45 mph national speed limit?
Discussion
p1esk said:
Yes, but I have taken to the view that while there is a need to demonstrate ability to drive at the speed limit (where safe) in a test situation, I don't feel obliged to do it at other times.
If I wish to drive at a speed lower than the prevailing limit, I want to be free to do so, and I will do so, as long as it is not causing inconvenience to anybody else. I'm always alert to that possibility, and if looks likely to happen, I will make suitable adjustments to what I'm doing in order to eliminate the problem.
How do you like your Honda Jazz? Would you get another?If I wish to drive at a speed lower than the prevailing limit, I want to be free to do so, and I will do so, as long as it is not causing inconvenience to anybody else. I'm always alert to that possibility, and if looks likely to happen, I will make suitable adjustments to what I'm doing in order to eliminate the problem.
Johnnytheboy said:
I have no objection to people driving slowly IF they are prepared to actively assist faster people getting by.
Otherwise they are selfish beneath contempt.
There are some who dont feel comfortable driving at the limit, suppose an elderly gentlemen feels more comfortable at 55 instead of 60, then its better for him than to be doing 60.Otherwise they are selfish beneath contempt.
There is no arguement (and I guess someone will throw this one up) that he shouldnt be on the roads, unless you agree that the day you dont max out on every road, then you hang up your keys, I often drive up the A90 into Aberdeen, dual carriageway, occasions I do 70 in L2 passing loads of cars in L1, all merrily doing less than 70.
On occasions I sit in L1 with them. On a lot of back roads around where I live 60 is fine on some stretches, not on others in my opionion, but often when I slow to a safe speed, there is invariaby some idiot comes right up my rear.
Roads are for one and all, we should all be a bit more curtious to other road users. (Thats a general comment by the way).
I play a game to stop my piss from boiling too badly. If I am following a die hard member of the 40-45mph brigade I will slow down fully to 30mph in the 30mph zones, allowing them to pull away from me, I will remain at 30 right up until the nsl sign then see how quickly I can catch them. Or vice versa if I am leading I will slow down to 30mph in the 30mph zones with them tailgating but see if I can get far enough ahead at the next nsl that they are unable to catch me up in the next village when I slow and they remain at 40-45mph.
I think the issue with people doing a speed they are comfortable with is interesting. If I were driving an unfamiliar larger vehicle in the rain with poor headlights along a slippery road that I didn't know at night then I would be going at a speed slower than my otherself who knew the road well in a performance car would take it at so I won't be too judgemental. However, what we are talking about is people who are s
tting themself at driving faster than 40mph along dry, clear, wide and well sighted roads. The same people who are not capable of controlling a modern vehicle along a straight at more than 40mph in said conditions somehow become driving gods with reactions good enough to drive through a 30mph village at the same speed.
My problem is the lack of consideration and the queue mentality. If you want to drive at 40-45mph then that is fine, but either make it easier for others too pass you at safe overtaking places, or, and I mean this, pull over every few miles to allow the train of cars who have places to go and things to do pass you. Cars, which would be safer spaced out driving at 60mph than they are bumper to bumper at 40mph behind you getting wound up.
There is a long straight 30mph zone on one of my routes home and I have regularly been overtaken whilst doing the speed limit through there by some prat at 50mph, who when we get onto the decent nsl remains at 50mph and I overtake them back just to get flashed. Has happened dozens of times over the years. I now position myself nearer the centre of the road in the 30mph and try and obstruct the illegal overtake. It actually puts some people off, who obviously are not in a hurry because they don't keep up in the nsl shortly after.
I think the issue with people doing a speed they are comfortable with is interesting. If I were driving an unfamiliar larger vehicle in the rain with poor headlights along a slippery road that I didn't know at night then I would be going at a speed slower than my otherself who knew the road well in a performance car would take it at so I won't be too judgemental. However, what we are talking about is people who are s
tting themself at driving faster than 40mph along dry, clear, wide and well sighted roads. The same people who are not capable of controlling a modern vehicle along a straight at more than 40mph in said conditions somehow become driving gods with reactions good enough to drive through a 30mph village at the same speed.My problem is the lack of consideration and the queue mentality. If you want to drive at 40-45mph then that is fine, but either make it easier for others too pass you at safe overtaking places, or, and I mean this, pull over every few miles to allow the train of cars who have places to go and things to do pass you. Cars, which would be safer spaced out driving at 60mph than they are bumper to bumper at 40mph behind you getting wound up.
There is a long straight 30mph zone on one of my routes home and I have regularly been overtaken whilst doing the speed limit through there by some prat at 50mph, who when we get onto the decent nsl remains at 50mph and I overtake them back just to get flashed. Has happened dozens of times over the years. I now position myself nearer the centre of the road in the 30mph and try and obstruct the illegal overtake. It actually puts some people off, who obviously are not in a hurry because they don't keep up in the nsl shortly after.
jimbop1 said:
p1esk said:
Yes, but I have taken to the view that while there is a need to demonstrate ability to drive at the speed limit (where safe) in a test situation, I don't feel obliged to do it at other times.
If I wish to drive at a speed lower than the prevailing limit, I want to be free to do so, and I will do so, as long as it is not causing inconvenience to anybody else. I'm always alert to that possibility, and if looks likely to happen, I will make suitable adjustments to what I'm doing in order to eliminate the problem.
How do you like your Honda Jazz? Would you get another?If I wish to drive at a speed lower than the prevailing limit, I want to be free to do so, and I will do so, as long as it is not causing inconvenience to anybody else. I'm always alert to that possibility, and if looks likely to happen, I will make suitable adjustments to what I'm doing in order to eliminate the problem.
I don't think I'd buy another one though. With a bit of luck I shall not need to buy another car: it's too near the end of my driving days for that to make sense.
Still, it'll be one less way for me to be a doddery old fart to other road users. I'll just have to content myself with being a cantankerous old pedestrian. Don't worry, I'll find a way of cocking things up for at least some of you.
jimbop1 said:
Pixelpeep said:
People drive to what speed they are comfortable at.
My old driving instructor used to say to me 'its a limit, not a target'
Drop back, wait for a good open stretch of road, drop down 2 gears, pass safely.
Ignore any commotion from recently over taken car. Move on with life
I don't agree with the at all! It's dangerous in my opinion.My old driving instructor used to say to me 'its a limit, not a target'
Drop back, wait for a good open stretch of road, drop down 2 gears, pass safely.
Ignore any commotion from recently over taken car. Move on with life
I often follow people doing 40ish on a nsl road and then quite alot of them even speed up when they get in a 40. I really don't know what goes through some people's heads.
I've just done a 5 hour journey,all motorway, and the amount of people that where doing 70 in the outside lane and then pulled over to the middle to speed up to 80 got rather infuriating!
The most annoying one though was a guy inches from my bumper, whilst I was doing late 80, I pulled over (slowly) to let him pass, he got in front and flipping slowed down!! I spent the next 30 minutes stuck behind him then!
Pixelpeep said:
more power
I find 310 is sufficient to see off most of the 45mph everywhere brigade. The problems only arise when the camel train forms with people resolutely refusing to leave adequate gaps. A multiple overtake always poses a risk on a s/c and needs a long straight with excellent visibility.Red Devil said:
Pixelpeep said:
more power
I find 310 is sufficient to see off most of the 45mph everywhere brigade. The problems only arise when the camel train forms with people resolutely refusing to leave adequate gaps. A multiple overtake always poses a risk on a s/c and needs a long straight with excellent visibility.agree completely about people not leaving 'hop points' in the line too.. some people just don't think about others.
Pixelpeep said:
Red Devil said:
Pixelpeep said:
more power
I find 310 is sufficient to see off most of the 45mph everywhere brigade. The problems only arise when the camel train forms with people resolutely refusing to leave adequate gaps. A multiple overtake always poses a risk on a s/c and needs a long straight with excellent visibility.agree completely about people not leaving 'hop points' in the line too.. some people just don't think about others.
Your logic is sound, but one thing that really pi$$is me of is some t
t pulling infront of me reducing my safe stopping distance.I was taught to drive at the speed limit, unless it's not appropriate to do so.
We have a road near us, that used to be a decent 60 mph cruise. When the airport opened it gained bollards every now and then. To make life interesting Doncaster Council did not bother with a power supply, but instead used a highly reflective finish, which works well until they get dirty.
I left home at 7AM yesterday, for a long work trip, to get stuck immediately in a 40 mph jam, with a Yaris at the front. Not impressed, but was difficult to get passed due to the queue who were too scared to overtake, the trap bollards and oncoming traffic...
We have a road near us, that used to be a decent 60 mph cruise. When the airport opened it gained bollards every now and then. To make life interesting Doncaster Council did not bother with a power supply, but instead used a highly reflective finish, which works well until they get dirty.
I left home at 7AM yesterday, for a long work trip, to get stuck immediately in a 40 mph jam, with a Yaris at the front. Not impressed, but was difficult to get passed due to the queue who were too scared to overtake, the trap bollards and oncoming traffic...
Vipers said:
So do you leave the 2 second rule gap, or leave that plus room for someone else to nip in front of you
I don't think you need to maintain an extra gap like that constantly - a sensible, normal following distance should be fine. You can always open the gap as the overtaker is passing. Or before they pass, if they're looking keen and you think it will help them.SK425 said:
Vipers said:
So do you leave the 2 second rule gap, or leave that plus room for someone else to nip in front of you
I don't think you need to maintain an extra gap like that constantly - a sensible, normal following distance should be fine. You can always open the gap as the overtaker is passing. Or before they pass, if they're looking keen and you think it will help them.I generally find that I get problems from behind due to make of car ( badge snobbery? or my perceived age?).
Yet when I get past the 40 anywhere idiot, I seldom see those that thought I was holding them up as I'm at least close to the Limit/NSL , or if I deem it safe faster. And on most roads, I find that few in most production cars can keep up with me . No boast- I've got experience on my side, I learned my craft in things like Moggy 1000 vans on West Highland single track roads and over 2.5million miles of driving. While most of those pimply faced yoofs were learning to drive,I at their age was learning to pilot an ancient vehicle by the seat of my pants on bad cambered roads ,where meeting another vehicle meant an on the spot risk assessment and where livestock on the roads was a constant risk in winter and Touriste Englisi( Kent/essex) was a summer hazard . What really gets my goat is that most of the "Speed controllers" I see are of my age. I take the view that anyone passing me has not assessed the conditions/hazards correctly and since I'm not BIB-it's not my place to interfere, unless I spot something dangerous ahead, when I will attempt to warn folks and make them aware of a dangerous situation ahead.
Yet when I get past the 40 anywhere idiot, I seldom see those that thought I was holding them up as I'm at least close to the Limit/NSL , or if I deem it safe faster. And on most roads, I find that few in most production cars can keep up with me . No boast- I've got experience on my side, I learned my craft in things like Moggy 1000 vans on West Highland single track roads and over 2.5million miles of driving. While most of those pimply faced yoofs were learning to drive,I at their age was learning to pilot an ancient vehicle by the seat of my pants on bad cambered roads ,where meeting another vehicle meant an on the spot risk assessment and where livestock on the roads was a constant risk in winter and Touriste Englisi( Kent/essex) was a summer hazard . What really gets my goat is that most of the "Speed controllers" I see are of my age. I take the view that anyone passing me has not assessed the conditions/hazards correctly and since I'm not BIB-it's not my place to interfere, unless I spot something dangerous ahead, when I will attempt to warn folks and make them aware of a dangerous situation ahead.
I too find people that drive 40/50MPH in a NSL incredibly annoying (if in a car of course). If they cannot give their driving more concentration then they should not be on the roads. I will always overtake these people when safe to do so, sometimes I can overtake 4-5 cars on a particular stretch of road.
I have a feeling that a lot of 'older' (those being 40+) people think the NSL sign means 50Mph? I'd love to find out if that was true.
I have a feeling that a lot of 'older' (those being 40+) people think the NSL sign means 50Mph? I'd love to find out if that was true.
servantleader said:
I have a feeling that a lot of 'older' (those being 40+) people think the NSL sign means 50Mph? I'd love to find out if that was true.
I'm clocking on 50 and see a speed limit sign as the designated driving speed, only to be reduced should the road be flooded, covered in ice or snow...or on rare occasions when the tarmac melts due to heat.servantleader said:
I have a feeling that a lot of 'older' (those being 40+) people think the NSL sign means 50Mph? I'd love to find out if that was true.
Oi mush 
As a mere lad of 61, I am perfectly well aware of what NSL means for all classes of vehicle.
Whilst it is certainly the case that there are some drivers out there who appear to think that the NSL is 50, I respectfully suggest that, if you think its only people who are 40+ who think that way, you get your eyesight tested to make sure you are fit to drive. It looks like my eyesight might be better than yours.
Please don't tar all 'elderly' drivers with the same brush. I'm 73 and am still a 'press on' driver in a 2007 BMW 7-Series. It cruises at 70+ on NSL roads and I cruise it at 85 to 90 indicated on motorways when clear. I also still fly aeroplanes and only stopped competitive rallying a couple of years ago (due to my pension not running to rally costs these days).
And yes, I also get frustrated by these young (to me anyway) drivers blocking the roads at 45 to 50.
And yes, I also get frustrated by these young (to me anyway) drivers blocking the roads at 45 to 50.
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