80 Mph motorway limit petition
Discussion
Hi all,
I've recently found this petition on parliament's website: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/104377
Let's all sign it and spread the word, we've all had enough of 1960s speed limits.
I've recently found this petition on parliament's website: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/104377
Let's all sign it and spread the word, we've all had enough of 1960s speed limits.
While I was at it I created a facebook page to promote the cause, please like and share https://www.facebook.com/80mphlimit/
Why 80mph? That's just as arbitrary as 70mph and still much too low. If there must be an absolute speed limit I would like it to be above 130mph, but I'd prefer no limit at all. In my ordinary car in derestricted stretches in Germany, I find that a cruising speed of 180-200km/h is comfortable and sustainable. In a proper PH car the same must be true at higher speeds still. I've done tens of thousands of miles at sustained speeds of more than 120mph and no kittens have died. Start a petition for a derestricted motorway speed limit and I'll sign that.
I totally agree with you, I have driven in Germany quite a few times and don't see an issue with 120 or 130 mph. However and regrettably I think it's unlikely there's any chance of the government agreeing to de-restrict the motorways, I think even 90mph wouldn't get through parliament given the number of people who would jump up and down saying there'll be slaughter on the roads and the added carbon emissions will bring the world to an end.
The sad reality is that if we campaign for 80mph, it *might* actually get through, if we ask for 90 or more, the government will just reject it and the limit will stay at 70. I know it's not ideal, but if it's increased to 80 and there are no added road deaths (which there won't be, given that people do 80 and 90 already all the time) it might be politically feasible to argue for 90 on some motorways at some point in the future.
I hope this makes sense and thanks for you input.
The sad reality is that if we campaign for 80mph, it *might* actually get through, if we ask for 90 or more, the government will just reject it and the limit will stay at 70. I know it's not ideal, but if it's increased to 80 and there are no added road deaths (which there won't be, given that people do 80 and 90 already all the time) it might be politically feasible to argue for 90 on some motorways at some point in the future.
I hope this makes sense and thanks for you input.
everybody drives at 80mph already, the police know the government know etc. I think the problem is raise it to 80 and people drive at 90, and considering have many s
t drivers on the roads, I think keep it as it is.
Take the risk get fined if you want, but I imagine a world where Audi and BWM rep wo/men driving all at 100 mph, right up each others arse with fog lights on, chasing to the next 'big sale' a recipe for disaster.
t drivers on the roads, I think keep it as it is. Take the risk get fined if you want, but I imagine a world where Audi and BWM rep wo/men driving all at 100 mph, right up each others arse with fog lights on, chasing to the next 'big sale' a recipe for disaster.
The Spruce goose said:
everybody drives at 80mph already, the police know the government know etc. I think the problem is raise it to 80 and people drive at 90, and considering have many st drivers on the roads, I think keep it as it is.
Take the risk get fined if you want, but I imagine a world where Audi and BWM rep wo/men driving all at 100 mph, right up each others arse with fog lights on, chasing to the next 'big sale' a recipe for disaster.
Why should I risk a criminal conviction for driving at 80mph? Given the majority of the people of this country aren't opposed to an 80mph limit, surely in a representative democracy that's what the limit should be.t drivers on the roads, I think keep it as it is. Take the risk get fined if you want, but I imagine a world where Audi and BWM rep wo/men driving all at 100 mph, right up each others arse with fog lights on, chasing to the next 'big sale' a recipe for disaster.
The fact that people tailgate, text or do other stupid things on the motorway is, a separate issue and I do think the police should concentrate more on bad drivers (regardless of their speed) rather than targeting people who are driving competently at 80, but that's somewhat of a separate issue.
Actually I think tailgating is a symptom of a speed limit which is too low and that nobody respects. When drivers are free to select their own speed, the speed differential between lanes increases and makes is much easier for people to pass others and then drop in in front of them. There's less queueing of cars behind one slower driver in lane 3, less tailgating, less hogging of the middle lane and much less frustration for all.
The fact is that the 85th percentile speed on a free-flowing motorway is naturally much higher than 70mph or 80mph I'd say it might be closer to 90 or 100mph. Unfortunately it can't be measured on a road with a speed limit as it artificially throttles traffic speed and prevents a true reading.
The fact is that the 85th percentile speed on a free-flowing motorway is naturally much higher than 70mph or 80mph I'd say it might be closer to 90 or 100mph. Unfortunately it can't be measured on a road with a speed limit as it artificially throttles traffic speed and prevents a true reading.
There was mention of trialling an 80mph round here.
The current limit can be a little 'vague' and you'd be hard pushed to get pulled over if you're doing less than 90mph. It was proposed that the 80mph would be rigidly enforced by overhead cameras.
Which would you prefer?
The current limit can be a little 'vague' and you'd be hard pushed to get pulled over if you're doing less than 90mph. It was proposed that the 80mph would be rigidly enforced by overhead cameras.
Which would you prefer?
Edited by Roo on Wednesday 28th October 22:58
Sushifiend said:
Why 80mph? That's just as arbitrary as 70mph and still much too low. If there must be an absolute speed limit I would like it to be above 130mph, but I'd prefer no limit at all. In my ordinary car in derestricted stretches in Germany, I find that a cruising speed of 180-200km/h is comfortable and sustainable. In a proper PH car the same must be true at higher speeds still. I've done tens of thousands of miles at sustained speeds of more than 120mph and no kittens have died. Start a petition for a derestricted motorway speed limit and I'll sign that.
Having just driven 2500 miles through Europe, 180kph was my default speed to cruise at. Beautiful roads to do it on too.Roo has summed it up exactly. I say leave it at 70mph, as the rozzers will leave us alone for pushing north of 80mph.
Darn technology is increasingly ruining our fun, but you can circumnavigate some of it still just by providing a little lateral thinking. We need to do the same with our lobbying, refreshing current laws will only see tolerance limits reduced to virtually zero. Leave well alone.
Darn technology is increasingly ruining our fun, but you can circumnavigate some of it still just by providing a little lateral thinking. We need to do the same with our lobbying, refreshing current laws will only see tolerance limits reduced to virtually zero. Leave well alone.
With Police budgets what they are you're more likely to see automated enforcement now than ever.
Let's look at this practically though. Assuming for a moment that a government considered derestricting motorway speeds, or even trialing it on one or two. Forgetting how controversial it would be (it's easy to forget that we're a loud voice, but not particularly a large one), here's what I believe would happen:
First off you get the idiots who flock to the road thinking it's open season on speeding, treating it like their personal track.
Secondly, inevitably and not strictly linked to the first point, you get more accidents in the short term. This just goes without saying I think, and I defy anyone who suggests that things would just carry on as normal.
People's speed deltas go up significantly, people who struggle as it is with motorway driving find themselves having to deal with situations they can't handle, with predictable results. The driving standards aren't particularly good in this country, and coupled with a situation where a trialled road suddenly has drastically different behaviour than other roads - things start looking grim. Of course the government would get a lot of negative press for every accident - some likely to be pretty major - as a result of this new legislation.
Personally I tend to agree that 80mph would be a good limit, but I also think it's too simplistic to think that it would actually solve anything. People, like myself, knowing the new limit is 80 would do +10mph - as people do now with 70. Let's face it people don't stop themselves going more than 80 because of any kind of fear of speed, or because they're "satisfied with 80mph", it's the belief that their licence is safe at this speed. It's disingenuous in my opinion to suggest that people would be "happy" with a 80mph limit to actually stick to that. I wouldn't, and I don't think I'm an exception. People, petrolheads in particular, will go as fast as they feel safe to, with the chance of being caught as the primary moderator.
I would also strongly question whether or not people who are anti-speed enforcement would actually support replacing automated enforcement with the equivalent number of traffic cops. It's often said (with some truth) that cameras don't pick up other aspects of bad driving, etc, that a human would. It's an easy thing to say that you'd support it when it definitely won't happen (budgets for one), and likely less attractive when you're getting stopped for a squirt over 100mph in a place you thought was safe (no fixed cameras), when the human Police officer's discretion goes against you (because discretion always has to be in the motorist's favour otherwise it's unfair).
Let's look at this practically though. Assuming for a moment that a government considered derestricting motorway speeds, or even trialing it on one or two. Forgetting how controversial it would be (it's easy to forget that we're a loud voice, but not particularly a large one), here's what I believe would happen:
First off you get the idiots who flock to the road thinking it's open season on speeding, treating it like their personal track.
Secondly, inevitably and not strictly linked to the first point, you get more accidents in the short term. This just goes without saying I think, and I defy anyone who suggests that things would just carry on as normal.
People's speed deltas go up significantly, people who struggle as it is with motorway driving find themselves having to deal with situations they can't handle, with predictable results. The driving standards aren't particularly good in this country, and coupled with a situation where a trialled road suddenly has drastically different behaviour than other roads - things start looking grim. Of course the government would get a lot of negative press for every accident - some likely to be pretty major - as a result of this new legislation.
Personally I tend to agree that 80mph would be a good limit, but I also think it's too simplistic to think that it would actually solve anything. People, like myself, knowing the new limit is 80 would do +10mph - as people do now with 70. Let's face it people don't stop themselves going more than 80 because of any kind of fear of speed, or because they're "satisfied with 80mph", it's the belief that their licence is safe at this speed. It's disingenuous in my opinion to suggest that people would be "happy" with a 80mph limit to actually stick to that. I wouldn't, and I don't think I'm an exception. People, petrolheads in particular, will go as fast as they feel safe to, with the chance of being caught as the primary moderator.
I would also strongly question whether or not people who are anti-speed enforcement would actually support replacing automated enforcement with the equivalent number of traffic cops. It's often said (with some truth) that cameras don't pick up other aspects of bad driving, etc, that a human would. It's an easy thing to say that you'd support it when it definitely won't happen (budgets for one), and likely less attractive when you're getting stopped for a squirt over 100mph in a place you thought was safe (no fixed cameras), when the human Police officer's discretion goes against you (because discretion always has to be in the motorist's favour otherwise it's unfair).
Edited by Durzel on Thursday 29th October 03:37
The Spruce goose said:
everybody drives at 80mph already, the police know the government know etc. I think the problem is raise it to 80 and people drive at 90, and considering have many st drivers on the roads, I think keep it as it is.
Agreed. For purely selfish reasons I won't be signing it. The current limit generally keeps most drivers under 80 which allows me to make progress at 85-90 and be past them. If you try cruising at anywhere between 70-80 these days it's a nightmare with people causing havoc unable to maintain a constant speed and you're having them overtake you only to pull back in and start slowing down. If they upped it to 80 then you'd have all that crowd causing havoc at 90 instead, with predictable results when it all goes wrong.t drivers on the roads, I think keep it as it is.R8VXF said:
Sushifiend said:
Why 80mph? That's just as arbitrary as 70mph and still much too low. If there must be an absolute speed limit I would like it to be above 130mph, but I'd prefer no limit at all. In my ordinary car in derestricted stretches in Germany, I find that a cruising speed of 180-200km/h is comfortable and sustainable. In a proper PH car the same must be true at higher speeds still. I've done tens of thousands of miles at sustained speeds of more than 120mph and no kittens have died. Start a petition for a derestricted motorway speed limit and I'll sign that.
Having just driven 2500 miles through Europe, 180kph was my default speed to cruise at. Beautiful roads to do it on too.I am certainly not against a higher speed limit but I would be concerned about the potential outcome of a higher speed accident when the dozing dummy pulls out into the path of the car running at that higher limit. It's bad enough now.
Personally I think raising the limit to 80mph or any other arbitrary figure would be counter-productive. Currently, you can quite happily plod along at 80-90mph and no one will take a blind bit of notice. The police, unless you are unfortunate enough to run into a particularly by-the-book sort, will generally administer a slap on the wrist, if that.
Now consider a limit increase. Police presence on the motorways will increase as the government try to enforce the new limit far more stringently than the current one. Stray even a bit over, and say hello to three points and a fine. Before we know it, we're not actually driving any faster than we are now, but our likelihood of being prosecuted has gone through the roof.
IMO, maintain the status quo and be glad we're not limited to the same draconian speeds as the yanks.
Now consider a limit increase. Police presence on the motorways will increase as the government try to enforce the new limit far more stringently than the current one. Stray even a bit over, and say hello to three points and a fine. Before we know it, we're not actually driving any faster than we are now, but our likelihood of being prosecuted has gone through the roof.
IMO, maintain the status quo and be glad we're not limited to the same draconian speeds as the yanks.
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