140mph convoy on M74
Discussion
The Selfish Gene said:
I jumped out of a plane recently - my mother thinks that's 'silly'. That's because she doesn't understand how parachutes work, or reserve chutes work or indeed have any interest in doing anything remotely of that ilk.
It isn't silly. It's living free.
Good god you're cool.It isn't silly. It's living free.
ThatGuyWhoDoesStuff said:
I'll use that defence next time I hurtle past a school zone during pickup time, but don't hit anyone.
well that would be silly now wouldn't it 
speed in appropriate places is not dangerous, not bad in any way and no amount of do-goodery will change that.
The sort of person that probably had a big drama about this high speed action is the same sort of idiot that does 40mph past schools oblivious. They have no skill or interest - and thus are much more dangerous than the person doing 140mph on an open, clear road.
Speed does not kill, incompetence and apathy do.
IMO going 40 through a 20mph zone outside a school is far worse. Yet much less exciting/news worthy.
It's pretty unlikely a ped is going to suddenly appear out of nowhere on a major road. Or that someone is going to pull out of a side road.
If it's dry and clear, and if traffic conditions are light, then why not?
I'll make an assumption that at that speed they weren't texting on their phone, doing there hair, eating pies, or doing the myriad of other idiotic things you see people driving at 70mph in heavy rush hour traffic do.
It's pretty unlikely a ped is going to suddenly appear out of nowhere on a major road. Or that someone is going to pull out of a side road.
If it's dry and clear, and if traffic conditions are light, then why not?
I'll make an assumption that at that speed they weren't texting on their phone, doing there hair, eating pies, or doing the myriad of other idiotic things you see people driving at 70mph in heavy rush hour traffic do.
The Selfish Gene said:
well that would be silly now wouldn't it
speed in appropriate places is not dangerous, not bad in any way and no amount of do-goodery will change that.
The sort of person that probably had a big drama about this high speed action is the same sort of idiot that does 40mph past schools oblivious. They have no skill or interest - and thus are much more dangerous than the person doing 140mph on an open, clear road.
Speed does not kill, incompetence and apathy do.
Problem is, you're assuming that everyone that drives at 140mph on the motorway is some sort of motoring enthusiast with excellent driving ability.speed in appropriate places is not dangerous, not bad in any way and no amount of do-goodery will change that.
The sort of person that probably had a big drama about this high speed action is the same sort of idiot that does 40mph past schools oblivious. They have no skill or interest - and thus are much more dangerous than the person doing 140mph on an open, clear road.
Speed does not kill, incompetence and apathy do.
It's also moronic to suggest that someone who doesn't think you should drive at 140mph on the motorway drives past schools at 40mph oblivious. There is zero correlation there.
We have rules for a reason. They should be followed.
ThatGuyWhoDoesStuff said:
I'll use that defence next time I hurtle past a school zone during pickup time, but don't hit anyone.
I'm guessing from your facetious tone you think you've just said something very clever, but the fact it's victimless is only part of the reason I refuse to morally condemn them, and obviously the above scenario and analogy vary for a number of reasons when forming a moral decision, so aren't directly comparable. As most moral scenarios aren't.As I said, if you think the fact they broke the law is, in itself, a reason for moral condemnation, then I disagree, moral relativism exists and it's more complicated than that. It does however cut both ways.
TarpaTow said:
Wow, that's some speed.
I'm not surprised to see a BM in the convoy as they're proper high performance machines and are driven by people used to the racing car like handling and RWD.
I've got a Sport Executive BM and the salesman went to great lengths to explain how they've used their experence in F1 technology and engineering to provide the ultimate driver experience and performance. He also told me he was happy to sell me a BM as he knew I was already used to driving BMs so he would be able to tell his Sales Manager that I was used to high performance cars if he was asked what steps he'd taken to ensure I could handle such a high performance car. That's what I call customer service, making sure your customer is up to the skills required of the Brand.
But, even in my BM, and having the benefit of having been behind the wheel of several BMs, I don't think I'd drive at that sort of speed.
Cock!! I'm not surprised to see a BM in the convoy as they're proper high performance machines and are driven by people used to the racing car like handling and RWD.
I've got a Sport Executive BM and the salesman went to great lengths to explain how they've used their experence in F1 technology and engineering to provide the ultimate driver experience and performance. He also told me he was happy to sell me a BM as he knew I was already used to driving BMs so he would be able to tell his Sales Manager that I was used to high performance cars if he was asked what steps he'd taken to ensure I could handle such a high performance car. That's what I call customer service, making sure your customer is up to the skills required of the Brand.
But, even in my BM, and having the benefit of having been behind the wheel of several BMs, I don't think I'd drive at that sort of speed.
Speed kills, sigh.
Money for old rope dishing out fines for speeding unfortunately. Fact is everyday drivers have no issues navigating at these speeds elsewhere in the world and if the conditions were good, drivers competent - modern car is arguably safer at that speed than a Morris Minor at 70.
Money for old rope dishing out fines for speeding unfortunately. Fact is everyday drivers have no issues navigating at these speeds elsewhere in the world and if the conditions were good, drivers competent - modern car is arguably safer at that speed than a Morris Minor at 70.
The Selfish Gene said:
Speed does not kill, incompetence and apathy do.
I appreciate the intent of that statement but I can't help but roll my eyes whenever I see it.It's a bit like saying "a lifetime of smoking doesn't kill, lung cancer does." Entirely true, but completely stupid.
Deer wanders out?
Fallen branch?
Big pothole?
Tire blowout?
Blocked drain and a bit of standing water?
There's a reason they stick out a safety car when there's debris on a race track. You can say 'clear road' all you like, but if something the other way is doing 70mph whilst you're doing 140mph, in 17 seconds you're 'met' over a mile.
Before the inevitable, all comparisons to the autobahn are irrelevant - our motorways ain't the autobahn.
Integroo said:
We have rules for a reason. They should be followed.
Ah yes rules, to be followed slavishly or interpreted in relation to the specifics of the environment though? I assume that you are the type of person who sticks to the 30mph limit on a dual carriageway the purpose of which is to ease rush hour traffic even if it's 10pm on a Sunday evening. Timmy45 said:
Ah yes rules, to be followed slavishly or interpreted in relation to the specifics of the environment though? I assume that you are the type of person who sticks to the 30mph limit on a dual carriageway the purpose of which is to ease rush hour traffic even if it's 10pm on a Sunday evening.
Which rule have you 'interpreted in relation to the specifics of the environment' that suggests 140mph on the motorway is sensible and permissible? Drive that way if you want, don't complain when you get caught though.
ThatGuyWhoDoesStuff said:
I appreciate the intent of that statement but I can't help but roll my eyes whenever I see it.
It's a bit like saying "a lifetime of smoking doesn't kill, lung cancer does." Entirely true, but completely stupid.
Deer wanders out?
Fallen branch?
Big pothole?
Tire blowout?
Blocked drain and a bit of standing water?
There's a reason they stick out a safety car when there's debris on a race track. You can say 'clear road' all you like, but if something the other way is doing 70mph whilst you're doing 140mph, in 17 seconds you're 'met' over a mile.
And how often does any of the above apply on a motorway, been affected by a blowout yourself? It's a bit like saying "a lifetime of smoking doesn't kill, lung cancer does." Entirely true, but completely stupid.
Deer wanders out?
Fallen branch?
Big pothole?
Tire blowout?
Blocked drain and a bit of standing water?
There's a reason they stick out a safety car when there's debris on a race track. You can say 'clear road' all you like, but if something the other way is doing 70mph whilst you're doing 140mph, in 17 seconds you're 'met' over a mile.
I just don’t understand your outrage really. Do you enjoy driving, not trying to be smart but I do feel there’s a level of sympathy for those caught speeding from those that I’d call enthusiasts. Maybe I’m wrong.
Todd Bonzalez said:
No actually, because you drive an old polo and post boring non car stuff constantly hahaha.
I've never owned a Polo. In my thread about a Polo I thought it'd be easier to just say 'my Polo' rather than 'a Polo owned by a relative of mine and was hoping to help out.'
I also note that my 'boring posts' tend to be in the 'Home and Garden' sections, unless I've misread the forum section and it actually reads 'Home and McLaren 12c' forum.
Of course you wouldn't come across my boring posts if you didn't go out of your way specifically to read them?
Odd....
FlyingFin said:
TarpaTow said:
Wow, that's some speed.
I'm not surprised to see a BM in the convoy as they're proper high performance machines and are driven by people used to the racing car like handling and RWD.
I've got a Sport Executive BM and the salesman went to great lengths to explain how they've used their experence in F1 technology and engineering to provide the ultimate driver experience and performance. He also told me he was happy to sell me a BM as he knew I was already used to driving BMs so he would be able to tell his Sales Manager that I was used to high performance cars if he was asked what steps he'd taken to ensure I could handle such a high performance car. That's what I call customer service, making sure your customer is up to the skills required of the Brand.
But, even in my BM, and having the benefit of having been behind the wheel of several BMs, I don't think I'd drive at that sort of speed.
Cock!! I'm not surprised to see a BM in the convoy as they're proper high performance machines and are driven by people used to the racing car like handling and RWD.
I've got a Sport Executive BM and the salesman went to great lengths to explain how they've used their experence in F1 technology and engineering to provide the ultimate driver experience and performance. He also told me he was happy to sell me a BM as he knew I was already used to driving BMs so he would be able to tell his Sales Manager that I was used to high performance cars if he was asked what steps he'd taken to ensure I could handle such a high performance car. That's what I call customer service, making sure your customer is up to the skills required of the Brand.
But, even in my BM, and having the benefit of having been behind the wheel of several BMs, I don't think I'd drive at that sort of speed.
ThatGuyWhoDoesStuff said:
I've never owned a Polo.
In my thread about a Polo I thought it'd be easier to just say 'my Polo' rather than 'a Polo owned by a relative of mine and was hoping to help out.'
I also note that my 'boring posts' tend to be in the 'Home and Garden' sections, unless I've misread the forum section and it actually reads 'Home and McLaren 12c' forum.
Of course you wouldn't come across my boring posts if you didn't go out of your way specifically to read them?
Odd....
Wow great that you're on a motoring forum thanks for stopping byIn my thread about a Polo I thought it'd be easier to just say 'my Polo' rather than 'a Polo owned by a relative of mine and was hoping to help out.'
I also note that my 'boring posts' tend to be in the 'Home and Garden' sections, unless I've misread the forum section and it actually reads 'Home and McLaren 12c' forum.
Of course you wouldn't come across my boring posts if you didn't go out of your way specifically to read them?
Odd....
I remember when the "safety" camera partnership had not long been set up they published data for each site on the A74(M) which showed that the average speed (across all traffic) was over 80mph at all the sites. They took it down once folk started making the point that it meant they were penalizing people well below the average speed.
It's no longer the 110mph schlep that it was a few years ago but depending on when you time your trip 90-100mph is still pretty commonplace, more so than once you get down into Cumbria. You can tell the locals/regulars because they all slow down in the vicinity of known ambush points - several of the southbound ones are just after curves/crests so less easy to spot.
The whole story sounds like a complete non-event really. I've been passed along there by various Astons/Porsches that I'm sure were going well north of 130mph, I'm not bothered at all if conditions are good and they aren't weaving in and out of traffic.
It's no longer the 110mph schlep that it was a few years ago but depending on when you time your trip 90-100mph is still pretty commonplace, more so than once you get down into Cumbria. You can tell the locals/regulars because they all slow down in the vicinity of known ambush points - several of the southbound ones are just after curves/crests so less easy to spot.
The whole story sounds like a complete non-event really. I've been passed along there by various Astons/Porsches that I'm sure were going well north of 130mph, I'm not bothered at all if conditions are good and they aren't weaving in and out of traffic.
The Selfish Gene said:
...
Hence why I questioned the word silly in that context.
....
Taking risks where you are in control of the variables and outcomes is one thing, taking risks where the outcomes are completely out of your hands is 'silly', in this context. Those 4 had no way of knowing if the McPlod were waiting for them around the next corner or the next car they passed was an unmarked car, they had no control over whether they were caught or not. That's not heroic or 'living', that's just gambling with your licence and freedom, that's just silly... in that context.Hence why I questioned the word silly in that context.
....
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff