55 in a 30 limit!

[sted]

Driving at high speed on public roads is simply not safe, regardless of your individual car or driving skills.

 

Roads are not single user places, there are many users on them - even at night. So, even though you may think you're driving safely, what happens if a car in front of you does something stupid? You've not got the time to react at such high speeds, even with all the safety devices on modern cars.

 

Or how about when you're driving along a road at 110+ and you don't see that the road ahead is strewn with glass or similar, it damages your tires - that can be enough to cause a fatal accident.

 

Also, saying you make the decision and not 'a snooty government official' - that is the height of selfishness. You live in a society that has rules there. If you disagree with having a government, may I suggest a change of surroundings? I hear Somalia is nice this time of year...

 

dosent need another person just debris at 70 you might avoid it (or less dangerous if you dont) 100+ much less chance (yes the highway code braking distances are based on a ford anglia and a modern can could stop much quicker but it will still stop quicker from 70 than 100

 

I think the biggest problem this country has is that most drivers aren't sensible enough to make those judgement calls, or feel they're adequately qualified enough to make a decision themselves. You only have to see how many people jump red lights or block box junctions to see that driving standards are at an all time low. I remember a time when if someone made a mistake on the road, they'd generally put their hand up and gesture an apology. Now if you dare to rebuke someone with your horn or lights you get nothing but abuse, road rage or even being followed.

 

But until this country has zero avoidable accidents on the motorway (I saw an amazing one a few weeks ago where a woman just pulled out into the middle lane and knocked a biker off. It closed the motorway for 4 hours and gridlocked all the surrounding roads, and daily see people driving too close and too fast) and no-one being caught by speed cameras then there is no way this government will reward any good driving.

 

again sometimes red lights are pointless at 3am without a car on the road it does seem daft they dont turn off junction lights and let traffic sort it self out as it is annoying to have to stop for no reason (not condoning jumping red lights but i can see in certain situations why you would)

[SmellyLlama]

again sometimes red lights are pointless at 3am without a car on the road it does seem daft they dont turn off junction lights and let traffic sort it self out as it is annoying to have to stop for no reason (not condoning jumping red lights but i can see in certain situations why you would)

 

Havent they done something with turning the trafic lights off somewhere in the UK.. yes they have, googled it. Seems like they have trialed it in a few places and found that more people take more care and trafic moves better, hehe, turn em all off!!

 

BBC News - Traffic lights to be switched off in Bristol trial

[creese]

Havent they done something with turning the trafic lights off somewhere in the UK.. yes they have, googled it. Seems like they have trialed it in a few places and found that more people take more care and trafic moves better, hehe, turn em all off!!

 

Only 40 years late. They were doing this when I was in Germany in the 70s. One way was on amber continually which meant you gave way.

[SmellyLlama]

Only 40 years late. They were doing this when I was in Germany in the 70s. One way was on amber continually which meant you gave way.

 

Sounds good to me.

[creese]

Sounds good to me.

 

Makes complete sense. No sitting at lights waiting at 1 in the morning for filters and phases with no one else in sight.

[CESIL]

Isn't it the other way round? ie the speedo must not be under what you're actually doing?

eg. you're actually travelling at 30mph but the speedo will usually say 33-35.

if they're reading under the speed then you're going quicker than you think?

 

I think the speed camera triggering point varies from county to county but generally i think it is +10% ish.

 

Oops my bad...you are quite right...I did mean to say that speedos are not allowed to read under the actual speed...and that manufacturers set them to read over the actual speed...

 

10%+2 over the limit is the trigger point for a ticket in Hampshire.

[CESIL]

Not everywhere, the police in Cleveland do you for 1mph over

 

Not according the Cleveland Police website they don't...and although lots of people claim that they know someone who was done for doing 1mph over the limit I have yet to see any actual evidence that that happens...nobody has speed detection equipment that accurate in general use AFAIK

 

http://www.cleveland.police.uk/advice-information/2914.aspx

[K.C.Leblanc]

Not according the Cleveland Police website they don't...and although lots of people claim that they know someone who was done for doing 1mph over the limit I have yet to see any actual evidence that that happens...nobody has speed detection equipment that accurate in general use AFAIK

 

Safety Cameras and Speed Enforcement

 

There might be other considerations, I know someone who got a ticket for 61 in a 60 zone. What he didn't realise is the van he was driving was subject to a lower speed limit.

[CESIL]

There might be other considerations, I know someone who got a ticket for 61 in a 60 zone. What he didn't realise is the van he was driving was subject to a lower speed limit.

Presumably though he was done for being more than 1mph over whatever the maximum was for his vehicle?

 

I have to remember when I tow my trailer that the speed limits I am subject to are lower...

[Diello]

10% + 2 has been the recommendation from ACPO for years - http://www.cprsp.gov.uk/resources/res.aspx?p=/PublicAttachment/attachmentFilename/23/speed_enforcement_guidelines_web_v7_foi.doc - Page 6 for figures.

 

Without getting to drawn into the discussion (although its been an interesting read). To be fair, it is quite simple. If you never want to risk getting caught, never break the posted limit, regardless of if it makes sense. However, it's worth remembering that the law, and common sense, are not always the same thing (it could be said they rarely are). If one wishes to make a choice to perhaps pick common sense over the law, they need to be ready to except that regardless of common sense, the law may still hit you. 90 on a congested motorway at rushhour... a potential danger to everyone... 90 on a empty, well lit, motorway at 3am... only really a danger to yourself. Common sense says one is safer than the other, the law doesn't care. The law is full of issues like that though, it's the problem of having to put in place a one-size-fits-all solution to law and order.

 

It's about driving to the situation - I drive a very different way on busy roads with the family in the car, then I do when I'm by myself on an empty road. Perhaps we just all need to think a little more.

[Jose]

i've never had a 14 year old escort driven by a woman with bad eyesight sitting on my bumper when i'm doing the speed limit flashing their lights and gesturing for me to shift because they want to get up to 100+mph.

i have, however, had (what the person would probably believe) an experienced driver, driving in a german quality car with the best technical specs do that, and that is a danger.

 

its all relative. your car might be built fantastically, but i'm pretty sure it would still dent and crumple the say way another car would if it slams into a wall at 100mph. and confidence can be misplaced. you may be the most confident and experienced driver in the world, but judging by your posts i would guess also slightly arrogant (woman driver in a banger, your german quality car, how to escape punishment, etc)

 

Your right but thats down to the personality if the individual drivers, just because they do it does not mean my style or my parents style is dangerous. M1 , 2am crystal clear view, quality german car with run flat tyres and powerfull brakes, safer than doing 70mph 30 years ago in a austin mini.

[Jose]

Driving at high speed on public roads is simply not safe, regardless of your individual car or driving skills.

 

Roads are not single user places, there are many users on them - even at night. So, even though you may think you're driving safely, what happens if a car in front of you does something stupid? You've not got the time to react at such high speeds, even with all the safety devices on modern cars.

 

Or how about when you're driving along a road at 110+ and you don't see that the road ahead is strewn with glass or similar, it damages your tires - that can be enough to cause a fatal accident.

 

Also, saying you make the decision and not 'a snooty government official' - that is the height of selfishness. You live in a society that has rules there. If you disagree with having a government, may I suggest a change of surroundings? I hear Somalia is nice this time of year...

 

run flat tyres, technology moves on as we all should know working in IT..

[Jose]

@Jose : That snooty Govt official will range from the politician who is making a point, the civil service who prepare the papers, the technical research agencies who spend a serious amount of time looking at the damage a vehicle can do, the probability of the accident occurring, taking quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources including the Police, DVLA, NHS and hospital trusts, independent organisations, community groups, etc ... and then the guidance and laws is constructive out of this. The laws set the rules and the guidance is about when choosing the speed limits is most appropriate. Decisions on speed limits are not taken likely and it is deemed to be based on the ideal of "Better to go to slow that risk people going too fast, but we need to let people get from A to B". Under H&S risk assessments you are meant to go for the lowest risk possible and consider any foreseeable risk. This includes managing the risk that people will ignore the limit completely if set too low and to try to be reasonable.

 

Does the system get misused at times? Yes ... the same as any bureaucratic process there is that chance, but from talking to a number of the people involved in the above it is rarer than people make out.

 

It doesn't matter how good a driver anyone says they are there is always the chance that something can go wrong and speed increases that risk. Whilst you (and many others, including a number of members on this site) are happy to take this risk the law says it is not happy for you to have that choice. If you want to change the law then campaign and even get yourself into a position to help make the change.

 

The traffic police turn a blind eye, the reason is they know that speed is not the key issue on the M1,M6 etc, but if you start changing lanes, tailgating etc they will soon pull you over. You see just because a politician makes a law does not mean that the foot soldiers are going to enforce it.

[Jose]

I think the biggest problem this country has is that most drivers aren't sensible enough to make those judgement calls, or feel they're adequately qualified enough to make a decision themselves. You only have to see how many people jump red lights or block box junctions to see that driving standards are at an all time low. I remember a time when if someone made a mistake on the road, they'd generally put their hand up and gesture an apology. Now if you dare to rebuke someone with your horn or lights you get nothing but abuse, road rage or even being followed.

 

But until this country has zero avoidable accidents on the motorway (I saw an amazing one a few weeks ago where a woman just pulled out into the middle lane and knocked a biker off. It closed the motorway for 4 hours and gridlocked all the surrounding roads, and daily see people driving too close and too fast) and no-one being caught by speed cameras then there is no way this government will reward any good driving.

 

Exactly a idiot caused the problem, the speed was not a issue, also to reduce accidents on motorways we should have yellow glowing lines down the middle of the lanes so you can see how they shape from further back, also if the was some debris in the lane you would notice earlier, I did post this last night but Witch removed it, or we have a law that every road with a 60 or 70 limit must have lights in the middle. Never happen though costs money

[elsiegee40]

Exactly a idiot caused the problem, the speed was not a issue, also to reduce accidents on motorways we should have yellow glowing lines down the middle of the lanes so you can see how they shape from further back, also if the was some debris in the lane you would notice earlier, I did post this last night but Witch removed it, or we have a law that every road with a 60 or 70 limit must have lights in the middle. Never happen though costs money

Your post last night also suggested that OP took the blame for their child's speeding... which is against the law and discussing illegal activities is banned on edugeek. That is why a moderator removed your post.

 

I had a terrifying experience on the motorway where I moved into Lane 3 at 75 only to see a large milk crate in front of me... fortunately I was able to take avoiding action without hitting any other traffic. I doubt I could have done that at 110 no matter what car I was driving.

Edited September 9, 2011 by elsiegee40
improving my grammar

[Guest Guest]

Not according the Cleveland Police website they don't...and although lots of people claim that they know someone who was done for doing 1mph over the limit I have yet to see any actual evidence that that happens...nobody has speed detection equipment that accurate in general use AFAIK

 

Safety Cameras and Speed Enforcement

 

I don't care what a website says, a person I trust entirely to be telling the truth got one for doing less than 35 in a 30 (which that website says). I most certainly trust him more than I trust a website made by our police, especially when the top 2 or 3 rungs of the ladder are up for corruption and fraud...

 

It always makes me laugh when you say something on the internet and then you get "yeah alright prove it". Next time I see him I'll get a borrow of his ticket, scan it and post it on here so that you can verify it

Edited September 9, 2011 by Guest

[Jose]

Your post last night also suggested that OP took the blame for their child's speeding... which is against the law and discussing illegal activities is banned on edugeek. That is why a moderator removed your post.

 

Having had a terrifying experience on the motorway where I moved into Lane 3 at 75 only to see a large milk crate in front of me... fortunately I was able to take avoiding action without hitting any other traffic. I doubt I could have done that at 110 no matter what car I'm driving.

 

As a good driver I always check to see if the lane is clear both in front and behind before moving into it. Don't worry about it though I'm guessing you have only just past, when I was 18 years old I had a similiar experience with a shredded tyre left in the outside lane, but it made me a much better driver.

[elsiegee40]

As a good driver I always check to see if the lane is clear both in front and behind before moving into it. Don't worry about it though I'm guessing you have only just past, when I was 18 years old I had a similiar experience with a shredded tyre left in the outside lane, but it made me a much better driver.

* Chokes *

 

Blimey! You make assumptions don't you?

 

I am female. I've had my clean license for 22 years. I am far from inexperienced. The milk crate fell off a truck which I should perhaps have put in my original post. Anything else you want to jump to conclusions about?

 

I work in a primary school, part-time, if that helps you to jump in with both feet!

 

I'm flattered you think I'm the same age as my daughter (which if you'd read my earlier posts properly you would have known)

[Jose]

what has your gender got to do with it

unless your trying to say that your a better driver due to gender. Once over 25 the differences between genders in driving patterns is next to nothing.

BUT did you learn from your mistake like I did when i was 18 and turn yourself into a better driver, thats the question I want to know. When I drive on the motorways now I only change lanes after making sure everything is ok several times. No amount of lessons can prepare you for long distance driving, high speeds for long periods of time with boredom also coming into play. Thats why I never use my cruise control option as it takes your mind of the job.

[elsiegee40]

My gender has nothing to do with it. You're the one who's been talking about women drivers. I just thought I give you all the information about me to save you making incorrect assumptions...

 

 

.... You are amusing me

 

@witch will be scolding me soon... it's been a long week.

Edited September 9, 2011 by elsiegee40

[plexer]

run flat tyres, technology moves on as we all should know working in IT..

 

Nothing new about run flat tyres.

 

Ben

[Martin]

I had a terrifying experience on the motorway where I moved into Lane 3 at 75...

 

So you admit to breaking the law - shame on you, the law is the law, fluffy bunnies will die the very second you exceed the carefully calculated limit as written in 10mph increments on lollies at the side of the road ;)

 

mb

[john]

That would just incite more road rage and encourage people to overtake. Whilst it isn't very pleasant doing 50 through the M25 widening and having HGV's on your rear bonnet, you just have to ignore them and let the averaging camera deal with it when they overtake.

That was sooooooooooooooo annoying when I was on it during the summer, 50mph limit, set cruise control to 48 to ensure im nicely under in case of a slope downhill etc and wagons tooting and flashing lights, also I've noticed a lot of people on these roadworks the signs say STAY IN LANE or KEEP IN LANE, last time I checked my understanding of english and road signs that imply once you've passed the point that the stay in lane starts you stick in that lane thus if you happen to be in Lane 2 you stick in it till your told otherwise by signage etc, seemingly that is also not understood....

[elsiegee40]

So you admit to breaking the law - shame on you, the law is the law, fluffy bunnies will die the very second you exceed the carefully calculated limit as written in 10mph increments on lollies at the side of the road ;)

 

mb

Can't do it any more in my car. Got a spy in the cab (a smartbox) checking up on me. Still, it makes the insurance cheaper now my daughter can drive! If I want to burn rubber, I'll have to take Mr gee40's Volvo out! Opportunities are slim on the M25 though... getting beyond 3rd gear can be a challenge

[EduTech]

[quiet] very surprised @EduTech has managed to not be brought up in this kind of thread.. [/quiet]