Speed & Driver Training Issues.......
Discussion
Why is it that speed always appears to equate to dangerous driving.
I've seen and read much in the media about this subject, and it appears that "speeding = dangerous driving".
As a result, the public's perception of speeding, is the same
The media have latched on to this, but they neglect to mention "speeding in the wrong conditions = dangerous driving".
I mean, for goodness sake!!!! Breaking the speed limit by a few miles an hour on a single carriageway, or duel carriageway - weather, traffic and environment conditions permitting - isn't dangerous driving at all. Yet most people I've come acrossed perceive it as such.
Obviously screaming through a built up 30 limit at 50 or so would equate to dangerous driving, IMO.
Most speed limits would have been determined when? In the 60s/70s. Since then tyre and brake technology has advanced greatly, so surely they could afford to increase limits to 80/90mph for some dual carriageways.
I fully understand some people's abilities behind the wheel are not the good, which leads me nicely onto my further point...
It appears people aren't trained enough. I would welcome a much more stringent test; one that included night/motorway and adverse weather driving. I've noticed that many people opt to learn and take their tests in summer, because the conditions are easier. I've heard of tests being cancelled due to snow - surely this would be the best time to take your test?
Back in 2005, I took a driving course run by an ex-trafpol. Most the stuff he taught me, wasn't even covered in the learning process (in 2002) - for example, road positioning and speed control around corners.
It seems people are taught to pass an inadeqate test rather than taught to drive.
Some people appear extremely hesitant or scared behind the wheel. Shouldn't we be taught to enjoy the driving experience; taught to judge speed of others, and conditions around us, in order to make more swift, safer journeys.
Sorry, just a bit of a rant about a couple of things I've been thinking alot about since I've been driving
Darren
I've seen and read much in the media about this subject, and it appears that "speeding = dangerous driving".
As a result, the public's perception of speeding, is the same
The media have latched on to this, but they neglect to mention "speeding in the wrong conditions = dangerous driving".
I mean, for goodness sake!!!! Breaking the speed limit by a few miles an hour on a single carriageway, or duel carriageway - weather, traffic and environment conditions permitting - isn't dangerous driving at all. Yet most people I've come acrossed perceive it as such.
Obviously screaming through a built up 30 limit at 50 or so would equate to dangerous driving, IMO.
Most speed limits would have been determined when? In the 60s/70s. Since then tyre and brake technology has advanced greatly, so surely they could afford to increase limits to 80/90mph for some dual carriageways.
I fully understand some people's abilities behind the wheel are not the good, which leads me nicely onto my further point...
It appears people aren't trained enough. I would welcome a much more stringent test; one that included night/motorway and adverse weather driving. I've noticed that many people opt to learn and take their tests in summer, because the conditions are easier. I've heard of tests being cancelled due to snow - surely this would be the best time to take your test?
Back in 2005, I took a driving course run by an ex-trafpol. Most the stuff he taught me, wasn't even covered in the learning process (in 2002) - for example, road positioning and speed control around corners.
It seems people are taught to pass an inadeqate test rather than taught to drive.
Some people appear extremely hesitant or scared behind the wheel. Shouldn't we be taught to enjoy the driving experience; taught to judge speed of others, and conditions around us, in order to make more swift, safer journeys.
Sorry, just a bit of a rant about a couple of things I've been thinking alot about since I've been driving
Darren
iluvmercs said:
Why is it that speed always appears to equate to dangerous driving.
I've seen and read much in the media about this subject, and it appears that "speeding = dangerous driving".
As a result, the public's perception of speeding, is the same
The media have latched on to this, but they neglect to mention "speeding in the wrong conditions = dangerous driving".
I mean, for goodness sake!!!! Breaking the speed limit by a few miles an hour on a single carriageway, or duel carriageway - weather, traffic and environment conditions permitting - isn't dangerous driving at all. Yet most people I've come acrossed perceive it as such.
Obviously screaming through a built up 30 limit at 50 or so would equate to dangerous driving, IMO.
I've seen and read much in the media about this subject, and it appears that "speeding = dangerous driving".
As a result, the public's perception of speeding, is the same
The media have latched on to this, but they neglect to mention "speeding in the wrong conditions = dangerous driving".
I mean, for goodness sake!!!! Breaking the speed limit by a few miles an hour on a single carriageway, or duel carriageway - weather, traffic and environment conditions permitting - isn't dangerous driving at all. Yet most people I've come acrossed perceive it as such.
Obviously screaming through a built up 30 limit at 50 or so would equate to dangerous driving, IMO.
There you go, you've just done the same thing.
iluvmercs said:
Most speed limits would have been determined when? In the 60s/70s. Since then tyre and brake technology has advanced greatly, so surely they could afford to increase limits to 80/90mph for some dual carriageways.
I fully understand some people's abilities behind the wheel are not the good, which leads me nicely onto my further point...
Traffic levels have changed & with it noise levels etc too. On a dual carriageway traffic still has to join the road at some places from standstill. Something that is harder to judge & do with faster moving traffic. The safety benefits on modern cars also give drivers an illusion that they are better drivers than they are.
iluvmercs said:
It appears people aren't trained enough. I would welcome a much more stringent test; one that included night/motorway and adverse weather driving. I've noticed that many people opt to learn and take their tests in summer, because the conditions are easier. I've heard of tests being cancelled due to snow - surely this would be the best time to take your test?
Back in 2005, I took a driving course run by an ex-trafpol. Most the stuff he taught me, wasn't even covered in the learning process (in 2002) - for example, road positioning and speed control around corners.
It seems people are taught to pass an inadeqate test rather than taught to drive.
Some people appear extremely hesitant or scared behind the wheel. Shouldn't we be taught to enjoy the driving experience; taught to judge speed of others, and conditions around us, in order to make more swift, safer journeys.
Sorry, just a bit of a rant about a couple of things I've been thinking alot about since I've been driving
Darren
You might welcome a harder test, there are plenty out there who wouldn't. Most would probably like it to be easier. They just want to get their wheels & think little beyond that.
vonhosen said:
iluvmercs said:
Why is it that speed always appears to equate to dangerous driving.
I've seen and read much in the media about this subject, and it appears that "speeding = dangerous driving".
As a result, the public's perception of speeding, is the same
The media have latched on to this, but they neglect to mention "speeding in the wrong conditions = dangerous driving".
I mean, for goodness sake!!!! Breaking the speed limit by a few miles an hour on a single carriageway, or duel carriageway - weather, traffic and environment conditions permitting - isn't dangerous driving at all. Yet most people I've come acrossed perceive it as such.
Obviously screaming through a built up 30 limit at 50 or so would equate to dangerous driving, IMO.
I've seen and read much in the media about this subject, and it appears that "speeding = dangerous driving".
As a result, the public's perception of speeding, is the same
The media have latched on to this, but they neglect to mention "speeding in the wrong conditions = dangerous driving".
I mean, for goodness sake!!!! Breaking the speed limit by a few miles an hour on a single carriageway, or duel carriageway - weather, traffic and environment conditions permitting - isn't dangerous driving at all. Yet most people I've come acrossed perceive it as such.
Obviously screaming through a built up 30 limit at 50 or so would equate to dangerous driving, IMO.
There you go, you've just done the same thing.
Here I meant to imply that it is perceived ALL speeding is equal to dangerous driving, which I believe it isn't
In my example, 50 in 30 I would deem "speeding in the wrong conditions", which would certainly be dangerous, espeically as, within these areas, you would expect schools, a higher number of pedestrians, etc.
Sorry if I didn't explain my example the clearly
Darren
iluvmercs said:
In my example, 50 in 30 I would deem "speeding in the wrong conditions"
I think I agree with the point you're trying to make. However, as vonhosen points out, in your example you aren't describing the conditions, you're atually falling into the same mistake of assuming that numerical speed equates to danger. 50 mph in a 30 limit *could be* dangerous in some situations, but it could be safe in others.
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