Why SHOULDN'T I drive to the speed limit?
Discussion
If the speed limit on a road is suitable for the conditions at the time then why shouldn't I drive to it?
There is a lot of negativity on here about speed limits and a lot of people who say that they regularly break these limits. Each to their own I say.
But if I wish to drive down the road at the speed limit, why should I be persecuted for this?
If I want to travel at 30mph in a 30mph why should I be tailgated and harassed just because I wish to do the limit.
Someone please give me a valid reason why I shouldn't drive at the speed limit as long as the conditions allow.
I am really interested to know a reason why as some comments I have received on this forum when stating this are plainly abusive.
There is a lot of negativity on here about speed limits and a lot of people who say that they regularly break these limits. Each to their own I say.
But if I wish to drive down the road at the speed limit, why should I be persecuted for this?
If I want to travel at 30mph in a 30mph why should I be tailgated and harassed just because I wish to do the limit.
Someone please give me a valid reason why I shouldn't drive at the speed limit as long as the conditions allow.
I am really interested to know a reason why as some comments I have received on this forum when stating this are plainly abusive.
Becasue the great minority of speed limits are innapropriately low
Perhaps your thoughs will be more warmly received on www.idrivelikeanumpty.co.uk
Perhaps your thoughs will be more warmly received on www.idrivelikeanumpty.co.uk
Funky - I agree with what you're saying - drive at 30mph through town and you'll get buses/4x4s driving 2mm from your rear bumper with angry looking drivers trying to hurry you along.
However, have you ever been to Oxfordshire? 50mph limits along most of the country roads. Plus the limits frequently go 60/50/40/30/40/50/40/50 - makes for a very frustrating journey even if you're happy to stick to completely inappropriate limits in the middle of nowhere where the road is open and there are not even any hedgehogs to run over.
However, have you ever been to Oxfordshire? 50mph limits along most of the country roads. Plus the limits frequently go 60/50/40/30/40/50/40/50 - makes for a very frustrating journey even if you're happy to stick to completely inappropriate limits in the middle of nowhere where the road is open and there are not even any hedgehogs to run over.
I dont actually have a problem with people who drive at the speed limit on a nice clear road. It's the law and they are obviously a law abiding person. But what really winds me up is driving at 55 in a NSL. Why on earth would someone do that...those 5mph make almost no difference to their ability to react etc but they do wind up everybody who catches up with them...!
You shouldnt feel intimidated if you are doing the speed limit, not for one minute.
But then if you are and are happy doing it and you are happy for other people to break it then perhaps a bit of leniency on both sides is the way forward?
i.e. we'll be nice to you if you stop bloody banging on about single issue road safety.
Hows that?
But then if you are and are happy doing it and you are happy for other people to break it then perhaps a bit of leniency on both sides is the way forward?
i.e. we'll be nice to you if you stop bloody banging on about single issue road safety.
Hows that?
You haven't been persecuted.
But to answer your question: There is absolutely no reason why you should not drive at the speed limit - given that road conditions mean that it is safe. It is your perogative as the driver to choose your speed (still).
Choosing to drive significantly below the speed limit is inconsiderate in the extreme, unless conditions require it, or it is easy to pass. People have been prosecuted for this - rightly IMO.
Choosing to drive significantly above the limit is, again, the perogative of the driver, given that conditions allow. If they do not the offence is Dangerous Driving - and people have, rightly, been prosecuted for it.
You do get the odd loon who has steam coming out of his ears because, in their view, you are travelling too slowly for the road/conditions. If you are below the speed limit in this case - then you are part of the problem - although there is still no excuse for tailgating and monstering the car in front!
In the above case if you are *doing* the speed limit then the driver behind is totally in the wrong.
No one should expect someone else to break the law for their convenience.
As a driver should you choose to break the law by travelling above the speed limit - well - its your choice.
But to answer your question: There is absolutely no reason why you should not drive at the speed limit - given that road conditions mean that it is safe. It is your perogative as the driver to choose your speed (still).
Choosing to drive significantly below the speed limit is inconsiderate in the extreme, unless conditions require it, or it is easy to pass. People have been prosecuted for this - rightly IMO.
Choosing to drive significantly above the limit is, again, the perogative of the driver, given that conditions allow. If they do not the offence is Dangerous Driving - and people have, rightly, been prosecuted for it.
You do get the odd loon who has steam coming out of his ears because, in their view, you are travelling too slowly for the road/conditions. If you are below the speed limit in this case - then you are part of the problem - although there is still no excuse for tailgating and monstering the car in front!
In the above case if you are *doing* the speed limit then the driver behind is totally in the wrong.
No one should expect someone else to break the law for their convenience.
As a driver should you choose to break the law by travelling above the speed limit - well - its your choice.
WOW, only 2 out of 7 responses being abusive.
Fair points all, I cannot give a better reason for stopping people speeding other than the fact that it makes me very very uncomfortable when cycling. This obviously only applies to the numpties who get too close to me when speeding, good drivers obviously give me room. Same with the p**s poor drivers who tailgate in a 30mph zone, numpty drivers.
All I can say is this, try cycling down a road with idiots brushing your elbow at 70mph+ on a single carriageway, its enough to make you very angry.
I think i'm still a bit annoyed at the closing speed in my mirror that some idiots do even in 30's when driving in my girlfriend's local town. When you stick to speed limits in 30's you do get a lot of hassle from numpty drivers and it does annoy you!
Fair points all, I cannot give a better reason for stopping people speeding other than the fact that it makes me very very uncomfortable when cycling. This obviously only applies to the numpties who get too close to me when speeding, good drivers obviously give me room. Same with the p**s poor drivers who tailgate in a 30mph zone, numpty drivers.
All I can say is this, try cycling down a road with idiots brushing your elbow at 70mph+ on a single carriageway, its enough to make you very angry.
I think i'm still a bit annoyed at the closing speed in my mirror that some idiots do even in 30's when driving in my girlfriend's local town. When you stick to speed limits in 30's you do get a lot of hassle from numpty drivers and it does annoy you!
funkyrobot said:
If the speed limit on a road is suitable for the conditions at the time then why shouldn't I drive to it?
Nobody's saying you shouldn't keep below the speed limit.
What they are saying is that you refuse to entertain the notion that an arbitrary limit is not related to road safety, even when presented with proof.
That's exactly it - I don't think anyone on this forum would protest at doing 30mph in a very built up area, or near schools etc. However, alot of roads are being reduced from a national speed limit to 40 or 50. And, as has been said, there are many drivers who are simply unaware of their surroundings (never mind the speed limits) and just do 40mph regardless.
While there's nothing illegal about doing 40mph in a 60mph limit, the people concerned cause other drivers to become frustrated at a perceived lack of progress. And yes, we all know that unless it's a very long journey, the time saved by doing 60 rather than 40 is not very significant. However, rightly or wrongly, some other drivers (a good percentage of them from what I've seen) find it irritating and frustrating to be stuck behind such a car. In some cases, this affects the quality of their driving. In the worst cases, accidents can occur because of impatience. Now, the chap doing 40mph will say (quite rightly) that it was the other guys fault......but if i said to him that he could have prevented the accident by driving to the speed limit, and therefore not upsetting the driver behind. I wonder what the response would be??
J.
While there's nothing illegal about doing 40mph in a 60mph limit, the people concerned cause other drivers to become frustrated at a perceived lack of progress. And yes, we all know that unless it's a very long journey, the time saved by doing 60 rather than 40 is not very significant. However, rightly or wrongly, some other drivers (a good percentage of them from what I've seen) find it irritating and frustrating to be stuck behind such a car. In some cases, this affects the quality of their driving. In the worst cases, accidents can occur because of impatience. Now, the chap doing 40mph will say (quite rightly) that it was the other guys fault......but if i said to him that he could have prevented the accident by driving to the speed limit, and therefore not upsetting the driver behind. I wonder what the response would be??
J.
funkyrobot said:
WOW, only 2 out of 7 responses being abusive.
And what is more, you'll get most people here agreeing with this: funkyrobot said:
Fair points all, I cannot give a better reason for stopping people speeding other than the fact that it makes me very very uncomfortable when cycling. This obviously only applies to the numpties who get too close to me when speeding, good drivers obviously give me room. Same with the p**s poor drivers who tailgate in a 30mph zone, numpty drivers.
All I can say is this, try cycling down a road with idiots brushing your elbow at 70mph+ on a single carriageway, its enough to make you very angry.
I think i'm still a bit annoyed at the closing speed in my mirror that some idiots do even in 30's when driving in my girlfriend's local town. When you stick to speed limits in 30's you do get a lot of hassle from numpty drivers and it does annoy you!
It's not the speed that's the problem! It's crap driving.
I'll tell you what grates me...
Is, around Wiltshire, we have some wonderful sweeping wide A-roads... which are now 40 and 50mph roads.. (used to be national speed limit)
Now, most modern cars could safely do 60mph very easily (and much faster) on these roads...
But, the tiny, single lanes with the high hedges and blind corners - they are still 60mph...
pure lunacy!
Is, around Wiltshire, we have some wonderful sweeping wide A-roads... which are now 40 and 50mph roads.. (used to be national speed limit)
Now, most modern cars could safely do 60mph very easily (and much faster) on these roads...
But, the tiny, single lanes with the high hedges and blind corners - they are still 60mph...
pure lunacy!
*pulls on flame-proof suit...*
"Prince" Naseem Hamed has just had a nasty accident in which the driver of a VW Golf has been rather badly injured. Current reports tell a confused tale, but it seems as though Nas was overtaking a long queue of cars on an NSL road at (judging by the final result) way more than the 60mph speed limit. Nobody has said how fast the queue of cars was travelling but it was presumably at or below the NSL.
A speed camera at the location where the accident happened would have almost certainly stopped Nas from trying to overtake the queue and would have prevented the accident.
Discuss.
(Funkyrobot, I don't mean to hijack your thread but this question is kinda related to your point of view, I guess?)
"Prince" Naseem Hamed has just had a nasty accident in which the driver of a VW Golf has been rather badly injured. Current reports tell a confused tale, but it seems as though Nas was overtaking a long queue of cars on an NSL road at (judging by the final result) way more than the 60mph speed limit. Nobody has said how fast the queue of cars was travelling but it was presumably at or below the NSL.
A speed camera at the location where the accident happened would have almost certainly stopped Nas from trying to overtake the queue and would have prevented the accident.
Discuss.
(Funkyrobot, I don't mean to hijack your thread but this question is kinda related to your point of view, I guess?)
funkyrobot said:
good drivers obviously give me room. Same with the p**s poor drivers who tailgate in a 30mph zone, numpty drivers.
All I can say is this, try cycling down a road with idiots brushing your elbow at 70mph+ on a single carriageway, its enough to make you very angry.
Exactly why increased driver training and education is required first and foremost.
As a frequent cyclist also, I feel just as mortal when someone buzzes me at 30mph as when they do it at higher speeds. I will end up just as dead if they hit me.
sublimatica said:
*pulls on flame-proof suit...*
"Prince" Naseem Hamed has just had a nasty accident in which the driver of a VW Golf has been rather badly injured. Current reports tell a confused tale, but it seems as though Nas was overtaking a long queue of cars on an NSL road at (judging by the final result) way more than the 60mph speed limit. Nobody has said how fast the queue of cars was travelling but it was presumably at or below the NSL.
A speed camera at the location where the accident happened would have almost certainly stopped Nas from trying to overtake the queue and would have prevented the accident.
Discuss.
(Funkyrobot, I don't mean to hijack your thread but this question is kinda related to your point of view, I guess?)
I believe this is a case of:
"Drive like a cock and you'll crash regardless of the speed/speed limit"
Why shouldn't you drive to the limit?
I don't know - why shouldn't you? You're the bloody driver, its up to you.
Where you (or others) feel the speed limit is inappropriate, then its entirely at your discretion as to whether you choose to break it or not. If you do break it and get caught - bad luck I say.
I don't know - why shouldn't you? You're the bloody driver, its up to you.
Where you (or others) feel the speed limit is inappropriate, then its entirely at your discretion as to whether you choose to break it or not. If you do break it and get caught - bad luck I say.
funkyrobot said:
I cannot give a better reason for stopping people speeding other than the fact that it makes me very very uncomfortable when cycling.
This obviously only applies to the numpties 1 who get too close to me when speeding , good drivers obviously give me room. Same with the p**s poor drivers who tailgate in a 30mph zone, numpty drivers.
All I can say is this, try cycling down a road with idiots brushing your elbow at 70mph+ on a single carriageway its enough to make you very angry.
What this implies is that poor driving is the problem not speed per se. You seem to imply that speed is the cause of your issue not crap driving.
I'm also a cyclist & obviously a driver, what I notice is many many people are very scared to cross any white lines at all, they give little room & follow way too close.
What your are highlighting is poor driving through lack of education & training, you seriously think changing drivers speed only will change that problem
I would much rather whilst cycling be passed on a left hand bend by an advanced driver using Roadcraft who has good visibilty, gives me a wide berth even if at speed. Sadly this is probably 1-10000 motorists here in the UK, however in Germany where folk are taught IAM equivelant standards at L test time it'll be more like 1-100 hence partly why cycling is so much more popular over there.
>> Edited by cptsideways on Tuesday 3rd May 16:50
>> Edited by cptsideways on Tuesday 3rd May 16:51
Robotic thinker:
What relevance does the limit have?
Road conditions change, are you unable to understand this or do you think the limit makes you "safe" irrespective?
I'd rather be in the presence of drivers who don't use the limit rigidly as a safety parameter.
Get stuck behind a driver who sticks like glue to every limit and within a short time you will very likely see them make all sorts of driver errors which irritate and endanger other drivers. Usually they are a bumbly "flat cap".
Why SHOULD you drive to the limit? (ignore Judge Dread, "because it's the Law", can you come up with any other reasons?)
What relevance does the limit have?
Road conditions change, are you unable to understand this or do you think the limit makes you "safe" irrespective?
I'd rather be in the presence of drivers who don't use the limit rigidly as a safety parameter.
Get stuck behind a driver who sticks like glue to every limit and within a short time you will very likely see them make all sorts of driver errors which irritate and endanger other drivers. Usually they are a bumbly "flat cap".
Why SHOULD you drive to the limit? (ignore Judge Dread, "because it's the Law", can you come up with any other reasons?)
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