Why is speeding socially acceptable?

luckyduck83

At the weekend, in the pub, a friend announced they'd been following me on a recent journey and called me "Mr Sensible" for apparently sticking to the posted limits. Someone else in the pub then piped-up and told everyone that he'd been flashed by a new speed camera in a nearby village - everyone then started moaning about speed cameras.

This morning a DJ on the radio declared how he was going to do his speed awareness course this afternoon - many mocking comments about how inconvenient it is were made by him and his sidekick.

We live in a village and I would say 90% of drivers break the limit.

So why is speeding so acceptable? Have the authorities got it wrong and should limits be raised, as the general concensus is that we should be able to drive a lot faster (just try doing 20mph in a 20 zone and watch how annoyed everyone gets)?

It's even legal to have Google Maps/Waze etc. have speed cameras on the map to ensure you can drive above the limit when you wish knowing you'll be warned as you approach a camera.

Replace any of the above scenarios with drink-driving and there would be shock and outrage.

consumers_revenge

Speeding wrecks life’s. Simples.

The DJ is a dickh@@d. Simples.

Radioland keyboard warrior.

Mobeer

Your answer is in your question - if 90% of people are speeding then 90% of people have sympathy for those who get caught.

Herzlos

Almost everyone thinks that they are a better than average driver so can drive a bit faster safely. They also generally feel that speeding is a victimless crime, because they haven't had an accident yet. They've probably had a few misses due to other drivers pulling out in front of them / speeding / being reckless.

Norman_Castle

Have the authorities got it wrong and should limits be raised, as the general concensus is that we should be able to drive a lot faster

I expect most motorists would be happy to drive faster but speed limits are set for the safety of everyone, not just motorists. Its easy to feel safe inside an air bagged safety cage contentedly ignoring the risk you are to others.
What would be the benefit of increasing speed limits? Sensibly higher speeds would make very little difference to journey times.

coffeehound

Many speed limits are viewed as being unreasonably low by reasonable people. Also there can be a lack of consistency in the setting of limits. It is a mistake for LAs to set limits too low as people are more likely to lose respect for the system as a whole. Even official bodies do not recognise minor speeding offences as serious because, let’s face it, just about every driver has had at least one.

forgotmyname

Speed limits are set for safety? Are you sure?

How many twisty narrow lanes are there with a national speed limit of 60mph yet many dual carriageways with a 40mph or 50mph limit?

So its safer to drive at 60mph on a twisty narrow lane then doing 60 on a dual carriageway?

Local dual carriageway had a 70mph limit, 2 accidents where they must have been double that and speed cameras appear. Then a while late the speed limit gets dropped to 50mph. WHY?

Another road was 40mph, cameras installed and very few tickets issued, then they drop the limit to 30mph. WHY? No accidents to blame on that one.

luckyduck83

forgotmyname wrote: »

Local dual carriageway had a 70mph limit, 2 accidents where they must have been double that and speed cameras appear. Then a while late the speed limit gets dropped to 50mph. WHY?

Another road was 40mph, cameras installed and very few tickets issued, then they drop the limit to 30mph. WHY? No accidents to blame on that one.

I totally understand that councils use speeding motorists as a way of earning revenue, but it doesn't really explain why people are happy to be revenue earners. If you do the limit, there's no chance of getting a ticket.

luckyduck83

Norman_Castle wrote: »

What would be the benefit of increasing speed limits? Sensibly higher speeds would make very little difference to journey times.

The same could be said for speeding. Is it worth it for the little difference to journey time?

Mercdriver

luckyduck83 wrote: »

I totally understand that councils use speeding motorists as a way of earning revenue, but it doesn't really explain why people are happy to be revenue earners. If you do the limit, there's no chance of getting a ticket.

How? The money goes into central revenue, not even to local police force.

martinthebandit

Mercdriver wrote: »

How? The money goes into central revenue, not even to local police force.

The money from fines goes to central revenue, the money from 'speed awareness courses' goes to the local county council who, coincidentally pay for speed cameras.