RE: Speed Limits Ignored
Thursday 20th May 2004
Speed Limits Ignored
Extra enforcement is not altering the speed at which we drive. Latest stats show we're driving even faster on the motorways.
Figures released today by the The Department for Transport throw a spanner in the works of the anti-speeding campaigns currently being forced on motorists nationwide.
A new report details the speeds at which drivers choose to drive in free-flow conditions generally across the road network.
Despite the millions of pounds spent on speed enforcement, it would appear that drivers haven't paid any heed.
The latest figures show that the proportion of motorists exceeding the speed limit in 2003 hardly changed from 2002 despite the proliferation of speed enforcement measures.
The main features of the new statistics released today are: On roads with 30mph Limits- 58% of cars exceeded that limit in 2003 compared with 59% in 2002
- 25% travelled faster than 35 mph, the same as in 2002.
- 29% of motorcycles were travelling at more than 35 mph compared with 24% per cent in 2002
- The survey also reveals a high incidence of speeding by heavy goods vehicles on built-up 30 mph roads: 53 per cent of 2-axle heavy goods vehicles exceeded the speed limit, 21 per cent by more than 5 mph.
On other roads (non-built-up)
- The proportion of cars exceeding the speed limit on motorways, which averaged 55% 1998 and 2002, rose to 57% per cent in 2003.
- The proportion travelling faster than 80 mph also rose slightly, from about 18%between 1998 and 2002 to 20% in 2003.
- On major, non-built-up single carriageway roads, 74% of articulated HGVs were exceeding their 40 mph limit (23% by more than 10 mph).
Discussion
It's inevitable really, by putting cameras everywhere and sending out the troops with Lasers and the likes there aren't many people out there without points.
Unlike the Drink Drive campaign we used to get on the telly which made drink driving socially unexceptable, points for speed are the norm, even old ladies have them.
So people take the chance by speeding, most think they know the loopholes or the safe max without being stopped and hence carry on regardless. So what! 3 points £60, doesn't make any real difference on insurance so no need to worry until you get to 9!
IMHO if they don't do something about the current speed limits and current detection methods, they will never achieve the same impact the Drink drive campaign had.
On the subject of the Drink drive campaign, I also think this needs reintroducing. I see more and more people on the road who are blatantly over the limit. I ring up and report it when possible but you have to be careful not to get done for talking on the mobile these days!
Unlike the Drink Drive campaign we used to get on the telly which made drink driving socially unexceptable, points for speed are the norm, even old ladies have them.
So people take the chance by speeding, most think they know the loopholes or the safe max without being stopped and hence carry on regardless. So what! 3 points £60, doesn't make any real difference on insurance so no need to worry until you get to 9!
IMHO if they don't do something about the current speed limits and current detection methods, they will never achieve the same impact the Drink drive campaign had.
On the subject of the Drink drive campaign, I also think this needs reintroducing. I see more and more people on the road who are blatantly over the limit. I ring up and report it when possible but you have to be careful not to get done for talking on the mobile these days!
I think speeds on the motorways in Yorkshire and Humberside where I spend many happy hours (?!) are coming down, as my indicated 85 (Road Angel shows 77) puts me as one of the faster drivers. Sometime ago I used to be in the slipstream of many people making progress.
The joys of modern motoring - I wonder if there are now more accidents through drivers falling asleep - a steady speed is very soporific
The joys of modern motoring - I wonder if there are now more accidents through drivers falling asleep - a steady speed is very soporific
I have found that with the camera's, I do watch my speed more about towns, villages etc,
but once free on open road, I am now more inclined to open up.
I fully understand and support strict limits around schools etc but equally, I do feel there
is also a time and place for speed and with moderation, it's not only on the track.
I'm not looking to drive everywhere at 140, but I would like to see a more even
system applied here as in other countries.
but once free on open road, I am now more inclined to open up.
I fully understand and support strict limits around schools etc but equally, I do feel there
is also a time and place for speed and with moderation, it's not only on the track.
I'm not looking to drive everywhere at 140, but I would like to see a more even
system applied here as in other countries.
)lanciachris said:
Interesting about the hgvs speeding more, something that Ive noticed more since i moved to somerset. They seem to cruise through 30 limits at 40. Cant think of any sensible reason for this.
HGV's want to maintain a constant 'cruise' as best as possible I would have thought to avoid having to run through all 300 gear changes required in slowing down and speeding up.
As GCerbera touched on I think it could be as a result of the amount of hold ups on motorways and roads. If you are stuck in traffic for ages and frustrated the natural reaction once it clears is to put your foot down to make up 'lost time'. Purely anecdotal but my view nevertheless.
it should be dependant on car and driver! we need a system where we have discs on reg places.... driver rations A - G and car ratings 1 - 10
pro race driver in a F575 - A1
PHer in a TVR C3
Old man in a fiesta G9
and so on! This way the BiB could instantly tell if someone was capapble of doing 120 safely on a motorway!
anyone in C3 or above should be given mirror readable stickers saying "MOVE OVER OR FACE THE WRATH OF THE LORD!"
pro race driver in a F575 - A1
PHer in a TVR C3
Old man in a fiesta G9
and so on! This way the BiB could instantly tell if someone was capapble of doing 120 safely on a motorway!
anyone in C3 or above should be given mirror readable stickers saying "MOVE OVER OR FACE THE WRATH OF THE LORD!"
ashes said:
I think speeds on the motorways in Yorkshire and Humberside where I spend many happy hours (?!) are coming down, as my indicated 85 (Road Angel shows 77) puts me as one of the faster drivers. Sometime ago I used to be in the slipstream of many people making progress.
The joys of modern motoring - I wonder if there are now more accidents through drivers falling asleep - a steady speed is very soporific
How very true! I drove in California in the 1980's when the 55-60mph was in force. Same cars all around you, 5 hrs later. In the end: "it was the road that was moving - not the cars."
VERY soporific! leading to inatention and total detatchment of the driver from reality.
I fear that our motorways are now becoming the same.
When EVERYONE is driving at 70mph, watch out for increased accidents!
Any 70mph, camera loving plod reading this please take note and remember, when the above happens.
On a personal plea, PLEASE! raise the motorway speed limit to AT LEAST 80 mph, so that I can get my car into TOP GEAR!
Do you really think these stats throw a spanner into the efforts of anti-speeding campaigners? Get real. The news will simply make them re-double their efforts! More cameras! More cameras AND more traffic cops!
The supporters of the anti-speeding status quo are zealots who believe that speeders are sinners that need to be punished, and punished, and punished, until they're either driven off the road or crawling down it like a half-blind pensioner.
Face facts: you'd have an easier time trying to deprogram a Jehovah's Witness at your doorstep than convince the cops and government to relenquish their no-armed bandits.
Listen up! The only way you're going to get rid of the UK's fatwa against motorists is to either A) take direct action against the cameras and/or the administrative system supporting them or B) throw the bums out. To do THAT you'll have to reform a political system run for and by the Oxbridge elite. Good luck.
The supporters of the anti-speeding status quo are zealots who believe that speeders are sinners that need to be punished, and punished, and punished, until they're either driven off the road or crawling down it like a half-blind pensioner.
Face facts: you'd have an easier time trying to deprogram a Jehovah's Witness at your doorstep than convince the cops and government to relenquish their no-armed bandits.
Listen up! The only way you're going to get rid of the UK's fatwa against motorists is to either A) take direct action against the cameras and/or the administrative system supporting them or B) throw the bums out. To do THAT you'll have to reform a political system run for and by the Oxbridge elite. Good luck.
Give me a break, I will continue to speed regardless. Its my right as a free citizen to do as I please, as long as I do not hurt anyone. If I do hurt someone, then deal with me, I am prepared to pay the consequences!!!!!!!!!! This is statement, not a point to be agrued, my stance will remain as is..............
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