with black line through) and so many people seem to think its 60mph. They have slapped SPECS on here now so people seem to linger around 56mph which causes some crazy lane hopping and idiot overtake lunges by loser drivers. Does the nsl sign confuse some people?? I also drive this road most days and over the last 18 months it's become a real drag - especially now the SPECs start from before Bingham... I have a rant to myself every day about drivers not utilising the speed limit - it's the same in the single carriageway stretches, everyone seems to be doing either 40 or 50 on the widest straightest sections of road you could hope for. And the other thing about SPEC cameras is no-one seems to be able to judge their average speed - everyone massively errs on the side of caution, if you're slowed to 50mph for 30 seconds in a 70mph zone then in theory you can go 80mph for 60 secs and still stay within the average speed limit (although not the NSL itself of course). In particular on that stretch, you're nearly always stopped at the lights at the Cotgrave turning which makes a huge difference to your average speed. Yep in traffic the most you can expect is about 50mph, but i'm usually on the way home late at night so its 70mph all the way. Used to be better, before the SPECS arrived, bah lol!!

Funkiest robotic Liebchen - I do declare you are getting educated

Have been on this road... ist 30 mph with SPEC into centre of Nottingham from M1 - if I recall? . Ist 70mph across to Matlock Spa...in the other direction...but I understand Nottingham is SPEC centre of UK for some reason.... und am still hearing Sally Traffic talk of mishaps....

But as for NSL sign... A66 ist our SpeedFinder General's hunting ground.... ist a two laner single carriageway which catches lot of HGV/caravanners/tourists in particular.

Back home - sign has little lorry in middle which tell us two speed limit can apply depending on type of vehicle or towing ... ist logical - nicht?

Und Highway Code should be a lot clearer than "National Speed Limit Applies" beneath picture of this sign und the blurb on page 26 lists the various limits und say in small print that these are the National Speed limits und apply to all road unless stated otherwise.... but this sign meaning 60 mph on singles und 70 mph on duals should be more closely defined on page 73 than is at moment.