Hmmm - think this says it all
Discussion
Just been on a driving course with a Class 1 policeman - in nutshell, he explained, at my own risk, he didn't have a problem with "using the power of the car" when overtaking and on the "open road". If I got caught "he wasn't there" I did decline and kept in legal but ...
... here I am, with a (serving) copper at the side of me saying he had no issues with me ignoring the speed limit if it was safe, so that in my mind proves quite nicely that this bo****ks of speed kills/ cameras etc... is just that - bo****ks. At last, someone who spoke sense. Niw if they actually solved the problem - ie. driver education ...
Another copper (who shall remain nameless - in fact a police instructor) was speaking to my dad and openly admitted cameras were purly for cash, and usually, didn't work, blanket speed limits (eg. drop from 60 to 40) were knee jerk reactions and that everyone should after a basic test have to do some level of further training - me thinks he got it right.
Martin
... here I am, with a (serving) copper at the side of me saying he had no issues with me ignoring the speed limit if it was safe, so that in my mind proves quite nicely that this bo****ks of speed kills/ cameras etc... is just that - bo****ks. At last, someone who spoke sense. Niw if they actually solved the problem - ie. driver education ...
Another copper (who shall remain nameless - in fact a police instructor) was speaking to my dad and openly admitted cameras were purly for cash, and usually, didn't work, blanket speed limits (eg. drop from 60 to 40) were knee jerk reactions and that everyone should after a basic test have to do some level of further training - me thinks he got it right.
Martin
pmanson said:
When I did my Advanced driving, I was told that it was 30 in a 30 and 40 in a 40 after that it was fair game!
A rule which I stick to even now!
A couple of very experienced traffic officers said similar to me. Where there is a "signed" limit stick to it, where it's NSL make a bit more progress if safe.
The problem, in this area anyway, is that a lot of 30 & 40 limits were NSL until recently, on roads which are no more dangerous than previously and in some cases, due to road improvements, safer.
It is particularly galling to have to crawl along at these unrealistic limits with all your attention focused on scameras knowing that just months or weeks before twice as fast was safe!
It is particularly galling to have to crawl along at these unrealistic limits with all your attention focused on scameras knowing that just months or weeks before twice as fast was safe!
A Coroner in Lincolnshire, recording an accidental death involving a lone motorist on a rural road, placed the blame squarely at the feet of the Council who had placed a bizarre 30 limit on the very straight road. He stated that, at 30 mph, the driver was travelling far too slowly to be bothered to concentrate, resulting in him 'daydreaming' and leaving the road to drown in a drainage dyke.
That was five years ago - the 30 limit still stands and speed camera warning signs have been added. Four other motorists have had lone incidents on this bit of road, though none have yet died...
Says it all really, does it not?
That was five years ago - the 30 limit still stands and speed camera warning signs have been added. Four other motorists have had lone incidents on this bit of road, though none have yet died...
Says it all really, does it not?
Norfolk and Suffolk are experts in abusing speed limits. They love these out-of-town 30s that are eroding everyone's respect.
Another excellent scheme they use to increase speeds through built up areas is to extend the 30 way beyond where they should be. So people slow down, drive for a bit feeling like they've been had again, then speed up just in time to pass the actual hazardous stretch. It's a stroke of genius when you think about it.
But as if that's not enough, the 30mph limit on a stretch of rural A11 trunkroad at least a mile before these roadworks was their finest example yet...
SM
Another excellent scheme they use to increase speeds through built up areas is to extend the 30 way beyond where they should be. So people slow down, drive for a bit feeling like they've been had again, then speed up just in time to pass the actual hazardous stretch. It's a stroke of genius when you think about it.
But as if that's not enough, the 30mph limit on a stretch of rural A11 trunkroad at least a mile before these roadworks was their finest example yet...
SM
so if caught/stopped would a traffic bib be happy to discuss the merits of your driving based on the course attended or just nick you anyway
hopefully discuss and point put any errors observed from behind - providing nothing silly had been done - tailgating, overtakes on solid white lines etc
hopefully discuss and point put any errors observed from behind - providing nothing silly had been done - tailgating, overtakes on solid white lines etc
deeps said:
Couldn't agree more gog, there are some totaly crazy 30's and 40's around here (somerset), most of the A38 used to be NSL, now it's shaggin 30!
There's another stretch near Highbridge that's going down to 40 this week. The NSL will soon be shaggin 40!
I think that's the stated agenda of many "road safety" groups.
lightstepper said:
When I did my Advanced driving, I was told that it was 30 in a 30 and 40 in a 40 after that it was fair game!
A rule which I stick to even now!
Always have done ever since I have started driving. Tis a good rule.
Same here, 30's and 40's are usually there for a good reason, even if they are safer to go quicker, THATS where you'll be caught, safe speed in a slow limit.
Not sure about some 50's now, and some 40's that went to 30's, but hey, plenty of decent national roads that are quiet to make progress on so I'm not complaining! Just keep ya eyes open for the "lets pretend" road safety brigade with their LTI20/20 whatnots
Dave
>> Edited by Mr Whippy on Wednesday 18th January 10:16
deeps said:
Couldn't agree more gog, there are some totaly crazy 30's and 40's around here (somerset), most of the A38 used to be NSL, now it's shaggin 30!
There's another stretch near Highbridge that's going down to 40 this week. The NSL will soon be shaggin 40!
I agree entirely. I'm in exactly the same area as you deeps - which stretch are you referring to? I know the road between Highbridge and E. Huntspill is now ridiculously slow.
As an aside - I see you had a 300ZXTT - So did I - peach of a car.
MGBGT said:
A Coroner in Lincolnshire, recording an accidental death involving a lone motorist on a rural road, placed the blame squarely at the feet of the Council who had placed a bizarre 30 limit on the very straight road. He stated that, at 30 mph, the driver was travelling far too slowly to be bothered to concentrate, resulting in him 'daydreaming' and leaving the road to drown in a drainage dyke.
That was five years ago - the 30 limit still stands and speed camera warning signs have been added. Four other motorists have had lone incidents on this bit of road, though none have yet died...
Says it all really, does it not?
Very true!
I wonder what would have happened if it were on another piece of road and the coroner said he were travelling too fast for the conditions...
lightstepper said:
When I did my Advanced driving, I was told that it was 30 in a 30 and 40 in a 40 after that it was fair game!
A rule which I stick to even now!
Always have done ever since I have started driving. Tis a good rule.
It's not a good rule anymore, not with newly lowered limits - lowered to absurd levels which nobody with any sense can respect.
hanse cronje said:In my experience? Yes, absolutely.
so if caught/stopped would a traffic bib be happy to discuss the merits of your driving based on the course attended or just nick you anyway
Got pulled about 5 months ago near work showing a colleague my then new 500SL. I was probably doing 50-55 in a 30. My bad - I thought it was a 40.
The BiB pulled me over and we had a good chat. I apologised profusely for not knowing the limit and explained the car was quite new to me. This tallied with the PNC lookup they'd clearly done as they called me by my surname.
And this, my friends is the difference between a friendly copper in a car, and some embittered socialist in a Scamera Van.
Discretion.
MGBGT said:
A Coroner in Lincolnshire, recording an accidental death involving a lone motorist on a rural road, placed the blame squarely at the feet of the Council who had placed a bizarre 30 limit on the very straight road. He stated that, at 30 mph, the driver was travelling far too slowly to be bothered to concentrate, resulting in him 'daydreaming' and leaving the road to drown in a drainage dyke.
That was five years ago - the 30 limit still stands and speed camera warning signs have been added. Four other motorists have had lone incidents on this bit of road, though none have yet died...
Says it all really, does it not?
Very true!
I wonder what would have happened if it were on another piece of road and the coroner said he were travelling too fast for the conditions...
mph999 said:
Just been on a driving course with a Class 1 policeman - in nutshell, he explained, at my own risk, he didn't have a problem with "using the power of the car" when overtaking and on the "open road". If I got caught "he wasn't there" I did decline and kept in legal but ...
... here I am, with a (serving) copper at the side of me saying he had no issues with me ignoring the speed limit if it was safe, so that in my mind proves quite nicely that this bo****ks of speed kills/ cameras etc... is just that - bo****ks. At last, someone who spoke sense. Niw if they actually solved the problem - ie. driver education ...
Another copper (who shall remain nameless - in fact a police instructor) was speaking to my dad and openly admitted cameras were purly for cash, and usually, didn't work, blanket speed limits (eg. drop from 60 to 40) were knee jerk reactions and that everyone should after a basic test have to do some level of further training - me thinks he got it right.
Martin
I remember a similar argument with Steve Callagan who said, "what do you know, are you some kind of expert? speed cameras are supported by the Police, they are the experts"
the defence rests m'lud
The speed limits get changed down as the local authorities don't have to spend as much money on the upkeep of roads with lower limits. My understanding is that they are required to spend a certain amount each year on say a NSL road whereas the same road as a 50 will save them £££. Allegedly Surrey did this a couple of years ago and saved a mint.
There is the added bonus for them of course that their 'safety camera partnerships' then get even more money from unsuspecting motorists !
There is the added bonus for them of course that their 'safety camera partnerships' then get even more money from unsuspecting motorists !
Worrying, as roads do seem to be getting worse and worse.
I mentioned to my brother about poor roads probably now causing accidents as people try to avoid potholes, loose control, or can't break effectively over the poor surface.
Makes sense for them to lower limits so they can basically get away with poor roads, which again will just cost lives as people will still speed and ignore the limits now and again, and when they do it's the sub-standard road affecting the ability to avoid collisions!
Dave
I mentioned to my brother about poor roads probably now causing accidents as people try to avoid potholes, loose control, or can't break effectively over the poor surface.
Makes sense for them to lower limits so they can basically get away with poor roads, which again will just cost lives as people will still speed and ignore the limits now and again, and when they do it's the sub-standard road affecting the ability to avoid collisions!
Dave
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