Puzzled about........
Discussion
I have been giving this some thought over the last few days.
It would appear that everyone on PH wants to drive as fast as they can and their vehicle will allow. They spend tens of thousands of pounds on their chosen method of transport and claim to be driving enthusiasts. "We love driving our cars!" is the message I get.
Why then, is it so important to drive them as fast as possible to get somewhere to save time (as is often quoted as a reason....."It saves me xxx minutes, over a week that is a large part of my life."
This is from people who enjoy driving
If they enjoy driving their expensive toys so much, surely they should want to make it last longer by driving slower so they can get the maximum benefit from driving it, sitting in it, experiencing the qualities (apart from the speed as anyone even a halfwit can press a pedal down hard
) of the design they have chosen?
Most cars, even Euro boxes have fast capabilities these days. Why spend thousands on a car to spend less time in it when it is your passion above all passions?
>>> Edited by gone on Monday 7th March 10:37
It would appear that everyone on PH wants to drive as fast as they can and their vehicle will allow. They spend tens of thousands of pounds on their chosen method of transport and claim to be driving enthusiasts. "We love driving our cars!" is the message I get.
Why then, is it so important to drive them as fast as possible to get somewhere to save time (as is often quoted as a reason....."It saves me xxx minutes, over a week that is a large part of my life."
This is from people who enjoy driving
If they enjoy driving their expensive toys so much, surely they should want to make it last longer by driving slower so they can get the maximum benefit from driving it, sitting in it, experiencing the qualities (apart from the speed as anyone even a halfwit can press a pedal down hard
) of the design they have chosen? Most cars, even Euro boxes have fast capabilities these days. Why spend thousands on a car to spend less time in it when it is your passion above all passions?
>>> Edited by gone on Monday 7th March 10:37
People here don't want to drive fast. They want to drive at a speed which is safe for the conditions.
What they object to is being told what is safe, when they know (invariably) better.
Having a fast car doesn't mean you drive fast everywhere. I drive more slowly than many people in vans/lorries/mondeos than I care to count. However, when I see a nice bendy bit of road, which I can safely drive over at 60-70mph, I don't want to be limited to 40mph just because a few councillors thought it would be safer to reduce the limit on my behalf.
What they object to is being told what is safe, when they know (invariably) better.
Having a fast car doesn't mean you drive fast everywhere. I drive more slowly than many people in vans/lorries/mondeos than I care to count. However, when I see a nice bendy bit of road, which I can safely drive over at 60-70mph, I don't want to be limited to 40mph just because a few councillors thought it would be safer to reduce the limit on my behalf.
I was watching the Elise 'chase' video on here from a few days back. Awful postioning throughout by both the Lotus and Ferrari. Yet in the responses several people slagged off the positioning of the unmarked car, which i thought was excellent throughout, gaining maximum vision on bends, choosing apexes on the roundabouts for maximum stability and smoothness etc. Yet they were accused of 'cutting corners' and 'crossing lanes'. An awful lot of people who own seriously fast and expensive cars, can't drive them for s**t! They think that a few track days a year make them good drivers. It does absolutely nothing for improved skill or safety on public highways (light touch paper and stand back...)
gone said:
I have been giving this some thought over the last few days.
It would appear that everyone on PH wants to drive as fast as they can and their vehicle will allow. They spend tens of thousands of pounds on their chosen method of transport and claim to be driving enthusiasts. "We love driving our cars!" is the message I get.
Why then, is it so important to drive them as fast as possible to get somewhere to save time (as is often quoted as a reason....."It saves me xxx minutes, over a week that is a large part of my life."
This is from people who enjoy driving
If they enjoy driving their expensive toys so much, surely they should want to make it last longer by driving slower so they can get the maximum benefit from driving it, sitting in it, experiencing the qualities (apart from the speed as anyone even a halfwit can press a pedal down hard
Most cars, even Euro boxes have fast capabilities these days. Why spend thousands on a car to spend less time in it when it is your passion above all passions?
>>> Edited by gone on Monday 7th March 10:37
I can only speak for myself, but no I don't. I actually drive much slower than I did previously (due to increasing age and children I suspect). I drive a rather ponderous 1.6 Picasso, and prior to that a 798cc Daewoo Matiz. I am not a speed freak. I don't like fast cars in fact
I do however object to the implementation of the Camera policy, which is designed purely to make money.
I can only comment about Norfolk really, but having spent half my life here (ooh arr :-)) I can tell you two things for a fact ; speed limits are being reduced repeatedly where it is simply not necessary (simultaneously no action is taken to improve incredibly dangerous road junctions) and Speed Cameras and Trafpol/Scamvans place themselves where there are easy catches, not where the accidents happen or the roads are dangerous.
What this means is you can drive like a loony with impunity in much of the north of the county, while the "safety" people hover on the few dual carriageways (mostly in the south of the county). (This is probably partly connected with the location of the Police HQ)
This is part of a general county policy of decreasing the road capacity whilst simultaneously not providing anything to replace it, combined with a planning policy which appears to be run by bribery (the only reason I can think of for some things being allowed).
I would agree with you that the difference between 60 and 70 mph can be miniscule, and that people who drive insanely fast should be stopped. I have no problem with Streetcops application of the laws (he has been quite detailed about it) which is discretionary.
But the anti-car brigade are going after soft targets.
You recall you posted of the two tier justice system ?
Well, from the point of view of increasing numbers of the public the Police ignore large swathes of crimes and refuse to take any preventative action (pace recent arguments over Mile Cross here regarding its non-policing), whilst simultaneously pushing a zero tolerance on rather dubious speed cameras and speed limits.
Policemen will say "it's the law" , and it is. However, the law needs to be applied consistently in a balanced fashion.
This might be unfair ; but that's what it looks like !
Hollywood Wheels said:
They want to drive at a speed which is safe for the conditions.
Don't you mean at a speed which they think is safe for the conditions? Until it goes tits up that is? Other than that what you're saying is fair enough...
Which might be a fair point if there was any evidence to suggest that the politically motivated muppets that set speed limits were in possession, between them, of the brains dished out to the average slug.
Hollywood Wheels said:
They want to drive at a speed which is safe for the conditions.
Don't you mean at a speed which they think is safe for the conditions? Until it goes tits up that is? Other than that what you're saying is fair enough...
Fair comment. Some people will misjudge speed, of course.
However, where I live, the Speed Limits are reduced beyond reasonable.
There was a big squabble between Norfolk's and Suffolk's SCP over the blanket 50mph or less on the A140, even Norfolk's SCP thought it was stupid.
It reduces numbers of accidents, largely because it's so appalling now people go the long way round !
Why do SCPs never quote the accident rate in accidents per vehicle kilometre ?
parrot of doom said:
People here don't want to drive fast. They want to drive at a speed which is safe for the conditions.
parrot of doom said:
In another thread said
"Obviously I'm a speed freak." The fact that in 16 years of driving I haven't once had any convictions on my license. I haven't ever had any high speed accidents. All this on an average 15-25000 miles a year, travelling up and down the length and breadth of the country at all times of day/night.
parrot of doom said:
What they object to is being told what is safe, when they know (invariably) better.
Ah yes. I see that every day when they know it is different to that which they are told by local authority and road safety signs which they do not even see little own take any notice of
. Maybe that isn't the reason why they end up into walls and through hedges then 
! parrot of doom said:
Having a fast car doesn't mean you drive fast everywhere.
I accept that in some places you can't because of other stuff going on which stops you. Most people with fast cars, drive them fast most of the time when they can regardless of what they may or may not have noticed around them
parrot of doom said:
I drive more slowly than many people in vans/lorries/mondeos than I care to count. However, when I see a nice bendy bit of road, which I can safely drive over at 60-70mph, I don't want to be limited to 40mph just because a few councillors thought it would be safer to reduce the limit on my behalf.
I understand that. BUT there are too many people out there who are not capable of doing so safely.
If you want to drive your bendy bits fast without fear of prosecution, go to Bruntingthorpe or any other venue, pay your £50 and drive away to your hearts content without worrying about the local authority or for that matter the Police
.Plotloss said:
You're missing the point.
Its less time spent in the car over a given distance.
Which means for a given amount of time you can travel more distance at higher speed equalling more enjoyment.
Simple really
You should never 'hurry a murray' so the advert says.
Nice sweet, pure enjoyment, make it last!
I dont think I've ever made the comment that going quickly has anything to do with saving time - it definiterly ISNT that for me - its the FUN. A mildly twisty road you know well is either a) a joyful, exhilarating ride as you sweep through each bend or b) amazingly frustrating as you're stuck behind someone who thinks that not only is it fine for them to do 35mph on an NSL, but that there is no-one else in the world who matters.....
gone said:
parrot of doom said:
Having a fast car doesn't mean you drive fast everywhere.
I accept that in some places you can't because of other stuff going on which stops you. Most people with fast cars, drive them fast most of the time when they can regardless of what they may or may not have noticed around them
Hi MC..
To be honest I think that is a HUGE generalisation and oversatatement. I normally drive my Chim like a Pansy..
a 50 mph burble about in the sunshine with the roof off is usualy all I need to remove the stresses of the day. Yes, I do drive it at speed sometimes 
(and on a track once in a while), but I consistently drive my Cheap Saxo runabout in a significantly more cavalier fashion than my Chim (albeit still with responsible manner and only when conditions allow)... I don't believe I'm alone in this one. I would suggest it is the young inexperience motorist who drives "fast" most of the time regardless of what they may or may not have noticed around them, rather than the owners of "fast cars". Afterall what is a "fast" car anyway.. a Mundano will do over 130mph.. !
All IMO
Matt.
>> Edited by M@H on Monday 7th March 11:40
Hollywood Wheels said:
I was watching the Elise 'chase' video on here from a few days back. Awful postioning throughout by both the Lotus and Ferrari. Yet in the responses several people slagged off the positioning of the unmarked car, which i thought was excellent throughout, gaining maximum vision on bends, choosing apexes on the roundabouts for maximum stability and smoothness etc. Yet they were accused of 'cutting corners' and 'crossing lanes'.
I tend to agree but the unmarked cop car going through the red light was a risk they didn't need to take.
gone said:
If they enjoy driving their expensive toys so much, surely they should want to make it last longer by driving slower so they can get the maximum benefit from driving it, sitting in it, experiencing the qualities (apart from the speed as anyone even a halfwit can press a pedal down hard
I've often wondered about that myself, spend f knows how much time on the car, keeping it clean, quitta few mods and then my journey is made quicker by a faster car.
I thought that the whole point of inventing the car was to get from A-B faster, same as taking a flight abroad, it's only natural to want to cut out the middle bit.
parrot of doom said:
People here don't want to drive fast. They want to drive at a speed which is safe for the conditions.
What they object to is being told what is safe, when they know (invariably) better.
Having a fast car doesn't mean you drive fast everywhere. I drive more slowly than many people in vans/lorries/mondeos than I care to count. However, when I see a nice bendy bit of road, which I can safely drive over at 60-70mph, I don't want to be limited to 40mph just because a few councillors thought it would be safer to reduce the limit on my behalf.
What he said
gone said:
What they object to is being told what is safe, when they know (invariably) better.
Ah yes. I see that every day when they know it is different to that which they are told by local authority and road safety signs which they do not even see little own take any notice of
You are talking about a minority of drivers, a minority that will get it wrong irrespective of speed cameras, signage and safety aids. Meanwhile those things are an increasing irritation to those of use who can drive safely without ending up in a wall etc.
I think the method by which you enjoy your car changes with age. Certainly, like most youngsters I used to think that blatting about at silly speeds was the only way. However, along with a receding hairline and broadaning girth, age has brought a level of maturity. I now own the quickest and most expensive car I have ever owned and derive pleasure from driving it well, as well as other aspects of ownership; washing and polishing it with my kids and talking about it in pub car parks and internet forums.
pp
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M@H said:
Would it be fair to say that the majoity of drivers that our BiB friends have dealings with are actually the minority of the drivers on the road.. accordingly are their views slanted towards that, and therefore do the lot of us get tarred with the same brush?
Matt.
Seems very likely. I think it's the case that the vast majority of the driving I see around me everyday is pretty adequate, but it's the bleeding idiots I tend to remember and curse about in the pub. This must be multiplied in the case of the rozzers, I should think.
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