Must some people speed?
Discussion
Interesting question and a quick ponder to the great PH masses. What made me think of this (other than the fact that I forgot the head-unit for the stereo for a 2 hour each way journey!) was a couple of vehicles that I followed yesterday.
Firstly a crane lift truck insisted on doing 50 through a 30 zone in a village. Not only that it had the speed camera signs and one of those flashing signs for people who go above 30!
Second example was a Saab which insisted on overtaking me in a 50-40-30 zone at which he was doing something like 55 in a 30 zone!!!! Again speed camera signs and a rather tight turning approaching. Needless to say, in both cases I stuck approximately to the speed limit and did get drawn into anything.
So, here is the question :
"Must some people speed?"
I was wondering if there was a little on-line survey that Ted could knock up may be, but a little honesty might just go and explain a few things - in the interests of research of course.
My theory is that there are some people who just cant not speed. They have to at all circumstances and dont take any heed of limits (except where a camera is!). I would suggest that the vast majority of PH members arent in this category - we all know what speed is and therefore use it where we feel appropriate, rather than at every single opportunity, regardless to the prevailing road conditions and speed limits.
And the conclusion to my theory is that there is nothing that a speed camera can do to "educate" these people. Not suggesting that we all need to drive below the speed limits, but as per usual the minority ruin it for the majority of safe drivers....
Firstly a crane lift truck insisted on doing 50 through a 30 zone in a village. Not only that it had the speed camera signs and one of those flashing signs for people who go above 30!
Second example was a Saab which insisted on overtaking me in a 50-40-30 zone at which he was doing something like 55 in a 30 zone!!!! Again speed camera signs and a rather tight turning approaching. Needless to say, in both cases I stuck approximately to the speed limit and did get drawn into anything.
So, here is the question :
"Must some people speed?"
I was wondering if there was a little on-line survey that Ted could knock up may be, but a little honesty might just go and explain a few things - in the interests of research of course.
My theory is that there are some people who just cant not speed. They have to at all circumstances and dont take any heed of limits (except where a camera is!). I would suggest that the vast majority of PH members arent in this category - we all know what speed is and therefore use it where we feel appropriate, rather than at every single opportunity, regardless to the prevailing road conditions and speed limits.
And the conclusion to my theory is that there is nothing that a speed camera can do to "educate" these people. Not suggesting that we all need to drive below the speed limits, but as per usual the minority ruin it for the majority of safe drivers....
I drive as quickly as safely possible. I do this because I enjoy to drive fast and I don't see why a speed limit sign should dictate how fast I should drive. I do also drive slower than the speed limit where I think it nessasary.
So I suppose you could say I ignore speed limits and make my own jusdgement as to what I think is safe.
I also overtake on single carageway roads (shock horror) which more and more people seems to get annoyed by. They show this by either putting their foot down or flashing agressivly when I'm on front of them - I'm usually long gone anyway so don't care about either.
I had an interesting one once where I overtook a girl and the lad (passenger) leaned over and started flashing the lights. Best bit was it turned out we were going to the same wedding and sitting on the same table. I couldn't resist asking him if he had faulty lights - At first he said "I couldn't beleive you were overtaking us, but you did it with such ease and were out of sight before I knew it, I regretted flashing once I'd realised". He actually admitted later he'd done it because he was jelious of the car and annoyed at having to go to the wedding, lucky for him I wasn't some nutter that stopped and kicked his ass.
So conclusion, yes more often than not I have a need to break the speed limit, why? Because more often than not it is incorrect. I do however, refrain from speeding in 30's, not because they are all correct, but because this is a good place to raise revenue.
So I suppose you could say I ignore speed limits and make my own jusdgement as to what I think is safe.
I also overtake on single carageway roads (shock horror) which more and more people seems to get annoyed by. They show this by either putting their foot down or flashing agressivly when I'm on front of them - I'm usually long gone anyway so don't care about either.
I had an interesting one once where I overtook a girl and the lad (passenger) leaned over and started flashing the lights. Best bit was it turned out we were going to the same wedding and sitting on the same table. I couldn't resist asking him if he had faulty lights - At first he said "I couldn't beleive you were overtaking us, but you did it with such ease and were out of sight before I knew it, I regretted flashing once I'd realised". He actually admitted later he'd done it because he was jelious of the car and annoyed at having to go to the wedding, lucky for him I wasn't some nutter that stopped and kicked his ass.
So conclusion, yes more often than not I have a need to break the speed limit, why? Because more often than not it is incorrect. I do however, refrain from speeding in 30's, not because they are all correct, but because this is a good place to raise revenue.
drive up to the limit you w*nkers!!!Obviously we have a few reckless loons who need the attentions of the Police. For the rest of us, I see it this way:
www.safespeed.org.uk/why.html
www.safespeed.org.uk/why.html
safespeed said:
Obviously we have a few reckless loons who need the attentions of the Police. For the rest of us, I see it this way:
www.safespeed.org.uk/why.html
An excellent page Paul, the link to which I'd have thought is well worth repeating as often as possible whenever the occasion arises (as it often does!).
Yes i must always speed. Partly because i know its the right thing to do, and partly because "they" say i shouldnt do it and will "get me" if i dont obey them.
Well bo-llocks to them i say. I shall speed wherever and whenever i deem it possible and prudent. I dont need a sign to tell me to "slow down" or "kill your speed"
you to that.
What i need is a sign telling me where the DANGER areas are, thats where ill slow down, if only to make others feel safe. As for the rest of it, they can go wind a big fat wossname into themselves, i wont comply, ever!
Give me a reason, a VALID reason to slow down and ill consider it, otherwise they can take a powder, and i wont do it.
Im an individual, and i take my safety and that of others seriously. If i go slower just cos some sign installed by a half brain parish council says so, then i could actually be contributing to the possiblility of danger to others. Consequently ill drive at a speed *I* feel is prudent and safe. If they dont agree, then catch me if you can. Otherwise you!
Attitude or what?
Well bo-llocks to them i say. I shall speed wherever and whenever i deem it possible and prudent. I dont need a sign to tell me to "slow down" or "kill your speed"
you to that. What i need is a sign telling me where the DANGER areas are, thats where ill slow down, if only to make others feel safe. As for the rest of it, they can go wind a big fat wossname into themselves, i wont comply, ever!
Give me a reason, a VALID reason to slow down and ill consider it, otherwise they can take a powder, and i wont do it.
Im an individual, and i take my safety and that of others seriously. If i go slower just cos some sign installed by a half brain parish council says so, then i could actually be contributing to the possiblility of danger to others. Consequently ill drive at a speed *I* feel is prudent and safe. If they dont agree, then catch me if you can. Otherwise
you! Attitude or what?
I will speed well over posted limit if I feel like it, and will not take any notice of speed limits unless there is a scamera ahead.
Some days I don't feel like speeding and only go slightly over the speed limits.
Like others here, I get really annoyed by people that stick to speed limits. Why do they do it ??
Because they are complete morons that can't think for themselves what is a safe speed to drive at, so they have to be told by a sign post.
Some days I don't feel like speeding and only go slightly over the speed limits.
Like others here, I get really annoyed by people that stick to speed limits. Why do they do it ??
Because they are complete morons that can't think for themselves what is a safe speed to drive at, so they have to be told by a sign post.
deltaf said:
Yes i must always speed. Partly because i know its the right thing to do, and partly because "they" say i shouldnt do it and will "get me" if i dont obey them.
Well bo-llocks to them i say. I shall speed wherever and whenever i deem it possible and prudent. I dont need a sign to tell me to "slow down" or "kill your speed"
What i need is a sign telling me where the DANGER areas are, thats where ill slow down, if only to make others feel safe. As for the rest of it, they can go wind a big fat wossname into themselves, i wont comply, ever!
Give me a reason, a VALID reason to slow down and ill consider it, otherwise they can take a powder, and i wont do it.
Im an individual, and i take my safety and that of others seriously. If i go slower just cos some sign installed by a half brain parish council says so, then i could actually be contributing to the possiblility of danger to others. Consequently ill drive at a speed *I* feel is prudent and safe. If they dont agree, then catch me if you can. Otherwise
Attitude or what?
I felt sure we could rely on deltaf
In fact I very largely agree with those sentiments, although I might have expressed them differently.
Unlike most PHers I am in the fortunate position of having started my motoring career several years before the NSL was ever inflicted on us, and therefore to me the natural regime was no overall speed limit at all outside of built-up areas. As a result I became accustomed to the acceptability of driving at whatever speed felt natural and appropriate on the open road, so long as it was done in an orderly and safe manner. To my mind that is how it should be.
When the NSL was introduced I regarded it as an unjustified interference with my freedom - a freedom that I have always exercised very carefully - so I disregarded it, as indeed I still do.
Having said that, I do now pay more attention to speed limits in built-up areas, and I try to keep within those limits, or at least not exceed them by much. In any event, speed limits are an extremely crude and unreliable means of improving road safety, and I think we are doing more harm than good with the current policies that place so much emphasis on that aspect.
I shall probably return to this subject again before too long, meanwhile it is time for some zzzzzzzzzz.
Good night all, and best wishes,
Dave.
deltaf said:
Yes i must always speed. Partly because i know its the right thing to do, and partly because "they" say i shouldnt do it and will "get me" if i dont obey them.
Well bo-llocks to them i say. I shall speed wherever and whenever i deem it possible and prudent. I dont need a sign to tell me to "slow down" or "kill your speed"
What i need is a sign telling me where the DANGER areas are, thats where ill slow down, if only to make others feel safe. As for the rest of it, they can go wind a big fat wossname into themselves, i wont comply, ever!
Give me a reason, a VALID reason to slow down and ill consider it, otherwise they can take a powder, and i wont do it.
Im an individual, and i take my safety and that of others seriously. If i go slower just cos some sign installed by a half brain parish council says so, then i could actually be contributing to the possiblility of danger to others. Consequently ill drive at a speed *I* feel is prudent and safe. If they dont agree, then catch me if you can. Otherwise
Attitude or what?
I felt sure we could rely on deltaf
In fact I very largely agree with those sentiments, although I might have expressed them differently.
Unlike most PHers I am in the fortunate position of having started my motoring career several years before the NSL was ever inflicted on us, and therefore to me the natural regime was no overall speed limit at all outside of built-up areas. As a result I became accustomed to the acceptability of driving at whatever speed felt natural and appropriate on the open road, so long as it was done in an orderly and safe manner. To my mind that is how it should be.
When the NSL was introduced I regarded it as an unjustified interference with my freedom - a freedom that I have always exercised very carefully - so I disregarded it, as indeed I still do.
Having said that, I do now pay more attention to speed limits in built-up areas, and I try to keep within those limits, or at least not exceed them by much. In any event, speed limits are an extremely crude and unreliable means of improving road safety, and I think we are doing more harm than good with the current policies that place so much emphasis on that aspect.
I shall probably return to this subject again before too long, meanwhile it is time for some zzzzzzzzzz.
Good night all, and best wishes,
Dave.
Interesting question.
Indeed - I think some people absolutely must speed - and drive like loons - and disregard everyone else's safety because they have a bad attitide.
The rest of us travel faster than the speed limit when we feel that the limit is inappropriate for the conditions. (As I do)
But many do this through lack of observation, I'm afraid. I've been in the car with newbies who are doing forty and I ask them what the speed limit is and they confidently say "40" as they have looked out the window and have competely failed to spot either the-off great big sign with 30 on it OR a range of hazards that justify the thirty...
As an IAM Observer I spend a lot of time practicing driving within the speed limit. So when I speed I do it knowingly and with malice aforethought - not accidentally.
I tend to stick to the limits in 30s, 40s and 50s - unless I find they are ridiculous (political limits I call 'em - not one's with safety in mind). Elsewhere? Well - "Speed Matters" eh?
Indeed - I think some people absolutely must speed - and drive like loons - and disregard everyone else's safety because they have a bad attitide.
The rest of us travel faster than the speed limit when we feel that the limit is inappropriate for the conditions. (As I do)
But many do this through lack of observation, I'm afraid. I've been in the car with newbies who are doing forty and I ask them what the speed limit is and they confidently say "40" as they have looked out the window and have competely failed to spot either the
-off great big sign with 30 on it OR a range of hazards that justify the thirty... As an IAM Observer I spend a lot of time practicing driving within the speed limit. So when I speed I do it knowingly and with malice aforethought - not accidentally.
I tend to stick to the limits in 30s, 40s and 50s - unless I find they are ridiculous (political limits I call 'em - not one's with safety in mind). Elsewhere? Well - "Speed Matters" eh?
Also in agreement with deltaf. If by speeding you mean breaking arbitrarily posted limits then yes, as you can't seem to go more than 5 mins in a car these days without finding an inappropriately low limit. If by speeding you mean driving with inappropriately high speed, then no, I don't have to.
Don said:
....
The rest of us travel faster than the speed limit when we feel that the limit is inappropriate for the conditions. (As I do)
....
I tend to stick to the limits in 30s, 40s and 50s - unless I find they are ridiculous (political limits I call 'em - not one's with safety in mind). Elsewhere? Well - "Speed Matters" eh?
Spot on!
People now consider a speed limit to be the safe speed, because that's what they're told by the "speed kills" propaganda. But a desrestricted road was never meant to be like this! All it meant was that you should drive at a safe speed for the vehicle and conditions and that there was no arbitrary limit. Now people try to do the NSL whatever the vehicle/conditions (except the 45mph numpties of course). That's why we'll continue to see more and more "political" limits imposed on perfectly reasonable roads to protect (from themselves) those who believe that the limit is the safe speed.
pbrettle said:
Not suggesting that we all need to drive below the speed limits, but as per usual the minority ruin it for the majority of safe drivers....
Can you define the connection between 'speeding' and 'safe'?
Take a road that has been NSL for decades. You would have been quite happy to see people driving along it at 60. When the local Council suddenly makes it 30, why are you so troubed? The road is the same; it's only the number on the tin sign that's different. How far do you go? If every road is reduced to 10, will you be upset at people who do 15?
As posted limits get increasingly unrelated to the road they are on, people with the ability to think will use their judgement.
And that's what a large part of safe driving is about: judgement and competence. Not simply matching your speedo to the tin sign and switching your brain off.
simpo two said:
Not suggesting that we all need to drive below the speed limits, but as per usual the minority ruin it for the majority of safe drivers....
Can you define the connection between 'speeding' and 'safe'?
Take a road that has been NSL for decades. You would have been quite happy to see people driving along it at 60. When the local Council suddenly makes it 30, why are you so troubed? The road is the same; it's only the number on the tin sign that's different. How far do you go? If every road is reduced to 10, will you be upset at people who do 15?
As posted limits get increasingly unrelated to the road they are on, people with the ability to think will use their judgement.
And that's what a large part of safe driving is about: judgement and competence. Not simply matching your speedo to the tin sign and switching your brain off.
Well said.
simpo two said:
And that's what a large part of safe driving is about: judgement and competence.
Unfortunately, some of the idiots I deal with in their Novas and similar, haven't got the intelligence, skill or experience to be able to make such a judgement.
ledfoot said:
Like others here, I get really annoyed by people that stick to speed limits. Why do they do it ??
To avoid getting points and being fined?
I personally don;t have any problem with people sticking to the speed limits...or wearing their seatbelts...thats up to them...but if they drive at 40mph in a 60mph they are only capable of acheiving 66% of the speed limit....what would happen if everyone followed that ethos? Another thing (Favourite subject if you hadn't noticed) people who can't do AT LEAST 60mph on a motorway shouldn;t be on the motorway...HGV's SHOULD NOT have to pull out of the inside lane to overtake a car for gods sake....the motorway would be a MUCH safer place if there were a minimum 60mph in place for cars. Trucks get the blame for all sorts of fatalities but in most cases its because they simply cannot avoid something that another stupid driver has done!
BigBazza said:
I speed pretty much everywhere that I see fit, but the people who REALLY get my goat up are those that do 45mph on a nice open NSL road and get angry when you push/overtake them...then they proceed to drive at the very same 45mph past a primary school at 3.30 in the afternoon in a small village....but its me thats in the wrong obviously coz I wanted to go 80mph (and the rest) in the open country
Absolutely right!
Some days I feel like horsing along, some days I don't. Some days (especially when it's wet or raining) I feel like being a bit more careful... well, steady really.
I don't think it's speed itself that's the problem - I do get a bit concerned though when I see slower drivers (and they might be going slower for a whole number of reasons) described as generic "numpties", and the apparent anger at these so-called "morons" who are only going about the roads at whatever speed suits them. There is no minimum speed - if we have the right to drive fast, they have the right to drive slow and we shouldn't be getting upset about it. Find a spot and get past but don't get upset about it!
It's interesting though that if I am in the Saab I am probably seen by most sports car drivers as a dawdling numpty - even although I might be doing a speed only slightly slower than "you" want to.
I remember some tit in a vectra following me in the TVR over a twisty wee road in the peak hour - traffic going both ways etc - when I wasn't really trying, because it wasn't worth it in those traffic conditions. Vectra man bounces out of his car at traffic signals at a narrow bridge and says "if you are going to get a car like that at least learn to drive it fast" - up until then I hadn't realised he'd been trying. Who is the moron? He thinks I am, I think he is. And I'm right. Of course.
Driving slower than you is not a fault... it doesn't mean that I am scared (the "driving gloves" thread was talking about getting sweaty palms at 100 mph. I don't...) - but I am aware of how fast the world can go tits up when somebody else makes a mistake and you end up in the middle of it because you couldn't stop in time or avoid it.
By all means, drive at whatever speed you like. I do sometimes. But FFS do it calmly in the awareness that, if things go wrong, not for you but for anybody else, your speed *could* be seen as a contributory factor, whether it really was, or not.
Also be aware that if you hoon past a line of cars at 100 mph, and then a mile up the road you see a junction with some old biddy waiting, and you close down to say 40, and she still pulls out and you crash, you are shortly to be joined by a line of witnesses who will tell the inevitable cops that you just passed them doing 100... so guess what speed the old biddy will say you were doing, no matter how careful you were? yup.
Be careful out there my PH chums...
ledfoot said:
Like others here, I get really annoyed by people that stick to speed limits. Why do they do it.
I have absolutely no problem whatsoever with people that stick to the speed limit. If they don't feel comfortable driving at a higer speed, then no one should force them to. I do get a little annoyed by people that drive considerably lower than the speed limit when the road conditions don't warrant it, and I get veryy annoyed by people who feel they should devote thier life into slowing other people down by swerving out when you overtake them, or madly flashing headlights after you have got past them.
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