In Return for not speeding...

[soulpatch]

Right ok, if I and the rest of the nation promise not to break the speed limits then I think the government must offer this in return...

1) A strict clampdown on middle and outside lane hoggers on the motorway. Same penalty as breaking the speed limit for obstructing any of these lanes for no valid reason

2) Same applies for people driving grossly below the speed limit for no good reason. If you cant make reasonable progress in a resonable car in dry clear conditions then you need a retest!

3) Fine for foglights and not using indicators. Very simple things but i think everyone will agree it pisses everyone off.

So there we have it. If we are going to clampdown on speeding then they should clamp down on the other little irritating driving habits that cause road rage!

Anyone agree?

[DennisTheMenace]

I agree , But we both know this will never happen

[boxster]

I think 1) may be a little subjective.

I strongly disagree with 2) because just as many speed limits are too low for the prevailing conditions, so others are too high. I certainly couldn't travel at 20mph in many traffic humped areas without taking the front off my car, for example, and I often notice turnings off 50mph dual carriageways into NSL roads which are barely more than gravel tracks and certainly would be dangerous at 60.

Agree with 3, but think the penalty is a bit harsh.

[soulpatch]

boxster said:
I strongly disagree with 2) because just as many speed limits are too low for the prevailing conditions, so others are too high. I certainly couldn't travel at 20mph in many traffic humped areas without taking the front off my car, for example, and I often notice turnings off 50mph dual carriageways into NSL roads which are barely more than gravel tracks and certainly would be dangerous at 60.

.

Thats why the no good reason bit is there.

If the road is unsuitiable for travel at speed or the vehicle cannot handle the road due to humps then that is good reason.

I suppose this sort of thing isnt prosecutable because of the "good reason" thing. There is no laser trap or gatso to detect a numpty. It would have to be clear cut (like speeding cases - you either are or your arnt) in order to get a prosecution, hence the numpties will prevail every time

[james_j]

A couple of points:

1. Many speed limits are way too low anyway. I think that if any objection were to be pursued it should be with blanket 40 limits where previous NSL was fine. (Agree with your anger at middle and outside lane hoggers though - are they ignorant or pig-headed I wonder.)

2. The police have pulled people for driving too slowly, though I don't know whether any form of punishment was given. (Extremely rare though, despite creation of congestion, frustration and roadrage.)

[Size Nine Elm]

james_j said:2. The police have pulled people for driving too slowly, though I don't know whether any form of punishment was given. (Extremely rare though, despite creation of congestion, frustration and roadrage.)

I'm aware of two which hit the papers; one was a caravanner on the A30 in Devon/Cornwall who was doing 18mph and had a tailback of two miles of traffic; another was similar, but on single track roads in the north of Scotland - both were done for driving without due consideration to other road users.