50mph Average Speed Limits - Why?
Discussion
Made the trip back down the M4/M25 from Aberystwyth to Reigate earlier, and whilst in the 50mph Average Speed zone near Newport, I very nearly went side-on into a BMW 116i who was hovering in my blind spot (which I have now worked out is near as makes no difference exactly the same size as a BMW 116i). Usually I can keep track of it by clocking cars moving in and out of view in my mirrors, but this guy must have been sat there for a good thirty seconds or more.
I'm not going to make any excuses for being a mong and not checking it properly before moving out to overtake a 40mph MLM (though if you do insist on driving a grey 116i at dusk with no lights, you're probably acceptable game for a gentle shove into the central reservation) but surely its safer to have three lanes moving at speeds between 56 and 85ish than three lanes all moving at 50?
I'm not going to make any excuses for being a mong and not checking it properly before moving out to overtake a 40mph MLM (though if you do insist on driving a grey 116i at dusk with no lights, you're probably acceptable game for a gentle shove into the central reservation) but surely its safer to have three lanes moving at speeds between 56 and 85ish than three lanes all moving at 50?
That stretch is under a temporary 50mph limit whilst they do work upgrading the central reservation and installing new variable speed limit signage and cameras - which are desperately needed - you need to see that stretch in the rush hour to appreciate why. It can be as bad as the M25 on a bad day.
Fabiao said:
That stretch is under a temporary 50mph limit whilst they do work upgrading the central reservation and installing new variable speed limit signage and cameras - which are desperately needed - you need to see that stretch in the rush hour to appreciate why. It can be as bad as the M25 on a bad day.
Haven't they finished those upgrades? When I drove to Cardiff last week, I didn't see any cones or roadworks around Newport (admittedly was dark and quiet so may have missed them) but the 50 ave speed was still in force. No idea why. Hope it's not another one where they leave SPECS in place even though the work is finished (like top of M3/M25 interchange)
Blue Meanie said:
hornetrider said:
Blue Meanie said:
Does that mean it is legal to do 75 mph, as long as you do 25 for the same time period?
No. The limit is 50 enforced by average cams.And according to what was published a couple of years ago, the cameras work in pairs, so you can do 50 between Camera A and B, but you can speed all you want between B and C. But you have to keep to average speed between C and D. If you follow me.
Not going to try that out.
This was also published when they asked people not to change lanes, because Camera 1 on post A, could not calculate the average if you went through Camera 2 on post B. I think that was fixed though.
Blue Meanie said:
hornetrider said:
Blue Meanie said:
Does that mean it is legal to do 75 mph, as long as you do 25 for the same time period?
No. The limit is 50 enforced by average cams.
ked.But, yes.
I hate that section too.
You pay your £5.50 entry fee into Wales, then straight into a 50mph average section.
Coming the other way yesterday, just where the 50 starts near Junction 28, the motorway signs were flashing "End", giving the impression that the speed limit wasn't in force.
Was it? I don't know. The signs were conflicting.
You pay your £5.50 entry fee into Wales, then straight into a 50mph average section.
Coming the other way yesterday, just where the 50 starts near Junction 28, the motorway signs were flashing "End", giving the impression that the speed limit wasn't in force.
Was it? I don't know. The signs were conflicting.
Blue Meanie said:
Does that mean it is legal to do 75 mph, as long as you do 25 for the same time period?
No. The enforcement is by average speed, the speed limit is 50, you would probably get away with doing 75 half the time and 25 the other between cameras but it wouldn't be legal.
Corpulent Tosser said:
Blue Meanie said:
Does that mean it is legal to do 75 mph, as long as you do 25 for the same time period?
No. The enforcement is by average speed, the speed limit is 50, you would probably get away with doing 75 half the time and 25 the other between cameras but it wouldn't be legal.
hornetrider said:
Blue Meanie said:
hornetrider said:
Blue Meanie said:
Does that mean it is legal to do 75 mph, as long as you do 25 for the same time period?
No. The limit is 50 enforced by average cams.ked.But, yes.
I might add those 50 limits are there for a reason. If youve ever had the misfortune of stopping on the hard shoulder you'll appreciate the dangers.
Unfortuantely the cosequences of errant vehicles entering areas where road workers are at high speeds does have pretty nasty consequences and you'd be surprised how often it happens.
Edited by Aeroresh on Saturday 16th October 08:54
I honestly don't understand the purpose in the 50mph average limits, even at roadworks. All they ever seem to do is cause congestion and get people agitated, thus making an accident more likely than if they'd all been driving happily at 70. I know it's to "protect the workforce" or some such other ste, but why is the M4 one between Cardiff and the Severn Bridge even there?
te, but why is the M4 one between Cardiff and the Severn Bridge even there?They piss me off but are there for a reason. There is typically a workforce in the road. The lanes are often narrower than normal. There is often a contraflow taking one lane over into the opposite carriageway where there is no armco between opposing flows of traffic - those little plastic posts aren't going to do much to prevent a head-on if one car strays out of lane 
It is a good point the OP makes about being extra carefull checking your blind spot in them though. I think people generally take less care changing lanes in them as they know that everyone is doing the same speed. Now that it is darker in the mornings it is getting even more dodgy. I've had two people click on their indicators and start to move over on me whilst I was alongside on my bike this week. That was much less frequent when it was still light at 6:45am. It often actually feels safer to be riding faster than all the other traffic. At least then it is less time spent hovering in blind spots and I can tackle the traffic/overtakes on my terms so to speak.
It is a good point the OP makes about being extra carefull checking your blind spot in them though. I think people generally take less care changing lanes in them as they know that everyone is doing the same speed. Now that it is darker in the mornings it is getting even more dodgy. I've had two people click on their indicators and start to move over on me whilst I was alongside on my bike this week. That was much less frequent when it was still light at 6:45am. It often actually feels safer to be riding faster than all the other traffic. At least then it is less time spent hovering in blind spots and I can tackle the traffic/overtakes on my terms so to speak.
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