And the speed-limit shoud be?

[Mr T.]

If memory serves, both the AA and the RAC would prefer if the speed limit were raised to at least 80mph.

But along with our archaic and palpably 'unuser-friendly' licensing laws, in England & Wales (the current ones being based on the working patterns of munitions workers of the first World War!), thousands of people getting killed on the road every year is not a priority for this government.

You never know, though: if we all wait a while, there'll be no speed-cops policing the Queen's Highways anyway - they'll all be on fox hunting duty, arresting the Tarquin St John Biffters of this world, we'll all be allowed to treat the highways like the Germans do their Autobahns!

So in a round about way - banning fox hunting is the friend of the motorist!

[Diving Daisy]

How about increasing the speed limits, in suitable areas. And then policing them more consistantly, at least that way, if you are 'speeding' and you get caught there is no argument.

The rule of thumb used to be;
The speed limit ie 30mph
+ 10 % = 3mph
+ 2 mph
= 35

I know this was never a 'law' but served as a good guideline. Today people are 'done' for speeding at 31 mph in some areas and get away with 35mph+ in others.

If you know absolutly that the speed limit is 50 mph, and you go above that, then you cannot argue with a speeding fine, the grey area causes the problem.

Interestingly enough (or perhpas not ) is that a car 'speedo' is never tested during an MOT, if a problem were to develop with one (as in the past with a car of ours) you have no way of knowing - apart from thinking 'isn't everyone going slowly/quickly today!'

The above 10% + 2 mph, was designed to allow for some error in speedometers, which the current settings in some areas, do not.

Ian

Ps I currently have no points on my licence, but did have some time ago, due to an error with a speedo!

[Scubanut]

Me thinks that 70 is about right, altho I also agree that this could be raised at certain hours of the day(night).
I say this having seen the horrors of people mangled in accidents caused by speeding.
Gr8 info by Porg, gud one.

Also if the speed was raised then you would only want to go faster, but what's the point?
The M25 has traffic flow restrictions in certain places, with cameras catching those flouting the law.

Oh when driving on the motorway I do use the inner lanes, I sometimes creep over the limit, but not by much and always lift the right foot to bring my speed down.

There ain't no point in rushing, you're a long time dead.



Scubanut

[wax]

I recon bike riders ought to be un restricted and cars 100 mph.
Then again there are loads of drivers on the road who manage to make 70mph dangerous by cutting in on your braking distance?
tossers

[Ian@1904]

I regularlary drive at 80 mph, but try to keep a sensible distance from the car in front.

I think the skills of the average UK driver a poor. Many years ago I was trained to drive, by the local police driving instructor, it was a real eye opener. I had to identify the "threat" as I drove along, random tests as to what was behind me, and woe was I if my hand stayed on the gear stick too long-bruising did occur....Even today I occasionaly practise what I was trained to do back then.

Middle lane hoggers, aggressive tactics, lack of mirror use, poor indicator use are more to blame as speed.

My car has ABS brakes and traction control. So why not increase the speed to 90mph and have done.





I have never been in an accident, seen dozens in my rear view mirror though......................

[wax]

Yep spot on.

Originally Posted by IanHicks

I regularlary drive at 80 mph, but try to keep a sensible distance from the car in front.

I think the skills of the average UK driver a poor. Many years ago I was trained to drive, by the local police driving instructor, it was a real eye opener. I had to identify the "threat" as I drove along, random tests as to what was behind me, and woe was I if my hand stayed on the gear stick too long-bruising did occur....Even today I occasionaly practise what I was trained to do back then.

Middle lane hoggers, aggressive tactics, lack of mirror use, poor indicator use are more to blame as speed.

My car has ABS brakes and traction control. So why not increase the speed to 90mph and have done.





I have never been in an accident, seen dozens in my rear view mirror though......................

[Bantam]

As much as us Brits like to malign our french cousins, their Autoroutes are marvellous. So much so I don't mind paying a couple of quid to use them.
They have a Variable Speed Limit (120Km/h Dry, 90Km/h Wet), usually totally quiet, people move over (and you quickly learn to be a good driver with good lane discipline on 2 lane Autoroutes.) and generally stay in the right hand lane. THe other thing is that because the motorway's being paid for, they keep them in very good nick. We just can't seem to lay tarmac half as well as they can. It's immaculate!

I've noticed that the problem here in the UK is that people don't want to let you past because of arrogance. BMW's always get upset when a Peugeot Estate tries to overtake them on the motorway. The lane discipline is horrendous. I'm sure if the police started making bad drivers go for a second test we would have loads of people starting to buck up their ideas.

French Example - In May, did from Cherbourg to a place not far north of Biarritz which was a total of 600 miles down the west coast. The seacat landed at 11:15am. We were parked up collecting keys at 6:30pm at our destination, and we'd stopped once for Lunch.
Once you're on the Peage, the French fuzz don't mind you tanking it if it's clear, sunny and quiet (We'd slow down but they usually came past doing 120mph).

[Bantam]

Originally Posted by IanHicks

poor indicator use

My pet hate at the moment (apart from Lane Hoggers) is people who start to cut you up, then indicate to tell you they are going to cut you up, then cut you up!

[Janos]

I love French motorways.

I have access to cheap accomodation 90 mins from Calais (bit not for much longer ) and so every few months we go across to stock up on wine, but take a few days about it, and go to a few restaurants while we're there. Always have an absolutely brilliant time.

The French are much better (or certainly more polite) drivers then the English, certainly SE England. I think the standard of driving improves as you go North.

Anyway. Back to the point. Be careful on French motorways. I think they're starting to time you between toll booths, and then it will be automatic fine and points on your licence (yes they transfer).

Well, that's the rumour I heard but I'm happy to be corrected (hope it wasn't my girlfriend trying to make me slow doen again).

Laters,
Janos

[Narked@50]

80 is good for motorways, I agree with previous replies that bettew quality of driving would be the way to go rather than slower speeds. It has been proven titme and time again that speed is seldem the actual cause of the accident, although it normaly makes it worse.

I was driving in the US recently and thought the idea of dropping the speed limit to around 20mph outside schools at key times was an excellent idea, they had flashing lights to highlight these times and areas. (probably caused a dozen drivers to go into epileptic shock, but what the hell!)

James