Accelerating whilst being overtaken

[cologne2792]

Johnnytheboy said:

cmaguire said:

Johnnytheboy said:

Something to do with speed limit adherence I imagine. Not that mystifying, really.

It's one of those things where the observer affects the experiment: I'll never know, but I find it hard to imagine people doing exactly 30 then flooring it at the NSL sign if they don't think someone is there to see them do it.

That's easy. I do close to the limit in urban areas because people have houses there, they live there, they go into and out of their houses and have family members and pets that do the same. In addition there may well be businesses also operating with the associated movement of people and traffic at slow speed. It is logical and reasonable and respectful to proceed with extra caution in urban areas. Outside of those areas those same considerations generally do not exist and therefore my attitude is different.
The speed some people do is dictated by the limit that applies at that time, I choose my own speed (tempered by the consequences of capture unfortunately, as I would really prefer to be going faster).

Yes, that's broadly what I do, though I don't make a differentiation between urban areas and anywhere else.

If "urban areas" and 30 limits were the same thing, I imagine this thread wouldn't exist.



My original point seems to have caused a degree of confusion. All I am saying is that after many years and miles of driving, the phenomenon of the exact-speed-limit-obeying but rapidly accelerating/braking driver is a fairly recent one. For most of my driving career, if I followed someone through a 30 limited village at 30 on the nose, I'd be lucky if they hit 45 once NSL returned.

I assume this difference is down to speed cameras, though most of the people I see driving in this way have a whiff of 'angry dad' about them; not sure on the connection there.

I must admit I've driven for like that for the last 30 years. If I'm in a suitable vehicle I will drive to the speed limit. I won't amble and hold others up but I will certainly obey all posted speed limits. My basis for this is that I like driving and would like to carry on doing so. Driving at 30 mph in a 30 mph limit with some ambitious soul 6 inches from the rear bumper doesn't inspire confidence in their levels of intelligence and ability. When the limit ends I want to be doing 60 mph ASAP. In the South West I find and have found that many have the same approach. The ones to look out for, as mentioned earlier, are the 42 mph brigade who are oblivious to any posted limits and are at best a pain and at worst utterly lethal.