Why is speeding socially acceptable?

unforeseen

Ganga wrote: »

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Could it not be because of the increase in traffic on the roads in the last 25 years?

Did you miss the bit that said

on a clear road without traffic or other issues

Cornucopia

Mercdriver wrote: »

Didn't the A2 change to Average speed cameras some time ago? So they will be getting caught in any case as long as the cameras are actually functional?

Yes, the half dozen or so static speed cameras in the London section were replaced by average speed cameras around 5 years ago (ish).

The Kent section between Dartford Heath and Faversham normally has no speed cameras - either fixed, average speed or camera van locations.

There are roadworks at Medway Bridge at the moment (until March 9) that have a commercial speed camera van (based on the wording on it).

agrinnall

unforeseen wrote: »

Did you miss the bit that said

Where's the evidence that on a clear road the mandated time is slower? If there has been no reduction in speed limits on that A to B route then the time to complete the journey will be the same as it was 25 years ago, or possibly slightly quicker as it's likely that the average new car accelerates faster and brakes more efficiently than the equivalent car at that time.

Norman_Castle

CardinalWolsey wrote: »

What makes that a somewhat nonsensical statement is the rather arbitrary way in which many speed limits are defined. What makes one speed limit right and another wrong? Why is it OK to drive on an autoroute in France at 130kmh in the dry, but not on a motorway in the UK? Why is there a single track lane near me that is a 60mph limit originally no speed limit because... (but you'd be mad attempting it over 30mph) and no current need to introduce a lower limit because mad drivers aren't using it, yet all the major trunk roads around me have been reduced from 60mph to 50mph, and in some places 40 The trunk roads will be heavily used and assessed as needing a lower limit due to how it is being used and potential dangers . Why is there still a section of road just around the corner that is 20mph, set when there was a school and now there isn't...

Why is it socially acceptable that on a clear road without traffic or other issues, the mandated time it takes to drive from A to B in 2019 is slower than it was 25 years ago, with all of the advances in technology that we have?

Its socially acceptable as its considered safer for everyone.


Close to me there is a pointless bollard which repeatedly gets damaged then repaired and regularly damages cars. It serves no useful purpose. I asked the council about its removal but because it is within 100? meters of a school entrance its removal requires extensive checks and paperwork. I expect your 20mph limit is the same.

NBLondon

Mercdriver wrote: »

Didn't the A2 change to Average speed cameras some time ago? So they will be getting caught in any case as long as the cameras are actually functional?

Cornucopia wrote: »

Yes, the half dozen or so static speed cameras in the London section were replaced by average speed cameras around 5 years ago (ish).

Well to be honest I hadn't noticed a change in the signage but as I keep to the limit, it's not an issue for me. It would be interesting to know if they are catching more speeders and whether it really did have the desired effect of keeping the average speed down - and other people have asked this too.

Putting them on the 2-lane bit of M2 from Medway services eastward would be interesting - that often seems to have Lane 1 running at 56mph - HGVs and Lane 2 running at 80mph -BMWs so cruising at 70mph isn't straightforward.

Cornucopia

NBLondon wrote: »

Putting them on the 2-lane bit of M2 from Medway services eastward would be interesting - that often seems to have Lane 1 running at 56mph - HGVs and Lane 2 running at 80mph -BMWs so cruising at 70mph isn't straightforward.

Yes, this is what I have found, too. I'd also like to see a continental style "no lorry overtaking" on the lead up to the 3 lane section.

CardinalWolsey

agrinnall wrote: »

Where's the evidence that on a clear road the mandated time is slower? If there has been no reduction in speed limits on that A to B route then the time to complete the journey will be the same as it was 25 years ago, or possibly slightly quicker as it's likely that the average new car accelerates faster and brakes more efficiently than the equivalent car at that time.

The point is that there are plenty of roads that are having speed limits reduced, for no apparent (or documented) reason. As I commented on my post, lots of the roads in my area have been reduced from 60 down to either 50 or 40. When this happened there was no consultation, no published information by highways as to why it was taking place. It just happened. So whilst I absolutely agree it should be quicker between A and B, the authorities have mandated that it will take longer by reducing unilaterally the limit.

CardinalWolsey

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Why is there a single track lane near me that is a 60mph limit originally no speed limit because... (but you'd be mad attempting it over 30mph) and no current need to introduce a lower limit because mad drivers aren't using it,

That's a sound argument for driving at an appropriate speed, rather than relying solely on a posted speed limit. Glad you agree.

bartelbe

I obey speed limits but I am beginning to question the sense of this sometimes. The problem is limits are no longer set in a sensible way. On some roads they are set at absurdly low levels. A good example is a road near me which passes nothing but fields, which has been reduced from a NSL to a 30 zone. I feel daft everytime I obey it, holding up a queue of frustrated traffic behind me.

Of course the mirror of this is the inability of British drivers to drive to the conditions. The limit is a limit, not a target. So just because a road is a NSL, doesn't mean you should do 60 round a blind bend.

The problem is people can't be trusted to drive to the conditions of the road, so the body setting the limits compensates by setting them absurdly low.

Car_54

CardinalWolsey wrote: »

lots of the roads in my area have been reduced from 60 down to either 50 or 40. When this happened there was no consultation, no published information by highways as to why it was taking place. It just happened.

AFAIK, a Traffic Regulation Order must be put in place before a speed limit is changed, and any such proposed change must be advertised locally to allow for objections.



You can ask your local highway authority for a copy of the relevant order(s) (they may be available on their website).