Are we being influenced by "speed kills" ?
Discussion
I haven't either. I might have once believed it but after reading all the evidence here on the contrary I now know that it's all governmetn propaganda
Anyway HertsBiker, you've only slowed down because there are a load more cameras and you've now got 4 wheels instead of 2
- Don't try to convince us otherwise
edit: p.s. my top in a car and on a bike has been around 140 (all on my private testing ground mind you)
>> Edited by dick dastardly on Wednesday 19th November 12:06
Anyway HertsBiker, you've only slowed down because there are a load more cameras and you've now got 4 wheels instead of 2
- Don't try to convince us otherwise edit: p.s. my top in a car and on a bike has been around 140 (all on my private testing ground mind you
) >> Edited by dick dastardly on Wednesday 19th November 12:06
Up yours Richard F in Brunstrom. hertsbiker said:
Well, are we?
A year ago, it was fairly common to see "I did XXXmph and it was great" type posts. Now we don't. Has the brainwashing worked? I know I have slowed down. How about you?
C
The more and more I hear the 'Speed Kills' bull, the faster I go. And just to continue with the theme of this thread 155mph is my record on public roads in the UK, 200mph is my record in France (that was some scary sh1t, never ever again!)
Exactly, puggit. I haven't slowed down because I think it is good for my health, I've slowed down to save my wallet.
Wonder when it's all gonna stop though? effectively the speed limit is whatever the car in front is doing - so if anyone is scared to do the limit, the limit has been lowered, and with the proliferation of double-white-lines...
Next year will be one I spend on 2 wheels though, because I will have no number plate, and will be doing what the hell I want, so long as it doesn't harm anyone else.
Wonder when it's all gonna stop though? effectively the speed limit is whatever the car in front is doing - so if anyone is scared to do the limit, the limit has been lowered, and with the proliferation of double-white-lines...
Next year will be one I spend on 2 wheels though, because I will have no number plate, and will be doing what the hell I want, so long as it doesn't harm anyone else.
I doubt very much the 'speed kills' message has made much difference to the types of people that post here (thats meant in a good way, BTW!), but I suspect that most would prefer not to draw attention to the fact, it being a public forum and all. It certainly seems to be getting through to the majority though, at least judging by the way people behave whenever they get overtaken.
They are trying to make speeding as unpopular as drink driving - in my dads youth people thought nothing of getting tanked up on cider and driving home, now you're a social pariah. And rightly so, of course. How long before speeding goes the same way?
Just to add, my personal record was an indicated 160 (probably closer to 150-ish) foot-flat-to-floor in a Fiat Coupe on a very early morning M48. I also once overtook an unmarked car at 106, did lose my licence for that one, though!
These days I have to rely on my ever-increasing array of electronic equipment to enjoy my own 'personal freedom'...
They are trying to make speeding as unpopular as drink driving - in my dads youth people thought nothing of getting tanked up on cider and driving home, now you're a social pariah. And rightly so, of course. How long before speeding goes the same way?
Just to add, my personal record was an indicated 160 (probably closer to 150-ish) foot-flat-to-floor in a Fiat Coupe on a very early morning M48. I also once overtook an unmarked car at 106, did lose my licence for that one, though!
These days I have to rely on my ever-increasing array of electronic equipment to enjoy my own 'personal freedom'...
I drive at a speed which is appropriate for the circumstances...
water on the road / leaves on the road / tightness of corner / presence of side turnings / light / visibility / type of car being driven / other traffic on road / what speed I feel like doing in the circumstances, i.e my overall mood and so on.
All these things tell me what speed I drive at - a sign telling me of a fixed maximum over a long and varying stretch of road will not tell me what speed to drive at. All those other indicators that I use are, for me, far more reliable.
water on the road / leaves on the road / tightness of corner / presence of side turnings / light / visibility / type of car being driven / other traffic on road / what speed I feel like doing in the circumstances, i.e my overall mood and so on.
All these things tell me what speed I drive at - a sign telling me of a fixed maximum over a long and varying stretch of road will not tell me what speed to drive at. All those other indicators that I use are, for me, far more reliable.
Many of us think that speed limits are in principle wrong and that driving for the conditions is what's relevant. Yes, of course, every time.
But back in the real world
I've slowed down. I could even agree to the concept of driving under the limit....as long as the limit's reasonable!!!!
Pragmatically, the problem comes with unreasonably low limits. NSL is too low on a dry empty country road, 40 is too low on a dry empty urban dual carriageway, etc. Yet Mr Brunstrom and his ilk neatly equate excessive speed with speeding, while continuing to reduce limits everywhere. In the real world, IMHO that's the real issue to address, not the concept of limits per se.
But back in the real world
I've slowed down. I could even agree to the concept of driving under the limit....as long as the limit's reasonable!!!! Pragmatically, the problem comes with unreasonably low limits. NSL is too low on a dry empty country road, 40 is too low on a dry empty urban dual carriageway, etc. Yet Mr Brunstrom and his ilk neatly equate excessive speed with speeding, while continuing to reduce limits everywhere. In the real world, IMHO that's the real issue to address, not the concept of limits per se.
g Talivan waiting to tax you.hertsbiker said:
effectively the speed limit is whatever the car in front is doing - so if anyone is scared to do the limit, the limit has been lowered, and with the proliferation of double-white-lines...
I have actually noticed this a bit more...people in front rigidly sticking to speed limits, where a few years ago it was much rarer; someone doing 30mph in most areas would have had a big tailback very quickly, not always so these days. Ho hum...good reason for a really loud sports exhaust to shatter their windows as you fang past them...
I'd say I've probably gone slightly in the opposite direction.
I used to be absolutely fastidious about keeping to 30/40/50s. However, in the past 6 months or so I've been spending a fair bit of time driving in Oxfordshire where many NSLs are becoming 50s and in one case a 30. It's making me think very strongly about why I keep to 30s and not just on this road... It was *completely* safe to drive along that road at the speed limit when it was NSL - the fact that the signs have changed does *NOT* mean it's now unsafe to do over 30.
I used to be absolutely fastidious about keeping to 30/40/50s. However, in the past 6 months or so I've been spending a fair bit of time driving in Oxfordshire where many NSLs are becoming 50s and in one case a 30. It's making me think very strongly about why I keep to 30s and not just on this road... It was *completely* safe to drive along that road at the speed limit when it was NSL - the fact that the signs have changed does *NOT* mean it's now unsafe to do over 30.
hertsbiker said:
Well, are we?
A year ago, it was fairly common to see "I did XXXmph and it was great" type posts. Now we don't. Has the brainwashing worked? I know I have slowed down. How about you?
C
If anything it has made me speed up. When I see a sign saying new speed limit in force I make a point of trying to break it. Also if I see any unexpected speed enforcement I will break first, and ask questions later. I can't morally defend that position, but I am human, and in the real world that's the way humans behave.
But it has made me much more aware of my speed, you have to be or you will be banned. In practise this means I have my own target speeds for roads built in, and I find myself speeding up if I'm not hitting those, if it safe to do so of course. Wrong, wrong, wrong, but hey you make speed the only factor in driving that's what you'll get.
But the message is getting through, you see most people sticking to the limits, and driving appallingly at the same time.
I have noticed that a steady 77mph (Road Angel, speedo shows 80) on the M1 puts you as one of the fastest movers, rarely get overtaken.
Thats a big change over the last two years I have been doing the commute.
And I much prefer looking at bridges, speedo rather than the road ahead, much safer.
And I find that in heavish traffic, a bit of a gap and I quite often have a burst of 85 (my poor van doesn't go any faster) - not the safest way to drive but if I sit and poodle along at 70 I will fall asleep
Ho hum
Thats a big change over the last two years I have been doing the commute.
And I much prefer looking at bridges, speedo rather than the road ahead, much safer.
And I find that in heavish traffic, a bit of a gap and I quite often have a burst of 85 (my poor van doesn't go any faster) - not the safest way to drive but if I sit and poodle along at 70 I will fall asleep
Ho hum
james_j said:
I drive at a speed which is appropriate for the circumstances...
water on the road / leaves on the road / tightness of corner / presence of side turnings / light / visibility / type of car being driven / other traffic on road / what speed I feel like doing in the circumstances, i.e my overall mood and so on.
All these things tell me what speed I drive at - a sign telling me of a fixed maximum over a long and varying stretch of road will not tell me what speed to drive at. All those other indicators that I use are, for me, far more reliable.
Couldn't have put it better myself.
The reason I have NO respect for any of these new speed limits is because they've been put in for the wrong reasons, like a joy rider killing themselves, how will a lower speed limit affect this death? It won't.
There's a road near me that was a 60, a joyrider killed themselves and now it's a 30 with a speed camera, it's all bollocks.
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