An experiment to try.

[Colin_b]

Zero tolerance of speeding is not that far away as technology progresses, so I thought (as a result of a discussion elsewhere) I'd try driving with an absolute compliance with speed limits (ie not break the limit, rather than drive at the limit).

So, for the last week and 1100 miles I've not exceeded the speed limit. At all (apart from once, but that was to avoid trouble).

This isn't revolutionary, I normally drive within ths speed limit, apart from motorways, where 80mph seems to be the norm, and I do that.

Quite an interesting experience, overall. I've used less fuel, by 8%, but had a couple of rather disquieting experiences.

Anyone else tried such a thing?

 

[MBManInKen]

Anyone else tried such a thing?

It's how I always drive.

 

[splang]

I always drive like this (except when at a gtg in Torquay!).

Amusing to see drivers going 40mph at nsl then 40mph at 30limit - muppets!

 

[edgersoldchap]

It's how I always drive.

Me too!

What were the 'disquieting experiences'? I can well imagine you were not the most popular road user and provoked rather aggressive behaviour in others - road rage and all the rest!

I just ignore it without retaliating. it's all so unnecessary.

 

[Colin_b]

Me too!

What were the 'disquieting experiences'? I can well imagine you were not the most popular road user and provoked rather aggressive behaviour in others - road rage and all the rest!

I just ignore it without retaliating. it's all so unnecessary.

Firstly, an inability to overtake safely (except on dual carriageways - not that we have many in Cumbria), so I found myself forming convoys with tourists, caravans and farming equipment. Slightly frustrating, but remedied with patience.

2nd, being overtaken in stupid places, because of problem 1, and agression from other drivers.

3rd, concentration - I spent too much attention on speed, rather than the road and other users, which felt un natural and disconcerting.

Frankly I won't be repeating the experiment, I felt safer sticking to the limits in spirit, rather than treat them as an impenetrable barrier.

Those who say they always drive like that, do you really mean you never exceed the posted limit at all, ever (which is what I attempted to do)?

 

[Sp!ke]

sticking to the limits in spirit

I like that phrase

Thats the second phrase or word today that I've made a mental note of.

The other one was my son incorrectly pronouncing powercut. Instead he said powergut.

A marvelous description for those that don't sport a six pack I thought.

 

[edgersoldchap]

Firstly, an inability to overtake safely (except on dual carriageways - not that we have many in Cumbria), so I found myself forming convoys with tourists, caravans and farming equipment. Slightly frustrating, but remedied with patience.

2nd, being overtaken in stupid places, because of problem 1, and agression from other drivers.

3rd, concentration - I spent too much attention on speed, rather than the road and other users, which felt un natural and disconcerting.

Frankly I won't be repeating the experiment, I felt safer sticking to the limits in spirit, rather than treat them as an impenetrable barrier.

Those who say they always drive like that, do you really mean you never exceed the posted limit at all, ever (which is what I attempted to do)?

Must admit, I do not drive literally within the limit, as safety is the priority.

1 & 2. Most of my driving is in the city or motorway, so these circumstances do not arise.
3. I think that as you drive more at the lower speeds, you sense that your speed is 70 rather than 80 (if you're on a motorway ) so the concentration required reduces after a while.

I find that I'm much more relaxed not being part of the rat race, and that my journey time is not really so much different. What does 5 miniutes matter when you're hoping to be on the planet for a darn site longer than that?

 

[MBManInKen]

Amusing to see drivers going 40mph at nsl then 40mph at 30limit - muppets!

Funny you'd mention this now. Yesterday I was coming back into London on the M4. The speed limit there goes from 70 to 60, then to 40mph as you enter London.

On the 60mph stretch, some woman in a VW polo was doing about 50mph. In the outside line. With no one in the inside line. I don't want to overtake on the left, so stay behind her. After a while she moves over and I go past.

Once I get to the 40mph stretch, who goes past me, still at 50mph? Yep, that same woman!

And straight past a speed camera in the process.

 

[MBManInKen]

Those who say they always drive like that, do you really mean you never exceed the posted limit at all, ever (which is what I attempted to do)?

Yes, that's what I mean. Speedtronic is a great tool to help with that.

I don't really understand your problems, though. I have never had any issues with overtaking - it's not any different from overtaking at other speeds and I almost never "convoy".

As for others overtaking you - I'm not sure I understand either. As long as you drive appropriately to the left, others can overtake you as they want, surely?

And with regard to aggression: perhaps a LWB S500 deflates others' desire to show aggression .

 

[robert.saunders]

... so I found myself forming convoys with tourists, caravans and farming equipment. Slightly frustrating, but remedied with patience.

Make sure you're not racing

 

[crockers]

.

3rd, concentration - I spent too much attention on speed, rather than the road and other users, which felt un natural and disconcerting.

Easily avoided......................use speedtronic

Why isnt this fitted to all cars by law............then no excuses like I spend too much time looking at my speedo to look at the road....

 

[verytalldave]

Up to about 3 months ago (when I splashed out and bought my C200K) I drove a Clio 1.2.
Without wishing to incriminate myself, I find I drive the Mercedes slower that the Clio 99% of the time. I have tried to figure out why this is, but cant think of a valid reason why this should be.
And the strange thing is, most journey times dont seem to be discernably different despite my generally slightly slower pace.

 

[BTB 500]

I have never had any issues with overtaking - it's not any different from overtaking at other speeds and I almost never "convoy".

It depends where you're driving really.

E.g. stuck on a NSL single carriageway road behind someone who slows down to a crawl for every bend, then speeds up to 55 on the straights. It's not normally possible to inch past (as you could on a motorway or dual carriageway) ... safer to accelerate (which would be a 'fail' as far as this experiment goes) then slow down again when past.

 

[BTB 500]

Without wishing to incriminate myself, I find I drive the Mercedes slower that the Clio 99% of the time. I have tried to figure out why this is, but cant think of a valid reason why this should be.

Possibly an 'auto versus manual' thing? I tend to drive my SL slower and in a more relaxed way than my Sharan (which is a manual).

 

[verytalldave]

Possibly an 'auto versus manual' thing? I tend to drive my SL slower and in a more relaxed way than my Sharan (which is a manual).

Maybe.......a very interesting theory.......its true, I do feel much more relaxed driving this car, but I just put that down to other factors.
Does anyone else find they drive autos in more relaxed manner than manuals?
You could have hit on it there.........

 

[Rory]

I have mixed feeling about rigidly sticking to speed limits (which I generally do, but only out of fear of losing my licence). Most roads, bearing in mind traffic & weather conditions, have a 'natural' speed (this is the 85th percentile thing).

The problem is that may be higher or lower than the posted limit. Often, it's higher, so traffic tends to drive a little faster than the limit and it flows along nicely. You then get someone who drives at or below the limit, and it causes the more hot-headed drivers to get frustrated and try to bully the slower driver or else overtake them, possibly in a dangerous manner.

 

[verytalldave]

I know what you say, and to a point I have to agree, but I feel there are more than one or two here that will point out that there are no excuses to speed....etc...etc....
I do agree that roads do have a "NATURAL" speed. Trouble is "that" speed is different for all road users.........

 

[Rory]

I do agree that roads do have a "NATURAL" speed. Trouble is "that" speed is different for all road users.........

It should be the 85th percentile speed. But the speed limit is generally set lower than that generally to keep the locals happy. Co-incidentally, that also creates many speed camera revenue generating opportunities.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limit#85th_percentile_rule

 

[MBManInKen]

Most roads, bearing in mind traffic & weather conditions, have a 'natural' speed (this is the 85th percentile thing).

That might be true (in fact my opinion is that it is true), but in reality is a different point. The speed limits are what they are and remaining within them is a simple point of obeying the law.

Whether or not the current legal provisions are adequate i s an entirely different matter. As I said before, I believe that the speed limits on motorways in the UK is too low - but I will still stick to them.

To suggest that it is fine to ignore/break the law when you don't agree with it, is a very slippery slope. If only, because that means that we all get to decide what we do and what is allowed just based on our individual beliefs and preferences, and clearly a legal system cannot work like that, nor can an organised society operate in that fashion.

So, it's quite OK to disagree with the law as it stands and to campaign or lobby for change, preferably based on solid arguments and data, but it does not follow that it is therefore ok to break it.

 

[MBManInKen]

IE.g. stuck on a NSL single carriageway road behind someone who slows down to a crawl for every bend, then speeds up to 55 on the straights. It's not normally possible to inch past (as you could on a motorway or dual carriageway) ... safer to accelerate (which would be a 'fail' as far as this experiment goes) then slow down again when past.

But that is something different - that is about people's driving style. Dawdling and dithering can clearly be annoying and disruptive, but that is different from sticking to the limit.

I stick to the limits, but I do not dawdle or slow down ridiculously before bends and the like. I move along quite swiftly in fact and get as annoyed by dawdling as you.