Speed Limits, Road Safety, Technological Change, Economic Growth

Prolaser2

At the moment the prosecution for speeding starts at 10 percent plus 2 above the limit.
So at the 70MPH limit you are allowed 7mph plus 2mph = 79MPH. You get done above that.
So at 80MPH you will be allowed 8mph plus 2mph = 90MPH. You get done above that.
So we will in effect have a 90MPH:A limit.
Stopping distance at 90MPH = 395 feet in the dry....
The problem is not just the speed and stopping distance it is the way people drive especially their lack of observation. We all know what its like to drive in lane 3 when the fella in the middle lane cuts into our path and nearly kills us. Its going to result in more collisions. The faster the collision the greater the risk of injury and death.
I think its a coalition gimmick to deflect us away from the real issues.
I hope they do not change the speed limit without first trying to improve everyones driving skills.

grimsalve

Prolaser2 wrote: »

I think its a coalition gimmick to deflect us away from the real issues.

+1

IMO just an opportunity to get some soundbytes on the national news without actually committing to doing anything.

Batchy

In france they have an over 80mph limit (130kph) however when it rains you are limited to 110mph i believe.

This is totally sensible, having a broad 80mph limit means in the summer great... however, when there is snow / rain not a good idea...

So, bring it in, with restrictions... simples.

grimsalve

chewmylegoff wrote: »

in my view, the easiest way to improve both road safety and congestion would be to crush all uninsured vehicles.

It would probably cost too much to do this

I think there was a clampdown experiment around Leeds (or possibly Bradford?) a few years back where the police set up roadblocks on major roads looking for uninsured/untaxed cars - they ended up finding so many that the police were in danger of going over budget.

Really2

TBH 80MPH does make sense for modern engines.

I drive a diesel and I can't say I would drive any quicker if the limit was 80mph.

A diesel doing 80MPH would be around 2000-2500 rpm (for a 2L)

When 70MPH was introduced, what would have been the engine RPM and stopping distances of average cars.

I would guess your average car now can stop quicker from 80MPH than a car 20-30 years ago could from 70mph.

Going4TheDream

Batchy wrote: »

In france they have an over 80mph limit (130kph) however when it rains you are limited to 110mph i believe.

This is totally sensible, having a broad 80mph limit means in the summer great... however, when there is snow / rain not a good idea...

So, bring it in, with restrictions... simples.

And the thing about it is. THEY ABIDE BY IT... not so sure we would over here? Fines for speeding in France are very expensive, in the region of 3000 Euros and possible loss of licence, but the strange thing is there are hardly any speed cameras. We travel down to our house a couple of times a year and it is a true pleasure to drive there. Drivers in the main are courteous, they do not hog the outside/overtaking lane and use it for just that. The police are very good a sorting out incidents very quickly and jams, directing traffic. There is a toll for the main highways but even the non toll roads move along without many issues

chris_m

IronWolf wrote: »

Not really. Trucking is still one of the most expensive ways to haul goods. Rail whips its a$$ on cost and speed.

Indeed - I'd love to see more freight shifted to rail, but there are a few snags unfortunately.
Firstly, the railways don't go to all the places to which goods needs to be sent - they used to, but when the network was cut back in the 60/70s and freight started shifting to roads many of the source and/or destination sites that have been developed since then have been sited for road links, not rail. also, goods tend to travel further nowadays than when the railways' principle traffic was indeed freight.
Secondly, I doubt the rail network could actually handle a significant increase in freight - in many areas it's pretty well at maximum capacity already with what freight there is plus the passenger traffic, which has increased significantly over the last couple of decades.

The only real solution would be to build more lines - which pi$$es off the NIMBYs - thinks, should I use a , a :mad: or a ?

wotsthat

Prolaser2 wrote: »

I think its a coalition gimmick to deflect us away from the real issues.

That's not fair - they are dealing with real issues too - like is it a basic human right for a Briton to have their bin emptied once a week.

RJP33

The maximum speed limit is just a limit, not a target. 80 mph will not be compulsory and most people probably won’t as plenty don’t do 70 now.

And anywaywho want to live in a namby, pamby, H&S nanny state? The 70 limit is 50 years old and 50% of people already ignore it.

Really2

From what I see fuel price is the biggest killer of speed at the moment.

I think on motorways and A roads many have slowed down, this coincides with the increase cost of fuel.

Oddly enough road deaths down this year with less speed cameras. I would say fuel cost and safer cars have been a factor (less and less older cars on the road)