Caught doing 120mph on the motorway
Discussion
LocoCoco said:
So, when you're driving along, how accurately can you lot judge your speed without looking at the speedo?
I can get within 5mph but I always work it out by engine noise and remembering which gear I'm in. By just looking at the scenery I wouldn't be confident of guessing very closely at all (above 80mph lets say, it's a lot easier to judge the speed limits since I'm forced to practice that). This is what makes me believe that driving a quiet car, with a linear power output would make it even tougher to judge speed.
Have you ever driven at 120 mph?I can get within 5mph but I always work it out by engine noise and remembering which gear I'm in. By just looking at the scenery I wouldn't be confident of guessing very closely at all (above 80mph lets say, it's a lot easier to judge the speed limits since I'm forced to practice that). This is what makes me believe that driving a quiet car, with a linear power output would make it even tougher to judge speed.
Edited by LocoCoco on Thursday 2nd July 09:34
Believe me, you know you're driving a lot faster than normal, just from how quickly the white lines in the middle of the road flash by, even if there's no other traffic.
Most UK drivers would consider 80 mph as "making progress", at 120 mph you pass them like they're standing still.
As I said above, I could tell I was being driven at a high rate of knots from the back seat of a German Mercedes Taxi, despite a very restricted view of the road and the ride being perfectly smooth. When I leaned forward to check the speedo, we were doing around 115 mph, so I promptly put my seatbelt on (not something I usually bother with for a short trip in a UK taxi).
popeyewhite said:
LoonR1 said:
What are you going on about.
Don't you recognise your own posts? I'm really sorry I've compromised your male pride by suggesting your M3 (masterpiece ffs) is torqueless, but you need to see my comment in the context it was said: That's it's quite possible when driving a new fast car to be surprised by its speed. This is more likely in a German luxury car with lots of torque, not an M3, something like an M5 or AMG of some description. Please, I know this won't be easy but try not to see this comment as a personal attack on your car - or your mates GTR - or your big fast motorbike, the fact is they're not relevant to the topic under discussion.
Where I'm confused is that you're telling us so clearly about a new M5 and with such an air of authority that I thought I'd see in practice what could be done in my car and then a car that is a lot quicker than an M5 and you've now said you don't own an M5.
So what car do you own, or is your opinion coming straight out of a car magazine?
Edited by LoonR1 on Thursday 2nd July 10:24
To stay firmly off topic, like someone posted above, a freeway on-ramp was the first time I gave a new car full throttle for more than a few seconds. What with watching the traffic and the car being unfamiliar, I ended up travelling a fair bit faster than expected, (but nowhere near 120 mph).
It only happened the once, and was not effortless at all, I just misjudged how fast the car would pick up speed. I am sure it's happened to a few of us the first time at full throttle in a new, more powerful car. Hardly accidental though.
It only happened the once, and was not effortless at all, I just misjudged how fast the car would pick up speed. I am sure it's happened to a few of us the first time at full throttle in a new, more powerful car. Hardly accidental though.
youngsyr said:
LocoCoco said:
So, when you're driving along, how accurately can you lot judge your speed without looking at the speedo?
I can get within 5mph but I always work it out by engine noise and remembering which gear I'm in. By just looking at the scenery I wouldn't be confident of guessing very closely at all (above 80mph lets say, it's a lot easier to judge the speed limits since I'm forced to practice that). This is what makes me believe that driving a quiet car, with a linear power output would make it even tougher to judge speed.
Have you ever driven at 120 mph?I can get within 5mph but I always work it out by engine noise and remembering which gear I'm in. By just looking at the scenery I wouldn't be confident of guessing very closely at all (above 80mph lets say, it's a lot easier to judge the speed limits since I'm forced to practice that). This is what makes me believe that driving a quiet car, with a linear power output would make it even tougher to judge speed.
Edited by LocoCoco on Thursday 2nd July 09:34
Believe me, you know you're driving a lot faster than normal, just from how quickly the white lines in the middle of the road flash by, even if there's no other traffic.
Most UK drivers would consider 80 mph as "making progress", at 120 mph you pass them like they're standing still.
As I said above, I could tell I was being driven at a high rate of knots from the back seat of a German Mercedes Taxi, despite a very restricted view of the road and the ride being perfectly smooth. When I leaned forward to check the speedo, we were doing around 115 mph, so I promptly put my seatbelt on (not something I usually bother with for a short trip in a UK taxi).
I'm picturing somebody in a new car or hire car. They join a motorway, no other cars around, accelerate to a speed that feels like their normal cruising speed after a couple of minutes they look down, thinking they're doing 85-90, only to discover they're doing 120mph. I don't think that scenario is too far fetched and also don't see it as dangerous driving or that the driver shouldn't have a licence.
I'd understand if you found it dangerous/banworthy though.
LocoCoco said:
.
I'm picturing somebody in a new car or hire car. They join a motorway, no other cars around, accelerate to a speed that feels like their normal cruising speed after a couple of minutes they look down, thinking they're doing 85-90, only to discover they're doing 120mph. I don't think that scenario is too far fetched and also don't see it as dangerous driving or that the driver shouldn't have a licence.
I'd understand if you found it dangerous/banworthy though.
You still miss the point. You might be driving Thrust SSC or some other wonder machine. The fact is other people aren't. Most are tootling along in their own little bubble. The level of concentration needed to drive at 120mph on the Uk's roads means your ALWAYS aware you're going at that speed. I'm picturing somebody in a new car or hire car. They join a motorway, no other cars around, accelerate to a speed that feels like their normal cruising speed after a couple of minutes they look down, thinking they're doing 85-90, only to discover they're doing 120mph. I don't think that scenario is too far fetched and also don't see it as dangerous driving or that the driver shouldn't have a licence.
I'd understand if you found it dangerous/banworthy though.
Elroy Blue said:
LocoCoco said:
.
I'm picturing somebody in a new car or hire car. They join a motorway, no other cars around, accelerate to a speed that feels like their normal cruising speed after a couple of minutes they look down, thinking they're doing 85-90, only to discover they're doing 120mph. I don't think that scenario is too far fetched and also don't see it as dangerous driving or that the driver shouldn't have a licence.
I'd understand if you found it dangerous/banworthy though.
You still miss the point. You might be driving Thrust SSC or some other wonder machine. The fact is other people aren't. Most are tootling along in their own little bubble. The level of concentration needed to drive at 120mph on the Uk's roads means your ALWAYS aware you're going at that speed. I'm picturing somebody in a new car or hire car. They join a motorway, no other cars around, accelerate to a speed that feels like their normal cruising speed after a couple of minutes they look down, thinking they're doing 85-90, only to discover they're doing 120mph. I don't think that scenario is too far fetched and also don't see it as dangerous driving or that the driver shouldn't have a licence.
I'd understand if you found it dangerous/banworthy though.
As I've said, 120mph feels totally different depending on the car. I can imagine a car where I don't have to concentrate much on stability/road surface since the car is so well planted at speed. You've missed my point but I agree that I've probably missed the "doing 120 in a blink of an eye" point .
LocoCoco said:
Well I disagree, when I'm doing 120mph, my concentration is mainly focussed on my car and the road surface since I'm not doing that speed when there's other cars around.
.
Quite a scary statement. You should be looking far, far ahead of you. .
How do you know what's around the next bend? I may not be a driving god, but I drive at 120mph + every working day and some of the statements in this thread are utter, utter nonsense.
Elroy Blue said:
LocoCoco said:
Well I disagree, when I'm doing 120mph, my concentration is mainly focussed on my car and the road surface since I'm not doing that speed when there's other cars around.
.
Quite a scary statement. You should be looking far, far ahead of you. .
How do you know what's around the next bend? I may not be a driving god, but I drive at 120mph + every working day and some of the statements in this thread are utter, utter nonsense.
Edited by LocoCoco on Thursday 2nd July 11:32
Edited by LocoCoco on Thursday 2nd July 11:42
LocoCoco said:
Welcome to the 120mph every day club.
Can I join? 
Any idiot can drive at 120. Just push the loud pedal. People do it all the time. The trick is doing it safely (and I would say those who only do it once or twice in their driving life are not safe, in the same way that just-passed-the-test drivers who first venture out on to the motorway at 70 are not safe).
LoonR1 said:
I recognise my posts, but I struggle with your responses. You've done it again here and used "masterpiece FFS" as part of your comment, as if I said it. I didn't, LaLiga did IIRC.
Sorry if the reference confused you, I thought you'd manage the link.
LoonR1 said:
Where I'm confused is that you're telling us so clearly about a new M5 and with such an air of authority that I thought I'd see in practice what could be done in my car and then a car that is a lot quicker than an M5 and you've now said you don't own an M5.
Both your M3 and your bezzie mates GTR are not luxo-barges designed to waft along the autobahn at 150 mph keeping the occupants in serene comfort. Further to run a test with your mates car and then extrapolate that to cover the rest of the population of car drivers is naive. The fact you did the test yourself and we already know you have a negative opinion on the subject under debate is laughable.
LoonR1 said:
So what car do you own, or is your opinion coming straight out of a car magazine?
A fast German luxo-barge.I'll maintain a number of people have been surprised by the power of a new car, not as a result of bad driving, but as a result of the huge power/torque of the M5/AMG marque. You say this can't happen. O.K.
popeyewhite said:
LoonR1 said:
I recognise my posts, but I struggle with your responses. You've done it again here and used "masterpiece FFS" as part of your comment, as if I said it. I didn't, LaLiga did IIRC.
Sorry if the reference confused you, I thought you'd manage the link.
LoonR1 said:
Where I'm confused is that you're telling us so clearly about a new M5 and with such an air of authority that I thought I'd see in practice what could be done in my car and then a car that is a lot quicker than an M5 and you've now said you don't own an M5.
Both your M3 and your bezzie mates GTR are not luxo-barges designed to waft along the autobahn at 150 mph keeping the occupants in serene comfort. Further to run a test with your mates car and then extrapolate that to cover the rest of the population of car drivers is naive. The fact you did the test yourself and we already know you have a negative opinion on the subject under debate is laughable.
LoonR1 said:
So what car do you own, or is your opinion coming straight out of a car magazine?
A fast German luxo-barge.I'll maintain a number of people have been surprised by the power of a new car, not as a result of bad driving, but as a result of the huge power/torque of the M5/AMG marque. You say this can't happen. O.K.
1. It didn't confuse me. If you beleive that the M3 isn't worthy of being in this discussion, then feel free to say it. I just assumed that it being 400bhp+, as per the earlier comments meant it would qualify.
2. Isn't that making my point for me? You said cars get from "80-120 in the blink of an eye", or words to that effect. That has already been proven on the thread, no matter how many times you deny it. Your point seems to be that a luxury barge will be quicker at it, than a sports car, I'm struggling with that. However, if your point is that you can do 120 without realising it, because it's so comfy in your barge, then I'd agree you can do 120. I'd disagree on the rest, any competent driver would know they are doing that speed, due to reference points, other traffic, the reaction of the car to road surface imperfections and the like. My question is this. Which are you now arguing? Doing it in the blink of an eye, doing it without realising it, as it can't be both.
3. You are being deliberately vague in your replies. Firstly it's an MB, which could be anything from a small engined A Class to an AmG Black E63 or whatever the top, top end is. It could even be a van! Then you declare it to be a "fast German luxo-barge". Why so vague? Do you think I'm going to come and steal it? Just be explicit. It won't make your argument for you either way.
4. Of course people can be surprised by the power of a car. Human reaction is to lift at that point. If they've just found out it's mega powerful, then they'll know they're doing 120. They won't go "Blimey this car is bloody fast, I'll just keep pushing the accelerator without thinking and then be taken by surprise when I'm doing 120".
popeyewhite said:
LoonR1 said:
4. Of course people can be surprised by the power of a car.
Only took 5 pages, lol.You failed to answer a single question and took a snippet out of context and that's the sum total of your response. I think I'll file you under "I'm a 16 year old who's bored in summer and have been a passenger in an E220CDi with an AMG badge" bracket.
LoonR1 said:
popeyewhite said:
LoonR1 said:
4. Of course people can be surprised by the power of a car.
Only took 5 pages, lol.You failed to answer a single question and took a snippet out of context and that's the sum total of your response. I think I'll file you under "I'm a 16 year old who's bored in summer and have been a passenger in an E220CDi with an AMG badge" bracket.
popeyewhite said:
LoonR1 said:
popeyewhite said:
LoonR1 said:
4. Of course people can be surprised by the power of a car.
Only took 5 pages, lol.You failed to answer a single question and took a snippet out of context and that's the sum total of your response. I think I'll file you under "I'm a 16 year old who's bored in summer and have been a passenger in an E220CDi with an AMG badge" bracket.
I got done on the motorway for speeding. Having read up on what they can give you I suspected a ban but the guidelines are something like:
Over 100mph, Fine based on earnings plus (7 - 56 day ban OR 6 points)
Magistrates can be presented mitigating factors that act either way eg empty motorway good conditions and not towing as opposed to busy traffic in heavy rain near a school. If you get my drift.
The fine can go from 25% to 175% of weekly income depending how bad the offence, yours would be 75% to 125% I think but don't quote me.
When I went in I anticipated about a 30 day ban plus, roughly, a £500 fine. I had a letter written to try to keep my licence but nonetheless I had taken leave to cover the impending time using the bus.
I wore a smart plain suit with plain shirt and plain tie, nothing 'fashionable or flowery' and I noticed him register this. Others in court couldn't have dressed scruffier but whether that influenced the Mag I don't know.
Once the charge was laid out, the letter read (which seemed to take an age) the Magistrate said 'do you have anything to add?'
I simply said 'I have had a clean licence up to this point, it was clearly a lapse of judgement and I apologise'
...at which he said 'well we can deal with this with points'
6pts and a £450 fine (plus victim surcharge) later and I walked back to the bus stop. I was surprised as I expected a ban but hey...
ref: http://www.mjpmotoring.co.uk/guidelines-speeding-o...
Over 100mph, Fine based on earnings plus (7 - 56 day ban OR 6 points)
Magistrates can be presented mitigating factors that act either way eg empty motorway good conditions and not towing as opposed to busy traffic in heavy rain near a school. If you get my drift.
The fine can go from 25% to 175% of weekly income depending how bad the offence, yours would be 75% to 125% I think but don't quote me.
When I went in I anticipated about a 30 day ban plus, roughly, a £500 fine. I had a letter written to try to keep my licence but nonetheless I had taken leave to cover the impending time using the bus.
I wore a smart plain suit with plain shirt and plain tie, nothing 'fashionable or flowery' and I noticed him register this. Others in court couldn't have dressed scruffier but whether that influenced the Mag I don't know.
Once the charge was laid out, the letter read (which seemed to take an age) the Magistrate said 'do you have anything to add?'
I simply said 'I have had a clean licence up to this point, it was clearly a lapse of judgement and I apologise'
...at which he said 'well we can deal with this with points'
6pts and a £450 fine (plus victim surcharge) later and I walked back to the bus stop. I was surprised as I expected a ban but hey...
ref: http://www.mjpmotoring.co.uk/guidelines-speeding-o...
Edited by Oilchange on Thursday 2nd July 15:20
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