80mph Motorway limit looks to be coming this summer

[verytalldave]

Its long overdue. The 70mph limit was introduced when VERY few cars could top 90.
Personally, it wont make me go any faster, all it will mean for me is that if and when I need to overtake a middle lane straggler doing 60mph, I wont be breaking the law.
Makes sense.

 

[steve333]

There should be no minimum. My lorry just manages 50mph. I know some lorries that are 45 mph flat out.

Thats a bit selfish to other motorway users isn't it?

 

[steve333]

Its long overdue. The 70mph limit was introduced when VERY few cars could top 90.
Personally, it wont make me go any faster, all it will mean for me is that if and when I need to overtake a middle lane straggler doing 60mph, I wont be breaking the law.
Makes sense.

What hasn't been mentioned is how quick modern cars can stop as opposed to the cars that were around when the 70mph limit was introduced.

 

[MOCAŠ]

There should be no minimum. My lorry just manages 50mph. I know some lorries that are 45 mph flat out.

Interesting point. I suppose you could have a non-HGV minimum of 55mph (to split the difference between 50 and 60) and strictly restrict HGVs to the lane 1 unless overtaking.

But as the average speed of traffic increases (congestion apart), the argument for banning vehicles that can't attain that average becomes stronger. The more variance there is between the speeds at which vehicles are travelling, the greater the risk of an accident.

 

[verytalldave]

What hasn't been mentioned is how quick modern cars can stop as opposed to the cars that were around when the 70mph limit was introduced.

Its only as quick as the drivers reaction time. But I know what you mean.
Very true.

 

[verytalldave]

Interesting point. I suppose you could have a non-HGV minimum of 55mph (to split the difference between 50 and 60) and strictly restrict HGVs to the lane 1 unless overtaking.

But as the average speed of traffic increases (congestion apart), the argument for banning vehicles that can't attain that average becomes stronger. The more variance there is between the speeds at which vehicles are travelling, the greater the risk of an accident.

Or ban vehicles that cant maintain say 55mph during hours of (for example) 6am to 6pm.
That would be much easier to enforce than having a complicated layer of cans and cants.

 

[MOCAŠ]

Its only as quick as the drivers reaction time. But I know what you mean.
Very true.

Indeed. Apparently drivers' reaction times have not improved significantly, and around 20-25% of the Highway Code's overall stopping time (from 70 or 80mph) is thinking time.

 

[Mcnasty]

So why are Germanys autobahns some of the safest motorways in europe?(Agree that lane discepline etc would be a major factor in accidents if speed limits were increased on our motorways though)

Because their autobahns are more superior in every way, than our ****ty so called motorways. Apart from the fact they drive on the wrong side of the road of course!

 

[MOCAŠ]

Because their autobahns are more superior in every way, than our ****ty so called motorways. Apart from the fact they drive on the wrong side of the road of course!

The only thing that has stopped me from expoliting the maximum speed of my car on British motorways is the behaviour of other drivers and, of course, a regard for the law (and for preserving my licence). I would not see the quality of the road itself as a limiting factor.

 

[renault12ts]

Because their autobahns are more superior in every way, than our ****ty so called motorways. Apart from the fact they drive on the wrong side of the road of course!

I love this sort of statement...you know the one...it means nothing but we're all supposed to agree. What exactly is wrong with GB motorways, apart from any local issues you have?

 

[st4]

Restricting coaches and lorries to lane 1 on a 3-lane motorway - disastrous idea!

Why?

Its peoples lane discipline that is at fault. Most traffic in my view bumbles along in lane 1 about 60-70. About the same in lane 2. Usually lane 3 moves somewhat higher, between 80-85mph. At times you can progress on quiet motorways well above 100mph with little getting in your way.

The 80 limit is fine. And lorries should not be allowed to overtake each other. Thats the issue on motorways. They all have an electronic governor so can all waft along at the same speed.

People should be more than capable of looking in their mirrors and moving from lane 1 to 2 and back without fear.

Those that cannot are inadequate drivers and should review their ability to be out on the roads at all.

 

[davidjpowell]

Minimum speed - worth having at, say, 50mph (with exceptions for roadworks, adverse weather, etc, of course)

Restricting coaches and lorries to lane 1 on a 3-lane motorway - disastrous idea!

Why? Large chunks (15-20 mile) long of Autobahn, do precisely this, Allowing some distance at points to let the real slow coaches out of the road.

I have notice that motorways slow markedly on hills where the elephants decide to start racing. Ultimately it makes very little difference to the lorry's drive time, but a lot of difference to car drivers, and the resultant chain can slow a motorway for miles.

 

[Charles Morgan]

German autobahns aren't superior as roads. Most are two lanes, far too many are in dreadful condition, they have far worse junctions and most are very congested with lorries. I used to believe German driving was better, with much superior lane discipline, but extensive driving in recent years proves otherwise. When you get an empty one in great condition with no speed restrictions it is great, but they are extremely rare.

 

[BTB 500]

Indeed. Apparently drivers' reaction times have not improved significantly, and around 20-25% of the Highway Code's overall stopping time (from 70 or 80mph) is thinking time.

A couple of years ago Autocar put an 1928 Austin 7 saloon through their current road test. That stopped from 30 mph in 28 metres (skinny tyres and cable-operated drum brakes on front wheels only) vs current Highway Code figure of 23 metres. So not a huge difference!

 

[st4]

Because their autobahns are more superior in every way, than our ****ty so called motorways. Apart from the fact they drive on the wrong side of the road of course!

But they are not.

Often they are only 2 lane, sometimes no hard shoulder. Poor surfaces. I'd go so far to say ours are a superior specification to theirs. Of all the motorway roads I have sampled in UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy the German ones are the worst.

As is their driving. Middle lane hogging when L1 was quiet on the few 3 lane sections.

The French ones are the clear winners.

 

[st4]

A couple of years ago Autocar put an 1928 Austin 7 saloon through their current road test. That stopped from 30 mph in 28 metres (skinny tyres and cable-operated drum brakes on front wheels only) vs current Highway Code figure of 23 metres. So not a huge difference!

What car did the "highway code" obtain its figures from?

 

[steve333]

I love this sort of statement...you know the one...it means nothing but we're all supposed to agree. What exactly is wrong with GB motorways, apart from any local issues you have?

I suppose it's easy to critisise the motorways we spend the most time on(m25,m3,m4,m40 in my case)congestion,roadworks bad weather(snow in particular)bringing our motorway networks to a halt whereas the german autobahns don't suffer nearly as much from the latter 2 mentioned in my previous experiences,That said,i have driven on some european motorways that are far worse than ours(spain,turkeyetc)

 

[renault12ts]

Why?

Its peoples lane discipline that is at fault. Most traffic in my view bumbles along in lane 1 about 60-70. About the same in lane 2. Usually lane 3 moves somewhat higher, between 80-85mph. At times you can progress on quiet motorways well above 100mph with little getting in your way.

The 80 limit is fine. And lorries should not be allowed to overtake each other. Thats the issue on motorways. They all have an electronic governor so can all waft along at the same speed.

People should be more than capable of looking in their mirrors and moving from lane 1 to 2 and back without fear.

Those that cannot are inadequate drivers and should review their ability to be out on the roads at all.

It's a question of attitude. 60-70 on a Motorway is not bumbling along. You can do 200mph on an empty motorway...doesn't make it acceptable. Yes we know you like some speed Steve...I was 26 once too...but nowadays I tend to bumble along at the legal max, be that 60, 70 or 75. I make progress...BTW most M-ways in Ireland are 2 lanes (with a hard shoulder), but recently I was able to complete 196 miles in three hours, without breaking the speed limit once.

 

[BTB 500]

What car did the "highway code" obtain its figures from?

Something from the 1960s, I would guess.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consu...n/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_188029.pdf

 

[renault12ts]

Although undoubtedly the braking distances are far shorter nowadays, the thinking distances are a constant.