Reviewing speed limits
Discussion
With all the talk of speed cameras and whether they help reduces accidents or are(as we all suspect) mainly a tax raising project,if the Govt REALLY wanted to get drivers 'onside' in their quest for adherence to the speed limits, why not take a progressive step and actually review all speed limits? Most of these limits were set years ago when driving conditions were different and cars were far more basic than they are today.
Some limits could be increased(motorways) whilst others may be reduced. Then rigouressly enforce these new 'correct' limits.
Some limits could be increased(motorways) whilst others may be reduced. Then rigouressly enforce these new 'correct' limits.
DavidUK said:
With all the talk of speed cameras and whether they help reduces accidents or are(as we all suspect) mainly a tax raising project,if the Govt REALLY wanted to get drivers 'onside' in their quest for adherence to the speed limits, why not take a progressive step and actually review all speed limits? Most of these limits were set years ago when driving conditions were different and cars were far more basic than they are today.
Some limits could be increased(motorways) whilst others may be reduced. Then rigouressly enforce these new 'correct' limits.
Local councils have been tasked with reviewing limits (by 2011 I believe). Don't expect large scale raising though.Some limits could be increased(motorways) whilst others may be reduced. Then rigouressly enforce these new 'correct' limits.
DavidUK said:
With all the talk of speed cameras and whether they help reduces accidents or are(as we all suspect) mainly a tax raising project,if the Govt REALLY wanted to get drivers 'onside' in their quest for adherence to the speed limits, why not take a progressive step and actually review all speed limits? Most of these limits were set years ago when driving conditions were different and cars were far more basic than they are today.
Some limits could be increased(motorways) whilst others may be reduced. Then rigouressly enforce these new 'correct' limits.
The difficulty is not with speed limits that "were set years ago", but those introduced in more recent years and more for political rather than road safety reasons.Some limits could be increased(motorways) whilst others may be reduced. Then rigouressly enforce these new 'correct' limits.
Rigorous enforcement of any arbitrary and unrealistic speed limits leads to resentment, especially when automated (ie speed cameras)
For your evidence, look through most of the posts on this forum!
rs1952 said:
DavidUK said:
With all the talk of speed cameras and whether they help reduces accidents or are(as we all suspect) mainly a tax raising project,if the Govt REALLY wanted to get drivers 'onside' in their quest for adherence to the speed limits, why not take a progressive step and actually review all speed limits? Most of these limits were set years ago when driving conditions were different and cars were far more basic than they are today.
Some limits could be increased(motorways) whilst others may be reduced. Then rigouressly enforce these new 'correct' limits.
The difficulty is not with speed limits that "were set years ago", but those introduced in more recent years and more for political rather than road safety reasons.Some limits could be increased(motorways) whilst others may be reduced. Then rigouressly enforce these new 'correct' limits.
Rigorous enforcement of any arbitrary and unrealistic speed limits leads to resentment, especially when automated (ie speed cameras)
For your evidence, look through most of the posts on this forum!
Dracoro said:
Does anyone know of any limits that have been RAISED?
Yep.There was even a post about one on PH
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Edited by vonhosen on Tuesday 18th December 21:04
Paul Smith once said on a thread on this forum "If all speed cameras ever did was catch one or two nutters then everybody would support them."
The problem with speed cameras, and with automated enforcement, is that the policy doesn't stop nutters (you need Trafpol to do that - and a lot of 'em) - they catch people doing a few miles an hour over an often arbitrarily low speed limit, speeds that most Trafpol (except perhaps "PC Bored" ) wouldn't bother putting their blue lights on for.
The nutters are still doing what they always did (reference the thread about the dead motorcyclist and North Wales a few weeks ago) and they stand as much chance of getting caught as anybody doing 58 in a 50.
Think of it as a lottery. The parasite partnerships have only got to be lucky once - we have to be lucky all the time.
With respect, your view appears to me to be a little naive, and not very dissimilar to those who argue, for example, that if everybody does 80 on a motorway, then increasing the limit to 80 would mean they would all go at 90.
If. for sake of argument, the speed limit on motorways was increased to 80, and then that limit was rigourously enforced, do you think for a moment that those used to travelling quite safely at 85 or 90 would bring their speed down to the new limit? I don't ...
The problem with speed cameras, and with automated enforcement, is that the policy doesn't stop nutters (you need Trafpol to do that - and a lot of 'em) - they catch people doing a few miles an hour over an often arbitrarily low speed limit, speeds that most Trafpol (except perhaps "PC Bored" ) wouldn't bother putting their blue lights on for.
The nutters are still doing what they always did (reference the thread about the dead motorcyclist and North Wales a few weeks ago) and they stand as much chance of getting caught as anybody doing 58 in a 50.
Think of it as a lottery. The parasite partnerships have only got to be lucky once - we have to be lucky all the time.
With respect, your view appears to me to be a little naive, and not very dissimilar to those who argue, for example, that if everybody does 80 on a motorway, then increasing the limit to 80 would mean they would all go at 90.
If. for sake of argument, the speed limit on motorways was increased to 80, and then that limit was rigourously enforced, do you think for a moment that those used to travelling quite safely at 85 or 90 would bring their speed down to the new limit? I don't ...
Dracoro said:
Does anyone know of any limits that have been RAISED?
I can think of a couple off the top of my head - the Chippenham inner relief road - 40 when it was opened and since raised to 50, and a blo
ody stupid 30 in the middle of the country between Abingdon and Culham - its still 30 for some of its stupid length but some had reverted to BSL the last time I was down there (admittedly a year or so ago)Eddittedd for typees ...
Edited by rs1952 on Tuesday 18th December 21:20
rs1952 said:
Paul Smith once said on a thread on this forum "If all speed cameras ever did was catch one or two nutters then everybody would support them."
The problem with speed cameras, and with automated enforcement, is that the policy doesn't stop nutters (you need Trafpol to do that - and a lot of 'em) - they catch people doing a few miles an hour over an often arbitrarily low speed limit, speeds that most Trafpol (except perhaps "PC Bored" ) wouldn't bother putting their blue lights on for.
The nutters are still doing what they always did (reference the thread about the dead motorcyclist and North Wales a few weeks ago) and they stand as much chance of getting caught as anybody doing 58 in a 50.
Think of it as a lottery. The parasite partnerships have only got to be lucky once - we have to be lucky all the time.
With respect, your view appears to me to be a little naive, and not very dissimilar to those who argue, for example, that if everybody does 80 on a motorway, then increasing the limit to 80 would mean they would all go at 90.
If. for sake of argument, the speed limit on motorways was increased to 80, and then that limit was rigourously enforced, do you think for a moment that those used to travelling quite safely at 85 or 90 would bring their speed down to the new limit? I don't ...
Well I was thinking of 90mph actually!! The problem with speed cameras, and with automated enforcement, is that the policy doesn't stop nutters (you need Trafpol to do that - and a lot of 'em) - they catch people doing a few miles an hour over an often arbitrarily low speed limit, speeds that most Trafpol (except perhaps "PC Bored" ) wouldn't bother putting their blue lights on for.
The nutters are still doing what they always did (reference the thread about the dead motorcyclist and North Wales a few weeks ago) and they stand as much chance of getting caught as anybody doing 58 in a 50.
Think of it as a lottery. The parasite partnerships have only got to be lucky once - we have to be lucky all the time.
With respect, your view appears to me to be a little naive, and not very dissimilar to those who argue, for example, that if everybody does 80 on a motorway, then increasing the limit to 80 would mean they would all go at 90.
If. for sake of argument, the speed limit on motorways was increased to 80, and then that limit was rigourously enforced, do you think for a moment that those used to travelling quite safely at 85 or 90 would bring their speed down to the new limit? I don't ...
Although an even better idea would be for variable speed limits
vonhosen said:
DavidUK said:
With all the talk of speed cameras and whether they help reduces accidents or are(as we all suspect) mainly a tax raising project,if the Govt REALLY wanted to get drivers 'onside' in their quest for adherence to the speed limits, why not take a progressive step and actually review all speed limits? Most of these limits were set years ago when driving conditions were different and cars were far more basic than they are today.
Some limits could be increased(motorways) whilst others may be reduced. Then rigouressly enforce these new 'correct' limits.
Local councils have been tasked with reviewing limits (by 2011 I believe). Don't expect large scale raising though.Some limits could be increased(motorways) whilst others may be reduced. Then rigouressly enforce these new 'correct' limits.
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