Doing 30mph on A road

Brallaqueen

Hi everyone, this is a sequel to my previous thread where you were all really helpful to me
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3413993

I'm afraid I need advice again,

I have my scooter now, and have been tossing and turning about going to work on it tomorrow. The easiest and most direct route is down the 40mph A road, over 1 roundabout, straight on and then left at the main set of lights into a built up area.

However, I am so not ready to go at 40mph down a winding road into a valley and out again (A road). I am happy with 25-30mph and the road is wide enough to overtake me if need be. That part of my journey will take less than 10 minutes

Is it ok if I do this? It was mentioned in my previous thread that any vehicle is allowed on the A road regardless of speed but I'm still worried about causing an accident.

I am investigating alternative routes, but they are a) longer and b) more complex, involving more roundabouts, major traffic light intersections and school traffic.

I have been practicing the route out and about yesterday and today with few problems but 40mph is just not in me at the moment & I'm worrying myself sick.

Please help?

Gloomendoom

How about doing it on a bicycle first to build up your confidence?

Strider590

Brallaqueen wrote: »

Hi everyone, this is a sequel to my previous thread where you were all really helpful to me
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3413993

I'm afraid I need advice again,

I have my scooter now, and have been tossing and turning about going to work on it tomorrow. The easiest and most direct route is down the 40mph A road, over 1 roundabout, straight on and then left at the main set of lights into a built up area.

However, I am so not ready to go at 40mph down a winding road into a valley and out again (A road). I am happy with 25-30mph and the road is wide enough to overtake me if need be. That part of my journey will take less than 10 minutes

Is it ok if I do this? It was mentioned in my previous thread that any vehicle is allowed on the A road regardless of speed but I'm still worried about causing an accident.

I am investigating alternative routes, but they are a) longer and b) more complex, involving more roundabouts, major traffic light intersections and school traffic.

I have been practicing the route out and about yesterday and today with few problems but 40mph is just not in me at the moment & I'm worrying myself sick.

Please help?

You should have no problem, remember if the road is too narrow for someone too overtake safely, then you should take control of the lane (primary central position) to make sure they can't squash you. If you leave them room, they'll try to squeeze through and THAT is where accidents happen.

Brallaqueen

Thanksfor the suggestion Gloomendoom, but I wouldn't go down that road on a push bike for love nor money!

On sat my brother followed me and kept people off my tail which really helped, and today I did it but did not dare to hit 40mph even on a sunday with limited traffic (which all shot past me)

Strider 590 - that's reassuring, thank you. The police won't pull me over if I do this, will they?

Gloomendoom

Brallaqueen wrote: »

Thanksfor the suggestion Gloomendoom, but I wouldn't go down that road on a push bike for love nor money!

On sat my brother followed me and kept people off my tail which really helped, and today I did it but did not dare to hit 40mph even on a sunday with limited traffic (which all shot past me)

Strider 590 - that's reassuring, thank you. The police won't pull me over if I do this, will they?

No, it's what you are supposed to do. Don't be tempted to ride in the gutter when it gets narrow, as Strider said, doing that will just encourage following drivers to try and squeeze past you.

forgotmyname

I wouldnt feel safe doing less than the legal limit on any A road.

You say its wide enough for a car to overtake but what about the impatient
idiot that overtakes when a truck is coming the other way and panics.

Guess whose bit of road space he will occupy. And it wont be the trucks.

If you feel unsafe then get some training. You need to be alert and use defensive techniques
to stay alive on the roads.

Billy-no-Money

Brallaqueen wrote: »

......Is it ok if I do this? It was mentioned in my previous thread that any vehicle is allowed on the A road regardless of speed but I'm still worried about causing an accident.

If there were to be an accident it would be the fault of the overtaker, not you. I know it doesn't help if you're in the back of an ambulance, but understanding that is key to assertiveness on the roads.

+1 for other comments - you need to 'take the lane' to keep yourself safe, you are perfectly entitled to do this. Not only should this discourage many of the close overtakes, but it gives you some wiggle room if somebody insists on barging through.

Keith

Doa cbt course, this type of riding is covered.

Strider590

Also want to say that if manage to stay confident and you drive up at the speed limit, VERY few people will try to overtake. People get into this trap of driving slowly "because of all the nutters", the slower they get, the worse they get treated and the process becomes a vicious circle.

passatrider

Call your local motorcycle training school and take a CBT test. I did coming back to a scooter earlier this year and found it to be invaluable helping with confidence and knowledge.

It will be money well spent trust me!

giraffe69

If you aren't ready to do something approaching the speed limit and insist on driving in the middle of the lane to prevent others from overtaking it probably will maximise your chances of survival but it will also build up frustration in those behind you. Perhaps you should consider alternatives until you can cope with the typical road conditions.