Speeding at Average Travel Speed
Discussion
OK, before we start I just want to clarify that I wasn't caught doing this.
But I'm interested on the PH view & legal view on this scenario.
A couple of weeks ago, they finally cleared these roadworks. But for quite some time, the A35 DC was having bridge work done on the route out of Poole (Upton Bypass).
This road is normally a 70 zone. However, they had closed the outside lane and brought the limit down to 30 mph more than half a mile before the lane closure. once the lane was closed, the merging traffic naturally slowed down (I think it was about 40 mph). However, while the road was DC, everybody was flouting the speed limit - I know that I was doing 60, and I don't think the average travel speed was very different at all. Observing the speed limit, in my opinion, would have posed a serious hazard. I was also taking the slip road at the first bridge they were doing, so I wasn't coming into close proximity with the workforce (if they were there). I once was behind a vehicle observing the 30 through the single carriageway portion. The cars behind me, to say the least, were unhappy (and far too close).
But I'm interested on the PH view & legal view on this scenario.
A couple of weeks ago, they finally cleared these roadworks. But for quite some time, the A35 DC was having bridge work done on the route out of Poole (Upton Bypass).
This road is normally a 70 zone. However, they had closed the outside lane and brought the limit down to 30 mph more than half a mile before the lane closure. once the lane was closed, the merging traffic naturally slowed down (I think it was about 40 mph). However, while the road was DC, everybody was flouting the speed limit - I know that I was doing 60, and I don't think the average travel speed was very different at all. Observing the speed limit, in my opinion, would have posed a serious hazard. I was also taking the slip road at the first bridge they were doing, so I wasn't coming into close proximity with the workforce (if they were there). I once was behind a vehicle observing the 30 through the single carriageway portion. The cars behind me, to say the least, were unhappy (and far too close).
Solocle said:
charltjr said:
You don't seem to have asked a question. What are you wanting an opinion on?
What speed was most appropriate to do - I have an opinion, I was wondering what the opinion of others here and the plod would be.You will get plenty of opposing opinions though
Monkeylegend said:
Difficult to know sitting at a keyboard unless you were there to experience the road/traffic/weather condition at the time.
You will get plenty of opposing opinions though
Generally dry conditions. The traffic was sometimes heavy-moderate, but all moving at this sort of speed.You will get plenty of opposing opinions though
Solocle said:
OK, before we start I just want to clarify that I wasn't caught doing this.
But I'm interested on the PH view & legal view on this scenario.
A couple of weeks ago, they finally cleared these roadworks. But for quite some time, the A35 DC was having bridge work done on the route out of Poole (Upton Bypass).
This road is normally a 70 zone. However, they had closed the outside lane and brought the limit down to 30 mph more than half a mile before the lane closure. once the lane was closed, the merging traffic naturally slowed down (I think it was about 40 mph). However, while the road was DC, everybody was flouting the speed limit - I know that I was doing 60, and I don't think the average travel speed was very different at all. Observing the speed limit, in my opinion, would have posed a serious hazard. I was also taking the slip road at the first bridge they were doing, so I wasn't coming into close proximity with the workforce (if they were there). I once was behind a vehicle observing the 30 through the single carriageway portion. The cars behind me, to say the least, were unhappy (and far too close).
Non of these "excuses" would stand up in court But I'm interested on the PH view & legal view on this scenario.
A couple of weeks ago, they finally cleared these roadworks. But for quite some time, the A35 DC was having bridge work done on the route out of Poole (Upton Bypass).
This road is normally a 70 zone. However, they had closed the outside lane and brought the limit down to 30 mph more than half a mile before the lane closure. once the lane was closed, the merging traffic naturally slowed down (I think it was about 40 mph). However, while the road was DC, everybody was flouting the speed limit - I know that I was doing 60, and I don't think the average travel speed was very different at all. Observing the speed limit, in my opinion, would have posed a serious hazard. I was also taking the slip road at the first bridge they were doing, so I wasn't coming into close proximity with the workforce (if they were there). I once was behind a vehicle observing the 30 through the single carriageway portion. The cars behind me, to say the least, were unhappy (and far too close).
This was the exact same scenario in Oxford until recently on the A40.
They applied a 30mph limit about half a mile ahead of where the two lanes of the dual carriageway converged.
How there wasn't an accident with cars coming into the 30 zone at 70 to 80mph I will never know, as some diligent motorists did slow down to 30mph. I wrote to the Councils highways department, but they weren't interested as they had £11m to waste on two roundabouts nearby instead..
They applied a 30mph limit about half a mile ahead of where the two lanes of the dual carriageway converged.
How there wasn't an accident with cars coming into the 30 zone at 70 to 80mph I will never know, as some diligent motorists did slow down to 30mph. I wrote to the Councils highways department, but they weren't interested as they had £11m to waste on two roundabouts nearby instead..
There would only be one person judged to be at fault in that scenario, and it would be the person who decided that the law didn't apply to them.
You can disagree with, complain about and try to change a speed limit, but while it's in force if you decide to disobey it then that's your responsibility and you're free to accept the consequences if caught or there's an incident.
You can disagree with, complain about and try to change a speed limit, but while it's in force if you decide to disobey it then that's your responsibility and you're free to accept the consequences if caught or there's an incident.
charltjr said:
There would only be one person judged to be at fault in that scenario, and it would be the person who decided that the law didn't apply to them.
You can disagree with, complain about and try to change a speed limit, but while it's in force if you decide to disobey it then that's your responsibility and you're free to accept the consequences if caught or there's an incident.
This is exactly what i told myself whilst being cut up by trucks, most other road users at the time and Mrs Miggins when doing the maximum permitted 40mph on a DC with the only roadworks being the limit signs last week.You can disagree with, complain about and try to change a speed limit, but while it's in force if you decide to disobey it then that's your responsibility and you're free to accept the consequences if caught or there's an incident.
I am sure that if one of these professional drivers had mis timed there moves it would have been of great comfort to my family to have known that.
Rude-boy said:
This is exactly what i told myself whilst being cut up by trucks, most other road users at the time and Mrs Miggins when doing the maximum permitted 40mph on a DC with the only roadworks being the limit signs last week.
I am sure that if one of these professional drivers had mis timed there moves it would have been of great comfort to my family to have known that.
Exactly, while the law is absolute, wouldn't the fact that to observe the limit was very likely to cause an accident be a huge mitigation in court? I'm going to do some research.I am sure that if one of these professional drivers had mis timed there moves it would have been of great comfort to my family to have known that.
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