Why so many accidents
Discussion
Just wondering with the introduction of all the speed cameras on our motorways (M25, M23) why there now seem to be so many accidents and incidents? Have people forgotten how to drive since being locked down in the Covid 19 crisis ?
I get traffic info sent to my mobile phone in the Surrey areas and there now always seem to be a prang and delays of some sort.
Have you noticed an increase in RTA's ?
I get traffic info sent to my mobile phone in the Surrey areas and there now always seem to be a prang and delays of some sort.
Have you noticed an increase in RTA's ?
Feels pretty the same to me as over the last few years. Always seems to go a bit mad when the winter starts and on a long motorway journey I'd expect to see several accidents that slow traffic. Doing NE or NW to SE 4-5 hour journeys on a friday afternoon/evening, I'd not be surprised at see 5 or so accidents. Fortunately we have the lovely sophisticated variable speed limit system to keep the traffic flowing. I wonder what difference it really makes,
Bert
Bert
Personally I just think the standard of driving is getting worse, there’s far too many distractions for people such as mobile phones etc.
Cars are getting faster, quieter and safer and people drive a lot of the time in autopilot, not actually monitoring the traffic and what’s going on ahead of them. They drive the same way, mostly same routes regardless of traffic/ road/ weather conditions.
No personal responsibility, the ‘it’ll never happen to me’ scenario?
Cars are getting faster, quieter and safer and people drive a lot of the time in autopilot, not actually monitoring the traffic and what’s going on ahead of them. They drive the same way, mostly same routes regardless of traffic/ road/ weather conditions.
No personal responsibility, the ‘it’ll never happen to me’ scenario?
A lot of people do find themselves "rusty" after not driving for so long but traffic seems to be largely normal after since the first lockdown ended. Like others have said, too many distractions, too many "it'll never happen to me" idiots and too many people who are just not that good at driving.
Local to me is also a small mini roundabout, the last few weeks I have seen several accidents on it daytime. This could be because it is by a local Wood car park, with the lockdown I have never seen the car park so full, so I guess with the increase of traffic to get to the car park more accidents happen! 
Many of these people would normally be in London working.
Many of these people would normally be in London working. mickyh7 said:
People too interested in looking at their Speedometers and scanning for Speed Cameras.
Then of course, trying to read every new sign thats gone up to try and hold onto their licence!
You don't genuinely believe that people are paying too much attention to be safe drivers do you?Then of course, trying to read every new sign thats gone up to try and hold onto their licence!
Countdown said:
Do you mean incompetent drivers? Anybody who needs to be constantly looking at their speedo to judge what speed they're travelling at shouldn't have a licence.
its the average speed checks that do this.not every car comes with cruise, some cars just breathing on the accelerator will get you moving faster and bam you got a ticket.
Richard-D said:
mickyh7 said:
People too interested in looking at their Speedometers and scanning for Speed Cameras.
Then of course, trying to read every new sign thats gone up to try and hold onto their licence!
You don't genuinely believe that people are paying too much attention to be safe drivers do you?Then of course, trying to read every new sign thats gone up to try and hold onto their licence!
I said "Trying to save their Driving Licences"
Nampahc Niloc said:
Have you got any actual stats to back up that there are more accidents?
No, also the fact that I mentioned speed cameras was a bit of a red herring as what I'm was meaning is with the introduction of all the new cameras Speed is unlikely the issue of these accidents. Could it be that now that so many people are not working this is causing an increase in road usage and many of these people have forgotten driving skills? Just seems there seem to me more prangs in my area lately.
nordboy said:
Cars are getting faster, quieter and safer and people drive a lot of the time in autopilot, not actually monitoring the traffic and what’s going on ahead of them. They drive the same way, mostly same routes regardless of traffic/ road/ weather conditions.
No personal responsibility, the ‘it’ll never happen to me’ scenario?
This. I don't know whether the accident rate is increasing or decreasing, only that there is a lot of shoddy driving around. A lot of the time it's just the basics too such as tailgating, too fast for conditions, no signalling, etc. No personal responsibility, the ‘it’ll never happen to me’ scenario?
mickyh7 said:
Countdown said:
Do you mean incompetent drivers? Anybody who needs to be constantly looking at their speedo to judge what speed they're travelling at shouldn't have a licence.
What absolute rubbish. Try a Smart Motorway in a modern car.
You'd be banned within a week!
Even if you don't have other cars acting as pacemakers I genuinely believe that if you can't judge speed with only an occasional look at the speedo you need driving lessons
I think it's the proliferation of average speed zones.
Miles and miles of sleep inducing monotony with cars traveling at 50mph inches from each other.
Like those scenes from that old programme 'Wacky Races'.
My personal feeling is that when most are making progress, quick overtakes meaning cars only close together for a second or so, and proper lane keeping, then drivers are driving and keeping alert.
Drifting along at 50 with everyone around you moving at the same pace and the sense of danger is gone.
Plus with modern cars people start playing with their infotainment as their attention wanders.
I say this as the owner of an old car that actually involves some interaction with it in order to drive it
Miles and miles of sleep inducing monotony with cars traveling at 50mph inches from each other.
Like those scenes from that old programme 'Wacky Races'.
My personal feeling is that when most are making progress, quick overtakes meaning cars only close together for a second or so, and proper lane keeping, then drivers are driving and keeping alert.
Drifting along at 50 with everyone around you moving at the same pace and the sense of danger is gone.
Plus with modern cars people start playing with their infotainment as their attention wanders.
I say this as the owner of an old car that actually involves some interaction with it in order to drive it
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