What is it about 45mph?
Discussion
Is there something built in to certain people's subconscious minds that makes 45mph a cruising speed?
It seems that more often than not cars that are capable of safely cruising at the NSL are drivien at exactly 45mph....everywhere!
Why not 40 or 48...it is always 45.
I overtook one last night, then another and waited behind another until my turnoff as I was morbidly curious to see if the speed would change. In 5 miles over different scenery and conditions it didnt.
Any explanations?
It seems that more often than not cars that are capable of safely cruising at the NSL are drivien at exactly 45mph....everywhere!
Why not 40 or 48...it is always 45.
I overtook one last night, then another and waited behind another until my turnoff as I was morbidly curious to see if the speed would change. In 5 miles over different scenery and conditions it didnt.
Any explanations?
I went on journey over the weekend, saw me traveling on the A43 and A16. Possibly the dullest road ever, miles upon miles of flat straight roads, it felt like the States.
Yet still, people sitting at 40-45mph (it was NSL). I must have overtaken 30+ cars in a short space of time. Problem was, traffic the other way was fairly busy, so it was hard making progress.
I'm not saying its right, or I done it, but with those roads, you'd be fine sitting at 70mph+, its straight and no hills, corners etc.
Also, I'm adamant that Saturday is the new Sunday for drivers. Saturday tends to be full of the 40mph everywhere brigade, and Sunday now seem quieter. I put it down to petrol being so expensive, so people dordal (sp?) about, then the snow tops cant afford it full stop, so don't go out on Sundays.
Yet still, people sitting at 40-45mph (it was NSL). I must have overtaken 30+ cars in a short space of time. Problem was, traffic the other way was fairly busy, so it was hard making progress.
I'm not saying its right, or I done it, but with those roads, you'd be fine sitting at 70mph+, its straight and no hills, corners etc.
Also, I'm adamant that Saturday is the new Sunday for drivers. Saturday tends to be full of the 40mph everywhere brigade, and Sunday now seem quieter. I put it down to petrol being so expensive, so people dordal (sp?) about, then the snow tops cant afford it full stop, so don't go out on Sundays.
It is all down to the angle your foot is on the accelerator. It is most comfortable at 40-45mph angle. Try it, at 30 mph you have to hold your foot but at 40-45 mph it just rests on the accelerator, and then for 70-80mph you flex it down. Combine this with people who use the car just like they use a fridge or washing machine and there you go steady eddy everywhere. You could look at speed as a spectrum 40 mph being the beige end of the spectrum
Jasandjules said:
Yup, 42 out here in Sunny Suffolk, unless there is a bend, at which point it's down to 20-30mph....You'd think that people with less life left to live would want to get to where they are going faster.....
Seems to be a coalition of red renault scenics around bury st eds pulling this trick. Love em!Jasandjules said:
Yup, 42 out here in Sunny Suffolk, unless there is a bend, at which point it's down to 20-30mph....You'd think that people with less life left to live would want to get to where they are going faster.....
Yep, anchors on at each corner, and round it, then pull away in 5th, judder, back to 42.Jasandjules said:
gtdc said:
It's 42 when they'renear me. With a hat usually.
Yup, 42 out here in Sunny Suffolk, unless there is a bend, at which point it's down to 20-30mph....You'd think that people with less life left to live would want to get to where they are going faster.....Over in North Essex things are pretty similar; although we seem to suffer the "strailgater" more than anywhere else. They are people who own large, powerful cars that are poor on twisty sections. Big Audis and Range Rover Sports are the worst culprits here. They have the grunt to eclipse my poor Corolla on gentle bends and straights but are left behind on the technical bits. It's like I'm towing them with a vast bungee strap.
Futuramic said:
Jasandjules said:
gtdc said:
It's 42 when they'renear me. With a hat usually.
Yup, 42 out here in Sunny Suffolk, unless there is a bend, at which point it's down to 20-30mph....You'd think that people with less life left to live would want to get to where they are going faster.....Over in North Essex things are pretty similar; although we seem to suffer the "strailgater" more than anywhere else. They are people who own large, powerful cars that are poor on twisty sections. Big Audis and Range Rover Sports are the worst culprits here. They have the grunt to eclipse my poor Corolla on gentle bends and straights but are left behind on the technical bits. It's like I'm towing them with a vast bungee strap.
Reedy Aero said:
Get it all the time - NSL - Pass said 45'er - get to 40/30 limit zone and they are sat up your chuff!
Which makes overtaking a bit of a pointless exercise. Just sit back, enjoy the scenery and reduce your stress levels.Oh I forgot, this is PH where speed matters. Trouble is a lot of people out there don't see the need to speed everywhere at the speed limit, and 45 is a comfortable speed to drive at, probably more fuel efficient, and you get to where you are going almost as quickly.
Monkeylegend said:
Oh I forgot, this is PH where speed matters. Trouble is a lot of people out there don't see the need to speed everywhere at the speed limit, and 45 is a comfortable speed to drive at
This is the irony though, they ARE speeding through the 30s. This arguably far more dangerous than speeding a bit in the NSL sections.The highway code also recommends making "good progress" and not hold up other motorists, doing 42/45 in NSL's (where 55/60 is perfectly safe & feasible) is simply poor driving.
So, whilst they *may* save some fuel, they make the roads more dangerous by "forcing" more overtaking than is necessary in the NSL sections and then speeding through the built up areas.
Futuramic said:
Jasandjules said:
gtdc said:
It's 42 when they'renear me. With a hat usually.
Yup, 42 out here in Sunny Suffolk, unless there is a bend, at which point it's down to 20-30mph....You'd think that people with less life left to live would want to get to where they are going faster.....Over in North Essex things are pretty similar; although we seem to suffer the "strailgater" more than anywhere else. They are people who own large, powerful cars that are poor on twisty sections. Big Audis and Range Rover Sports are the worst culprits here. They have the grunt to eclipse my poor Corolla on gentle bends and straights but are left behind on the technical bits. It's like I'm towing them with a vast bungee strap.
Monkeylegend said:
Reedy Aero said:
Get it all the time - NSL - Pass said 45'er - get to 40/30 limit zone and they are sat up your chuff!
Which makes overtaking a bit of a pointless exercise. Just sit back, enjoy the scenery and reduce your stress levels.Oh I forgot, this is PH where speed matters. Trouble is a lot of people out there don't see the need to speed everywhere at the speed limit, and 45 is a comfortable speed to drive at, probably more fuel efficient, and you get to where you are going almost as quickly.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff