RAC / BRAKE collaboration?

[Louis Balfour]

I am just watching a BBC News article. Apparently the RAC has obtained information that reveals how many people have been caught speeding at more than three times the speed limit, in residential areas.

There followed several clips of police pursuits, where presumably the driver being chased had a motivation for speeding, other than testing their car's performance.

Cut to a seemingly outraged young RAC spokesman, who delivered a lecture about drivers exceeding the speed limit.

Ok we know about speeding. But it seemed to me odd that the RAC, a presumably pro-motoring organisation, is doing the work more usually associated with BRAKE.

[CanAm]

Louis Balfour said:

I am just watching a BBC News article. Apparently the RAC has obtained information that reveals how many people have been caught speeding at more than three times the speed limit, in residential areas.

There followed several clips of police pursuits, where presumably the driver being chased had a motivation for speeding, other than testing their car's performance.

Cut to a seemingly outraged young RAC spokesman, who delivered a lecture about drivers exceeding the speed limit.

Ok we know about speeding. But it seemed to me odd that the RAC, a presumably pro-motoring organisation, is doing the work more usually associated with BRAKE.

The RAC has been heading in that direction for a few years now.

[Hubris]

Why is that odd?

Are the RAC supposed to condone speeding on public roads?

[Sporky]

Louis Balfour said:

it seemed to me odd that the RAC, a presumably pro-motoring organisation, is doing the work more usually associated with BRAKE.

Aren't they a pro-motoring-responsibly organisation?

Three times the limit surely isn't something anyone sane condones?

[Zero Fuchs]

Sporky said:

Louis Balfour said:

it seemed to me odd that the RAC, a presumably pro-motoring organisation, is doing the work more usually associated with BRAKE.

Aren't they a pro-motoring-responsibly organisation?

Three times the limit surely isn't something anyone sane condones?

No but PH folk need something to moan about. Being pro motoring and pro speeding are totally unrelated.

Most ordinary folk would baulk at doing 3x the limit in residential areas, irrespective of whether you believe speed kills.

Let me get this straight. The op is moaning because the RAC don't condone doing over 90 in a 30. Jesus wept.

[Riley Blue]

The RAC provides breakdown, insurance and financial services just as many other companies do. I wouldn't consider them 'pro-motoring' any more than, for example, LV is.

They shouldn't be confused with The Royal Automobile Club: https://www.royalautomobileclub.co.uk

[TimmyMallett]

The RAC Foundation - same thing Riley has linked to (if it was that as opposed to the RAC) is separate to the RAC, not that it makes a difference in the eyes of the average person. If it was someone from that it's more of a research/lobbying organisation. It claims to be 'pro motoring' whatever that means.

Edited by TimmyMallett on Thursday 13th February 08:51

[Sporky]

Also the thread title is a good demonstration of Betteridge’s law.

[Krikkit]

Louis Balfour said:

Apparently the RAC has obtained information that reveals how many people have been caught speeding at more than three times the speed limit, in residential areas.

If they're saying you shouldn't be doing 60+ mph in a 20 zone then that's hardly the same as the hand-wringers of BRAKE.

[Baldchap]

Zero Fuchs said:

Let me get this straight. The op is moaning because the RAC don't condone doing over 90 in a 30. Jesus wept.

To be fair to OP it could have been 60 in a 20. Maybe past a school.

[Sebring440]

Louis Balfour said:

RAC / BRAKE collaboration?

Where is the evidence of this collaboration?

[Riley Blue]

TimmyMallett said:

The RAC Foundation - same thing Riley has linked to (if it was that as opposed to the RAC) is separate to the RAC, not that it makes a difference in the eyes of the average person. If it was someone from that it's more of a research/lobbying organisation. It claims to be 'pro motoring' whatever that means.

Edited by TimmyMallett on Thursday 13th February 08:51

It wasn't the same as I linked to but the RAC Foundation can be found here: https://www.racfoundation.org

[QuartzDad]

RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said: "Although this data is a snapshot, it shines a light on the incredibly dangerous actions of a few, that are putting law-abiding road users at serious risk."

Seems fair enough.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gpkgly9qzo

88 in a 20 in North Wales.
122 in a 30 in South Yorkshire.
161 in a 50 on the A303 eastbound in Somerset.
167 in a 70 on the M1 in Leicestershire.

Highest speed by police force https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/XaETC/2/ 84mph on Upper Thames Street in the City at 18:40 must have been a Sunday?

Edited by QuartzDad on Thursday 13th February 09:25

[Dingu]

Having an issue with the RAC position on this is really demonstrating someone who walks around looking for stuff to whinge about.

[BertBert]

It's just the RAC doing PR to promote their business. Just some marketing fluff. Which has worked. Got them some headlines and people taking about them!

[chrisgtx]

Zero Fuchs said:

Sporky said:

Louis Balfour said:

it seemed to me odd that the RAC, a presumably pro-motoring organisation, is doing the work more usually associated with BRAKE.

Aren't they a pro-motoring-responsibly organisation?

Three times the limit surely isn't something anyone sane condones?

No but PH folk need something to moan about. Being pro motoring and pro speeding are totally unrelated.

Most ordinary folk would baulk at doing 3x the limit in residential areas, irrespective of whether you believe speed kills.

Let me get this straight. The op is moaning because the RAC don't condone doing over 90 in a 30. Jesus wept.

The way it come across this morning was that insane speeds involving obvious criminality was linked the same as the average Joe going 25 in a 20.

[DonkeyApple]

BertBert said:

It's just the RAC doing PR to promote their business. Just some marketing fluff. Which has worked. Got them some headlines and people taking about them!

Yup. Like the AA they use opportunities such as this to sell their products.

There is always a risk that they cross the line and act inappropriately and I'm sure some within both organisations genuinely believe they're doing god's work rather than peddling financial services etc.

[Unreal]

chrisgtx said:

Zero Fuchs said:

Sporky said:

Louis Balfour said:

it seemed to me odd that the RAC, a presumably pro-motoring organisation, is doing the work more usually associated with BRAKE.

Aren't they a pro-motoring-responsibly organisation?

Three times the limit surely isn't something anyone sane condones?

No but PH folk need something to moan about. Being pro motoring and pro speeding are totally unrelated.

Most ordinary folk would baulk at doing 3x the limit in residential areas, irrespective of whether you believe speed kills.

Let me get this straight. The op is moaning because the RAC don't condone doing over 90 in a 30. Jesus wept.

The way it come across this morning was that insane speeds involving obvious criminality was linked the same as the average Joe going 25 in a 20.

Exactly that. The vast majority of problem speeders are those that drive around supermarket car parks at 25mph, down busy residential streets with cars either side at 30mph, or steam across unsighted mini-roundabouts because 'right of way' (as seen by the Corsa driver in a recent thread). In the circumstances I've described it's likely the drivers are within the legal speed limit.

[Zero Fuchs]

Unreal said:

chrisgtx said:

Zero Fuchs said:

Sporky said:

Louis Balfour said:

it seemed to me odd that the RAC, a presumably pro-motoring organisation, is doing the work more usually associated with BRAKE.

Aren't they a pro-motoring-responsibly organisation?

Three times the limit surely isn't something anyone sane condones?

No but PH folk need something to moan about. Being pro motoring and pro speeding are totally unrelated.

Most ordinary folk would baulk at doing 3x the limit in residential areas, irrespective of whether you believe speed kills.

Let me get this straight. The op is moaning because the RAC don't condone doing over 90 in a 30. Jesus wept.

The way it come across this morning was that insane speeds involving obvious criminality was linked the same as the average Joe going 25 in a 20.

Exactly that. The vast majority of problem speeders are those that drive around supermarket car parks at 25mph, down busy residential streets with cars either side at 30mph, or steam across unsighted mini-roundabouts because 'right of way' (as seen by the Corsa driver in a recent thread). In the circumstances I've described it's likely the drivers are within the legal speed limit.

Sure but how do we propose to differentiate between the two. If you can cause serious injury within the speed limit. What does that say about those same people exceeding the speed limit?

The chap above mentions average Joe, like they're not the issue. Average Joe is exactly the issue.

I didn't watch/listen to the article but how would anyone propose a legal system that allows whatever speed is deemed 'safe' at any time of the day. I agree that some road you could do 70 but they're limited to 20. But conversely some roads that are 30 clearly shouldn't be. But then my car has much better equipment than another and my driving ability/observation might be better than average.

Seems an impossible problem to solve really.

[Louis Balfour]

chrisgtx said:

Zero Fuchs said:

Sporky said:

Louis Balfour said:

it seemed to me odd that the RAC, a presumably pro-motoring organisation, is doing the work more usually associated with BRAKE.

Aren't they a pro-motoring-responsibly organisation?

Three times the limit surely isn't something anyone sane condones?

No but PH folk need something to moan about. Being pro motoring and pro speeding are totally unrelated.

Most ordinary folk would baulk at doing 3x the limit in residential areas, irrespective of whether you believe speed kills.

Let me get this straight. The op is moaning because the RAC don't condone doing over 90 in a 30. Jesus wept.

The way it come across this morning was that insane speeds involving obvious criminality was linked the same as the average Joe going 25 in a 20.

Precisely this.

What struck me was that this is an organisation whose customer base is motorists. It seemed an odd way to ingratiate themselves with that base.