Two fatal Accidents In my area

happyhacker

Oh why, Oh why, do people overtake! I always catch them up. They always break the speed limit as I go along at 55 - 58. I know it's a non post really and that you have to get to 70 to realise the folly. I think every road should have speed detectors. I don't want someone involving me in their accident! Not trying to be smug but just letting off steam.

flashg67

55-58 in what speed limit? if 70, I'm overtaking if it's safe. In a 60 then I may overtake if you're doing nearer 55. Just let people go - if they're ahead, hopefully you won't get caught in their accident...

fatbelly

If you are doing an indicated 55 you are probably doing a true 50. If that is in a 70 zone , or even a 60, then you can expect people to overtake you. They should do so safely. It's a legitimate action -rule 162 onwards

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/using-the-road-159-to-203

matt_drummer

flashg67 said:

55-58 in what speed limit? if 70, I'm overtaking if it's safe. In a 60 then I may overtake if you're doing nearer 55. Just let people go - if they're ahead, hopefully you won't get caught in their accident...

How long does it take to get safely past a car doing 55mph when you are doing 60mph at most?

Sounds quite risky to me?

AntoMac

I hear you @happyhacker  

Mildly_Miffed

So, these fatal accidents in the title...

Were they *really* the difference between 55mph and 65mph? Somehow, I very much doubt it.

HedgehogRulez

55mph past a school seems quite reckless to me…

Emmia

I'd argue that 55mph on a motorway, when everyone else is doing 70(+?) is potentially dangerous, and you're more likely to end up in an accident as a result. 

But really, just let people get on with it. If they want to drive faster (speed limit permitting) let them.

Mildly_Miffed

Emmia said:

I'd argue that 55mph on a motorway, when everyone else is doing 70(+?) is potentially dangerous, and you're more likely to end up in an accident as a result.

I think you might be forgetting that there's a very sizeable proportion of traffic on motorways which is doing ~55mph, and has no option to go faster.

ButterCheese

Emmia said:

I'd argue that 55mph on a motorway, when everyone else is doing 70(+?) is potentially dangerous

That's what I was told when learning to drive.  If the conditions are good, you should be doing 70.  If you're doing 55/60 then you'd get marked down for hesitancy and/or not making good progress.  

As this is a non-factual post, I will add my theory on Mway/DCW accidents, which we do get a lot of where I live.  I think the worst culpret is not doing a shoulder check (checking blindspot).  As a motorcyclist I do this naturally in a car, but so many people don't.  They change lanes into a car that's been hiding in their blindspot and that's it.  swerve, roll, someone following too close behind, quickly can become very serious

Emmia

Mildly_Miffed said:

Emmia said:

I'd argue that 55mph on a motorway, when everyone else is doing 70(+?) is potentially dangerous, and you're more likely to end up in an accident as a result.

I think you might be forgetting that there's a very sizeable proportion of traffic on motorways which is doing ~55mph, and has no option to go faster.

Those are HGVs, if you hit one of those in your car you'll probably come off worse.