Exceed the speed limit? Ever?
Discussion
I’m interested in the attitude of IAM and RoSPA to exceeding the speed limit. No of course I do know that exceeding the speed limit is against the law and that if one is caught speeding then you are liable to be punished, and shouldn't complain about it.
However, although some would say that exceeding the speed limit is always dangerous, that is not my view nor is it the view of many people more experienced and qualified than I am on matters of road safety. In his excellent book, Reg Local is quite clear that although he will obey the posted litmus, that he is prepared to regard the “derestricted” sign as being just that and if safe to do so will travel faster than the current 60/70 limit.
I am inclined to agree with Reg. I think that the important part of what I have written is “if safe to do so” and so I am exploring getting further driver training to help me ascertain when it is safe. I want to have the skills to assess the situation myself.
Now a representative of the IAM has said that in they view there are no circumstances when it is safe to exceed the NSL, so I am in so doubt as to how much their training will help.
Does anyone know what the attitude of RoSPA is?
Surely the mark of a truly advanced driver should be that they are always travelling at a speed which is safe, regardless of what the arbitrary speed limit is?
However, although some would say that exceeding the speed limit is always dangerous, that is not my view nor is it the view of many people more experienced and qualified than I am on matters of road safety. In his excellent book, Reg Local is quite clear that although he will obey the posted litmus, that he is prepared to regard the “derestricted” sign as being just that and if safe to do so will travel faster than the current 60/70 limit.
I am inclined to agree with Reg. I think that the important part of what I have written is “if safe to do so” and so I am exploring getting further driver training to help me ascertain when it is safe. I want to have the skills to assess the situation myself.
Now a representative of the IAM has said that in they view there are no circumstances when it is safe to exceed the NSL, so I am in so doubt as to how much their training will help.
Does anyone know what the attitude of RoSPA is?
Surely the mark of a truly advanced driver should be that they are always travelling at a speed which is safe, regardless of what the arbitrary speed limit is?
On thing that concerns me particularly is overtaking on a NSL road.
Say that one is behind a truck travelling at its limited speed of 56mph on the straights, and much slower around corners.
According to the man from the IAM one should wait to overtake until there is a long enough, clear straight to pass the truck at 59mph. thats is going to be a very long straight. I am going to be holding up motorists behind who are waiting for me to overtake or forcing them to overtake both me and the truck, possibly not always as sensibly as one might wish. By being an "advanced driver" I might be creating a problem for other drivers.
Plus , during that overtake I will be having to pay significant attention to my speedometer, rather than concentrating properly upon what is happening outside the car.
Surely in a common sense world it would be better to overtake this truck with a firm burst of acceleration to go past it in the shortest possible time, spending the minimum time on the opposite carriage way. (I know from his book that Reg doesn't like to refer to the "wrong" side).
If the IAM are teaching people to only overtake within the speed limits then they are helping to create the culture which results in these long processions of vehicles trundling along our roads.
Say that one is behind a truck travelling at its limited speed of 56mph on the straights, and much slower around corners.
According to the man from the IAM one should wait to overtake until there is a long enough, clear straight to pass the truck at 59mph. thats is going to be a very long straight. I am going to be holding up motorists behind who are waiting for me to overtake or forcing them to overtake both me and the truck, possibly not always as sensibly as one might wish. By being an "advanced driver" I might be creating a problem for other drivers.
Plus , during that overtake I will be having to pay significant attention to my speedometer, rather than concentrating properly upon what is happening outside the car.
Surely in a common sense world it would be better to overtake this truck with a firm burst of acceleration to go past it in the shortest possible time, spending the minimum time on the opposite carriage way. (I know from his book that Reg doesn't like to refer to the "wrong" side).
If the IAM are teaching people to only overtake within the speed limits then they are helping to create the culture which results in these long processions of vehicles trundling along our roads.
Is there any argument for automatically observing the NSL on any grounds other than because it happens to be the law? (That is of course a valid reason but it has nothing to do with whether that speed is safe or not.)
The NSL is of course completely arbitrary, there is nothing special about a speed of 60mph below which one is safe and above it becomes dangerous.
I find is very disappointing that IAM and RoSPA do not take a more nuanced view. Of course the law should be respected but an individual can choose to disregard it and take punishment if caught, but surely organisation that want to improve driving standards should be equipping people with the skills, knowledge and attitude to make sound decisions about what speed is safe to travel at regardless of arbitrary limits.
Otherwise they are just contributing to the culture which says "as long as I'm driving below the speed limit I'm driving safely", regardless of how there are driving and how much attention they are paying. It's my view that inattentive driving is mare more of a risk to others than an engaged and concentrating driver who may be travelling at higher speed than a arbitrary limit.
The NSL is of course completely arbitrary, there is nothing special about a speed of 60mph below which one is safe and above it becomes dangerous.
I find is very disappointing that IAM and RoSPA do not take a more nuanced view. Of course the law should be respected but an individual can choose to disregard it and take punishment if caught, but surely organisation that want to improve driving standards should be equipping people with the skills, knowledge and attitude to make sound decisions about what speed is safe to travel at regardless of arbitrary limits.
Otherwise they are just contributing to the culture which says "as long as I'm driving below the speed limit I'm driving safely", regardless of how there are driving and how much attention they are paying. It's my view that inattentive driving is mare more of a risk to others than an engaged and concentrating driver who may be travelling at higher speed than a arbitrary limit.
Pan Pan Pan said:
Just checked several driving test web sites, including those of advanced driving courses, and it seems that driving at 10mph or more below a posted limit is considered to be driving without due care and attention to other road users.
One of the driving test websites stated that where road and weather conditions allow, a driver should always try to drive at the posted limit.
That's interesting; have you got the links - it would be good to see theseOne of the driving test websites stated that where road and weather conditions allow, a driver should always try to drive at the posted limit.
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