people driving sooooo slow cos they dont know the speed limit!

fivetide

Idiophreak wrote: »

What? Being hit side on by a driver at 90mph? I guess there would be a small difference as to how many times your car rolled after you'd been killed instantly...But I don't suppose it would make much of a difference to you in the grand scheme of things...

You hitting them. come on, you are the one advocating speeding, do try to keep up.

I drive a section of road every day. There's a 50mph speed limit to save the residents from the noise of passing lorries. There's a concrete wall between the road and the houses, which are on a different level anyway. So how does this relate to safety exactly?

Houses = people. People = unpredicatble. If you need a limit to give residents peace then that's a built up area is it not so you can say there is a higher potential for someone to walk onto the road or be crossing that section of road than say, in the middle of absolutely no-where.

It isn't difficult to work out.

You're getting very confused. I'm not a big guy, I'm not being macho about this. It's perfectly safe to drive a little over the speed limit in some places, so I do it. That's all.

FWIW, I *did* have a polite conversation with the instructor at the speed awareness course I attended on the subject. Apparently I'm a "big guy" in real life too.

I bet you told him how the limits shouldn't apply to you because they are lowering your quality of life. If you want to speed you will do because you always know best. His job was a waste of time and resources and the whole thing was nothing more than a stealth tax and shouldn't they focus on real crimes.... except you didn't did you?

Debating whether a limit is right or not is fine. Simply choosing it shouldn't apply to save you one minute isn't. What is your problem with understanding that?

For the last time, I'm not sayign I don't speed. If you read the responses properly I've advocated higher limits and agreed with lum on several points (but also highlighted a few errors). All I am saying is you shouldn't speed in a 30 limit. End of.

You think differently, that's fine but stop bringing up all manner of incorrect flannel to try and justify yourself. You break the law. You are happy to take the risk. If you've been on a speed awareness course then you haven't learnt so that's pure stupidity. I simply hope you don't kill anyone with your "i have a decent car and fast reactions" mentality.

I take it you realised the conversation was about speeding generally and not just your example? You may of course thank me later.

5t.

Gers

I understand this completely - near me is a two lane road (dual carriageway I presume so please don't thrash me if that's wrong) up the hill and two lanes down the hill with no barrier inbetween It's a 40mph zone. Drivers zoom up to the speed camera (one on both sides) at 40, slow down to 30 to go past the camera and then speed up again after it.

Drives me potty.....irrational I know but it just shows that they can't possible know what the speed limit actually is! I live with it and only wave my arms in the air inconsequentially each time - makes me feel better!

Flyboy152

vax2002 wrote: »

That could be because it does not always mean that the national speed limit is 70 mph on dual carriageways, if there is no central reservation with a solid kerb but still 2 lanes its 60, if you are in a commercial van its 60 on all dual carriageways and for a hgv its 50 .
The same speed limits for cars do not apply to all vehicles.
So I would say its higher than 60%
I would also say the best way to determine a good driver is to both obtain an insurance quote, the experts in risk will soon put the argument to rest.

The mind boggles where people get their information from. Where in the highway code is that little rule? If it doesn't have a central reservation, it isn't a dual carriageway (at least that what what my driving instructor told me).

Flyboy152

Idiophreak wrote: »

The law is supposed to protect us, not enslave us.

Speed limits are set based on so many criteria that aren't directly safety related - noise levels, frequency of signing, land development plans...

You say "what's the point in breaking the speed limit". The short answer is I see no reason not to...I just don't believe in the concept of speeding as a crime. "Dangerous driving" is sufficient.

I refuse to have the quality of my life eroded by "the law is the law is the law". If the law isn't serving us, it's wrong. Complying with unreasonable lawmaking is the first step on a very slippery slope.

Well let's hope you tot up enough points as soon as possible and lose your licence for as long as possible, then we will all be safer.

Flyboy152

davidlizard wrote: »

I think a lot of people drive slow because they do not have confidence in their driving abilities or their car. All too often I see a little old pensioner driving along with their nose pressed against the window looking absolutely terrified. They dare not look left or right, or heaven forbid in the rear view mirror.

If someone drove at 40 in a 60 on their test for no apparent reason, they would fail.

How about as part of the driving test, making everyone drive one lap of a racing circuit in a decent spec car - and anyone who does not go round in less than a nominated time fails. That would sort out the confident drivers from the timid ones who are usually seen at the head of a queue of 20 vehicles bimbling along clutching the steering wheel for grim death!!!

What utter tosh.

Carpi10

People driving in 2nd and 3rd lane of motorway when the 1st lane is clear is what annoys me. :mad:

These are the idiots that cause congestion, not the speed freaks. Although harsh braking (bad drivers) also cause this.

(I don't speed) :A

Edit:

Driving at 40 in a 60 would fail as long as it is done on more than one occasion, clearly shows lack of knowledge to road signs.

martinthebandit

See reason number 7 out of the top 10 reasons for failing a driving test.

1. Acting improperly at road junctions. A common reason for a test fail with junctions is going over the give way or stop lines. Coming to a stop over the line is of course dangerous. Approaching junctions too fast and lack of observation results in the number 1 test fail. On approaching a junction, use your mirrors, slow down to an appropriate speed so that it gives you plenty of time to observe the road, other vehicles and pedestrians and carry out the MSM routine in good time

2. Manoeuvre - Reversing around a corner incorrectly. Control, accuracy and observations are the key things to this manoeuvre. Hitting the curb, swinging wide and lack of observation is a common test fail for this. During the manoeuvre, use an appropriate speed. Keep it slow, giving yourself enough time to judge your distances correctly, use your mirrors and correct observation. Give way to all other road users as necessary. Don't forget to check over your right shoulder before turning!

3. Failure to make proper use of steering. Remember to feed the steering wheel through your hands. Don’t cross your hands on the wheel, don't let the wheel spin back after a turn or drive with any hands off the wheel for any longer than they have to be. Use the steering freely and smoothly,

4. Manoeuvre - problems with parking. Reverse parking is arguably one of the trickiest manoeuvres. The purpose is to show the Examiner that you have good control of the car using clutch control, accuracy and observation. Keep the vehicle slow, giving yourself plenty of time to manoeuvre the vehicle accurately and to observe other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and stop if they approach. Don't forget to look over your right shoulder before each turn to check for any other approaching road users.

5. Failure to make proper use of gears. Make sure you are in the correct gear before pulling away. When slowing down or coming to a stop, use the brakes to slow down and not the gears. As a general rule, move into 2nd gear as soon as you move from stationary, 3rd gear at 20mph, 4th gear at 30mph, and 5th gear at 40mph.

6. Failure to make effective use of mirrors. Under - use of mirrors is a common mistake, especially when changing lane. Remember, any speed change - check your mirrors. Any direction change - check your mirrors. Also when moving off. Use the Golden Rule MSM at all times.

7. Driving too slowly. Driving too slowly is seen as a sign of the driver lacking confidence. Use of appropriate speed is very important. If the road you are on, is clear and safe, then drive at the speed limit and not unnecessarily slow. Driving too slow can be frustrating for other road users causing them to to make unsafe actions such as overtaking, which can be very dangerous. Keep a good look out for any signs telling you of a change in speed limits and act accordingly.

8. Acting incorrectly when turning right. When turning right, use the interior then right exterior mirrors and indicate. Judging the correct time to turn can be difficult. Try to imagine yourself as a pedestrian crossing both lanes across the road. When you think it would be safe to cross as a pedestrian would be a good estimate to when it would be a good time for you to pull away. Make sure you don't cause any oncoming vehicle to slow down or change direction due to your actions. Also make sure that vehicle is positioned just left of centre and follow all road markings, allowing the following traffic to undertake you if the road is wide enough.

9. Hesitating unnecessarily at junctions. Try not to take too much caution when pulling out from a junction. Again, imagine yourself as a pedestrian as in the above. Avoid approaching junctions too fast and try to observe as early as the junction opens so you have a good idea if you can emerge safely without stopping, DON'T TAKE RISKS> If you have not clearly checked both sides on approach be prepared to stop and check again as needed.

10. Failure to move away correctly from stationary positions When you move off, make sure you take the correct precautions. Mirrors, blind spot and signal if necessary. Also after all the manoeuvres especially the emergency stop take the same procedure as moving off for the first time.

Mids_Costcutter

abbecer wrote: »

Oooooh I love this thread!! Chance to vent!! I am probably one of the most tolerant drivers you will ever meet, I don't mind being stuck behind a learner driver, tractor or whatever. I expect people to slow down if it's bad driving conditions and have never ever tried to intimidate someone into speeding up. But what really gets my goat is when someone drives much slower than the road or weather conditions permit. I have a bypass near me which is about 2 mile long straight open road. It's 60mph and very clearly signed to indicate this. So why do some people still insist on driving 30/40 down it!!! If you are not comfortable driving at these speeds when safe to do so get off the sodding road!! Don't get me started on Sunday drivers!!

Going on your avatar, aren't you a little young to be driving?

Seriously, are there any other visual signs that may result in the much slower speeds you see on this bypass? Or is it just the odd driver? Good to read of a tolerant attitude by the way.

mcc100

Deleted_User wrote: »

People that do 40 in a 60 limit then carry on at 40 through the 30 zone.

Totally agree .... there is nothing more annoying than overtaking one of these in a 60 limit and then before you know it they are tailgating you because you have slowed down to 30 in a 30 zone.

Trebor16

Flyboy152 wrote: »

What utter tosh.

It's true. Check your facts.