The spread of 20 mph zones
Discussion
What's the big deal about driving at 20 in built up areas? A 20 mph limit seems to me to make sense on streets with houses, shops, parked cars and so on. We have got used to 30, but that was a limit plucked arbitrarily from the air back when there was less traffic and cars didn't all weigh 947 tons. Hoon outside town.
Always seemed pointless to me, no one else seems to abide by them (I do, secondly because there are speed bumps and I like having teeth and suspension) given the mere inches people hang off your bumper if you dare to do 20mph.
I wish my street was a 20mph zone given the number of kids on bikes that seem oblivious to road safety but even if it was people would still no doubt complete the course in only 12 parsecs.
I wish my street was a 20mph zone given the number of kids on bikes that seem oblivious to road safety but even if it was people would still no doubt complete the course in only 12 parsecs.
Breadvan72 said:
What's the big deal about driving at 20 in built up areas? A 20 mph limit seems to me to make sense on streets with houses, shops, parked cars and so on. We have got used to 30, but that was a limit plucked arbitrarily from the air back when there was less traffic and cars didn't all weigh 947 tons. Hoon outside town.
All limits were plucked arbitrarily from the air when cars had s
tty tires and stty brakes and folded up like coke cans when they hit something. Given the trend in KSIs and accident rates they should surely go up by that argument 
It wouldn't be a big deal if there was a sensible attitude being applied, instead of just constantly ratcheting the limit down everywhere. 30 down to 20 here, a 60 down to 50 there, a 70 down to 60 there. Boiling frogs....
Whats the deal with 20 rather than 30? It costs me money - sat in second as opposed to 3rd. It takes me longer to get anywhere - even in the middle of the night (1/3 longer across the city) and it removes the speed differential between cars and bikes - which is irritating and dangerous.
35 in town would be my ideal limit - bottom of 4th gear, decent progress, slow enough that you can see hazards developing well in advance and fast enough to teach children to respect the difference between the play ground and the road - like I was, as a kid.
35 in town would be my ideal limit - bottom of 4th gear, decent progress, slow enough that you can see hazards developing well in advance and fast enough to teach children to respect the difference between the play ground and the road - like I was, as a kid.
GrumpyTwig said:
Always seemed pointless to me, no one else seems to abide by them (I do, secondly because there are speed bumps and I like having teeth and suspension) given the mere inches people hang off your bumper if you dare to do 20mph.
I wish my street was a 20mph zone given the number of kids on bikes that seem oblivious to road safety but even if it was people would still no doubt complete the course in only 12 parsecs.
Only 12 parsecs? That's one LONG 20mph zone. I wish my street was a 20mph zone given the number of kids on bikes that seem oblivious to road safety but even if it was people would still no doubt complete the course in only 12 parsecs.
Matthen said:
Whats the deal with 20 rather than 30? It costs me money - sat in second as opposed to 3rd. It takes me longer to get anywhere - even in the middle of the night (1/3 longer across the city) and it removes the speed differential between cars and bikes - which is irritating and dangerous.
35 in town would be my ideal limit - bottom of 4th gear, decent progress, slow enough that you can see hazards developing well in advance and fast enough to teach children to respect the difference between the play ground and the road - like I was, as a kid.
You mean you think you'd have enough time to see hazards?35 in town would be my ideal limit - bottom of 4th gear, decent progress, slow enough that you can see hazards developing well in advance and fast enough to teach children to respect the difference between the play ground and the road - like I was, as a kid.
And is that all hazards i.e. spanning from a tentative learner pulling out of a side-street 50m in front of you to a child running out in front of the car a mere 10m in front of you?
Thinking about roads I know which have 20mph limits in place, 35mph would be too fast to be driving safely along, regardless of how God like you are as a driver.
GrumpyTwig said:
.
I wish my street was a 20mph zone given the number of kids on bikes that seem oblivious to road safety but even if it was people would still no doubt complete the course in only 12 parsecs.
Option is yours,and others. The 30 is a limit, not a target. If there's lots of hazards, slow down. Folk hanging on to your bumper- slow down. The problem is that we're now getting a looney backlash to those that see a 30 limit and drive to it when it's obviously not safe. My street is a 20, but most times during the day the kids are out in force treating it as a play street, so 20 is IMHO,way too fast given the volume of parked cars, the gap between due to the street being narrow. I wish my street was a 20mph zone given the number of kids on bikes that seem oblivious to road safety but even if it was people would still no doubt complete the course in only 12 parsecs.
Is blanket limits which annoy me and in some places with parked cars and kids I.would be doing 20mph even if it was 30, unfortunately most people are feckwits who can't engage their brain.
The police have apparently enforced this road below which is 20 but really shouldn't be, the times I've done 20 on it I've been overtaken...
Hope the link works using my phone!
http://maps.gstatic.com/m/streetview/?layer=c&...
The police have apparently enforced this road below which is 20 but really shouldn't be, the times I've done 20 on it I've been overtaken...
Hope the link works using my phone!
http://maps.gstatic.com/m/streetview/?layer=c&...
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Probably will get my PH membership cancelled, but I have no problem with 20mph limits in built up areas. Don't see what the fuss is all about.
Because it's an arse at 3 o'clock in the morning or any other time when no-one's around.Observe a current 30 limit. Where 20mph is necessary, most drivers are doing 20, even though the limit is 30.
The ones who aren't will not be persuaded to reduce their speed by a sign on a pole.
Therefore is pointless, unless you consider making councillors feel important is important.
Breadvan72 said:
What's the big deal about driving at 20 in built up areas? A 20 mph limit seems to me to make sense on streets with houses, shops, parked cars and so on. We have got used to 30, but that was a limit plucked arbitrarily from the air back when there was less traffic and cars didn't all weigh 947 tons. Hoon outside town.
When people keep getting knocked over, 10 limits will be next.Martin_Hx said:
Is blanket limits which annoy me and in some places with parked cars and kids I.would be doing 20mph even if it was 30, unfortunately most people are feckwits who can't engage their brain.
The police have apparently enforced this road below which is 20 but really shouldn't be, the times I've done 20 on it I've been overtaken...
Hope the link works using my phone!
http://maps.gstatic.com/m/streetview/?layer=c&...
There are stops from the park directly onto that road without a pavement. If the LA had any money they should be moving those steps.The police have apparently enforced this road below which is 20 but really shouldn't be, the times I've done 20 on it I've been overtaken...
Hope the link works using my phone!
http://maps.gstatic.com/m/streetview/?layer=c&...
Completely stupid and a waste of time!
30 limits are just that, it isn't the minimum speed one must be travelling at but the maximum. It's down to the driver to decide if that's appropriate or not and slow down if necessary
The nannying and dumbing down in this country is getting ridiculous.
30 limits are just that, it isn't the minimum speed one must be travelling at but the maximum. It's down to the driver to decide if that's appropriate or not and slow down if necessary
The nannying and dumbing down in this country is getting ridiculous.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff