Dangerous variable speed limits on M4 Newport

MostlyPuzzled

dacouch wrote: »

My figure of 20% is actually over generous, the speed camera will normally be set at 56mph + before they take a picture.

Assuming your speedy displays 70mph, your true speed will likely be nearer 66mph. The difference from true speed of 66mph to 56mph is nearer 15%.



I could adjust my speed for the above figures from siting a gantry speed sign without using the brake

Ok, I'm glad we have that extra margin.

Now, going back to the Gaussian curve: how many of the drivers in the lower end know that? How many of the drivers in the fat middle bit know that, for that matter?

I repeat once more, do we just remark "well, they should know" and problem solved?

SHIPSHAPE

MostlyPuzzled wrote: »

As predictable you missed the point completely. Not you particularly. Someone was going to, I mean.

How am I sure the guy behind me did see the sign? People around me, get it? I thought good driving was about adapting to the circumstances around you, not keeping an eye out for when authorities plan to trip you up. For your own good, apparently.

A 50 sign with a camera just behind it on a motorway and your response is boasting your great driving skills. Much appreciated, man.

Well, you can't be sure drivers behind you aren't drunk at the wheel either, it's just the way it is.

I'm not boasting of great driving skills either, I simply put it to you that I am able to drive problem free on any road you care to mention because I was taught to be alert to road signs and respond to what they instruct/warn/advise.

And you didn't answer my question, if I, and others, can do it why is it a problem for you?

Why not take a refresher course or quit driving?

funkycoldribena

SHIPSHAPE wrote: »

Why not take a refresher course or quit driving?

How patronising are you???

SHIPSHAPE

funkycoldribena wrote: »

How patronising are you???

Call it what you like.

The member mostlypuzzled finds it difficult to read road signs whilst driving and to adjust speed when instructed.

Another member quite rightly pointed out that one need not even brake to adhere to the speed variation as described in this thread, merely just lay off the gas.

Now, to me, mostlypuzzled needs some help with their driving ability, pronto, as they find it difficult to do this.

Taking a refresher course or hanging up their keys is good advice, hardly patronising.

MostlyPuzzled

I've used the search option on my web browser. I've typed the word 'difficult' and, before this very post, I was given four occurrences. All in shipshape's posts. I don't recall having used the word either. I thought my little foray into gaussian distributions made it perfectly clear I was talking about danger, not difficulty.

I suppose you've only been left with the driving version of an ad hominem argument.

Oh, and in case you didn't notice, exactly the "well, then you should stop" response I predicted earlier.

Hintza

I think mostpuzzled has point. It is slightly unfair to have a variable speed limit which is attached to a gatso.

Now the most sensible thing to do would be to introduce variable speed cameras which would allow the traffic to slow more naturally and also has the added benefit of smoothing the flow of traffic too.

neilmcl

Hintza wrote: »

I think mostpuzzled has point. It is slightly unfair to have a variable speed limit which is attached to a gatso.

Now the most sensible thing to do would be to introduce variable speed cameras which would allow the traffic to slow more naturally and also has the added benefit of smoothing the flow of traffic too.

But the point that he's constantly missing is that he and all the other driver's around have plenty of notice that they're in a variable speed controlled area and they should drive accordingly. He should also be aware that if the gantry suddenly displays 50 as he's just approaching he actually has a grace period until the camera is active (if there's actually an active camera there in the first place) so there really is no need to slam your brakes, or even brake at all.

It's those with poor observation and knowledge that are the cause of any danger, not the system.

SHIPSHAPE

MostlyPuzzled wrote: »

I've used the search option on my web browser. I've typed the word 'difficult' and, before this very post, I was given four occurrences. All in shipshape's posts. I don't recall having used the word either. I thought my little foray into gaussian distributions made it perfectly clear I was talking about danger, not difficulty.

From your first post-


Saturday morning between 7 and 8 am. You flash a 50 sign on a motorway with fluid traffic and expect me to brake having a bloke just behind me doing 70? What's the standard answer from the guys excusing this scheme on this very forum? There was a 'variable speed limit sign' a mile ago and that should've kept me on my toes? I'm the criminal if I didn't see it?

I'm sorry, but you clearly insinuate some degree of 'difficulty' in finding it a problem being able to adhere to a variable speed limit despite having adequate notice from signs displayed to be able to do so.

Why would you not see the signs (from, in your own words, a mile's notice)?

Why would you not be paying attention to what is around you whilst driving?

Why is it a problem (a difficulty) to reduce from 70mph to 50mph in the space of a mile?

You may not have specifically stated the word 'difficulty' but you have clearly described it.

mildred1978

Biggest problem is that they frequently seem to 'forget' to turn the 40/50/60 mph signs back off after the busy periods (eg 2am on Sunday morning a couple of weeks back, 40mph signs happily blaring away. I think it was about 3 miles before I saw another car!!!!)

MostlyPuzzled

SHIPSHAPE wrote: »

From your first post-


Saturday morning between 7 and 8 am. You flash a 50 sign on a motorway with fluid traffic and expect me to brake having a bloke just behind me doing 70? What's the standard answer from the guys excusing this scheme on this very forum? There was a 'variable speed limit sign' a mile ago and that should've kept me on my toes? I'm the criminal if I didn't see it?

I'm sorry, but you clearly insinuate some degree of 'difficulty' in finding it a problem being able to adhere to a variable speed limit despite having adequate notice from signs displayed to be able to do so.

Why would you not see the signs (from, in your own words, a mile's notice)?

Why would you not be paying attention to what is around you whilst driving?

Why is it a problem (a difficulty) to reduce from 70mph to 50mph in the space of a mile?

You may not have specifically stated the word 'difficulty' but you have clearly described it.

I keep trying to convey the gaussian idea that poor drivers will always be present or that even good ones can have a poor reaction but you keep coming back to the ad hominem argument. Ad aurigam in this case.

Yet more and more of the 'well, then they should quit' lines I predicted. Keep'em coming, people.

As for the member stating 'the system works, it's the people's fault' (do I sum it up ok?), well, I just loved it.