Total stupidity; variable speed limits!!!!!!!!
Discussion
We coming back form Luton yesterday evening in the rain (M1, M25, M3) and there must've been 30 - 40+ different speed limits on the 3 motorways!!!!! Gantry cameras galore continuously changing between 40 - 60mph, average speed zones between 40 -50mph...
It was the most unrelaxing bit of motorway driving I've ever done.
Is this really the future; speed limits changing every 2 - 3 minutes, gantry cameras there to catch you out??
It was the most unrelaxing bit of motorway driving I've ever done.
Is this really the future; speed limits changing every 2 - 3 minutes, gantry cameras there to catch you out??
Having attended a speed awareness course recently, I learned a lot about smart motorways that I wasnt already aware of. The speed changes are generally for traffic calming, slowing people behind down so you dont run into the back of those in front and end up stopping, causing a wave of traffic that seems to come out of nowhere. Everyones driven down the motorway only to stop without warning for a minute, then off you go again with no evidence of an accident etc. That's what the smart motorways iron out.
That and other things ofcourse but thats the main reason.
That and other things ofcourse but thats the main reason.
Theory:
ecksjay said:
The speed changes are generally for traffic calming, slowing people behind down so you dont run into the back of those in front and end up stopping, causing a wave of traffic that seems to come out of nowhere. Everyones driven down the motorway only to stop without warning for a minute, then off you go again with no evidence of an accident etc. That's what the smart motorways iron out.
Reality:AJB88 said:
I've driven from MK to Luton airport at 3am many times and seen it set to 60>50>40>70>60 and the road has been absolutely empty.
davek_964 said:
HantsRat said:
Do you have cruise control? If so, set that and relax.
Unless your cruise control is a lot more clever than mine, not sure how that would have helped the OP.Edited by Turfy on Tuesday 1st October 14:09
Turfy said:
We coming back form Luton yesterday evening in the rain (M1, M25, M3) and there must've been 30 - 40+ different speed limits on the 3 motorways!!!!! Gantry cameras galore continuously changing between 40 - 60mph, average speed zones between 40 -50mph...
It was the most unrelaxing bit of motorway driving I've ever done.
Is this really the future; speed limits changing every 2 - 3 minutes, gantry cameras there to catch you out??
In today's motoring miasma I would argue that we should be prepared for anything, and not be surprised. Variable speed limits occur on all roads, not only MW, with the average journey beset with different traffic configurations and varying speeds.It was the most unrelaxing bit of motorway driving I've ever done.
Is this really the future; speed limits changing every 2 - 3 minutes, gantry cameras there to catch you out??
It was raining on your MW journey, so the hazard of spray at higher speeds would be relevant.
HantsRat said:
It must be, mine recognises the limits by camera and self adjusts.
This all has a whiff of a dystopian future about it. An automated system sets up rules that are too difficult for a human to follow. So we must relinquish control to another automated system to control us. All the while the authorities tell us that this is a fine and proper way to live, as they gain more and more control.It's just speed limits for now, but it's the thin end of the wedge I tell ya.
ecksjay said:
Having attended a speed awareness course recently, I learned a lot about smart motorways that I wasnt already aware of. The speed changes are generally for traffic calming, slowing people behind down so you dont run into the back of those in front and end up stopping, causing a wave of traffic that seems to come out of nowhere. Everyones driven down the motorway only to stop without warning for a minute, then off you go again with no evidence of an accident etc. That's what the smart motorways iron out.
That and other things ofcourse but thats the main reason.
This +1.That and other things ofcourse but thats the main reason.
I have noticed a distinct improvement in my neck of the woods - M6 north around Birmingham/Wolverhampton/Cannock
The conditions you mention above are exactly why it took me 7.5hrs to get home from Cornwall 3 years ago. Constant stop & go traffic with no accidents on the M5 northboundfrom Taunton to Wolves. Idiots charging off again as soon as there's a clear bit only to have to haul on the anchors half a mile further.
Sooner the better the whole M5 is managed for me.
I go from M1 J14 to J8 every weekday morning (and back again in the afternoon!) And although it's stupidly busy, faster one minute slow/stationary the next, variable limits, cameras etc it's fairly relaxing if you stay out of the outermost overtaking lane, I.e. the bellend lane, and stick to lane 1 and 2. Same principle would apply to other motorways.
NDA said:
HantsRat said:
Do you have cruise control? If so, set that and relax.
Does that help when speed limits are constantly changing?davek_964 said:
Theory:
So it's, er, working then...ecksjay said:
The speed changes are generally for traffic calming, slowing people behind down so you dont run into the back of those in front and end up stopping, causing a wave of traffic that seems to come out of nowhere. Everyones driven down the motorway only to stop without warning for a minute, then off you go again with no evidence of an accident etc. That's what the smart motorways iron out.
Reality:AJB88 said:
I've driven from MK to Luton airport at 3am many times and seen it set to 60>50>40>70>60 and the road has been absolutely empty.
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