motorway speed limits

[coupe deville]

Driving down to East Midlands Airport on the M1 in the morning rush hour for our hols last week I had 2 very different experiences. First 40 odd miles were fraught [ for the wife who is a poor passenger after a serious accident with an earlier boyfriend who managed to roll his car several times ]. Drivers were jockeying for position, speeding up to the cars in front then tailgating to try to intimidate them, undertaking to gain a couple of places, pulling out if even half a safe gap was there, bit of a pain really.
Then the last 10 miles or so which were controlled by average speed cameras [ 50 mph ] thru the road widening part near Nottingham turn off. What a difference, Nearly everybody stopped in 1 lane [ couldn't move over to left because it was so busy ] and tootled along at 50 ish and I'm sure we all made faster progress as a result.
I've come to the conclusion that all motorways should be controlled by average speed cameras with a flexible but mandatory limit flashing on the matrix signs.
50 mph during rushhour in good conditions and less in bad conditions
100 mph + at 3 o clock in the morning in good conditions would be somewhere near the mark IMHO

 

[Dieselman]

Oh Gawd. The lynch mob will be after you...

 

[flango]

Driving down to East Midlands Airport on the M1 in the morning rush hour for our hols last week I had 2 very different experiences. First 40 odd miles were fraught [ for the wife who is a poor passenger after a serious accident with an earlier boyfriend who managed to roll his car several times ]. Drivers were jockeying for position, speeding up to the cars in front then tailgating to try to intimidate them, undertaking to gain a couple of places, pulling out if even half a safe gap was there, bit of a pain really.
Then the last 10 miles or so which were controlled by average speed cameras [ 50 mph ] thru the road widening part near Nottingham turn off. What a difference, Nearly everybody stopped in 1 lane [ couldn't move over to left because it was so busy ] and tootled along at 50 ish and I'm sure we all made faster progress as a result.
I've come to the conclusion that all motorways should be controlled by average speed cameras with a flexible but mandatory limit flashing on the matrix signs.
50 mph during rushhour in good conditions and less in bad conditions
100 mph + at 3 o clock in the morning in good conditions would be somewhere near the mark IMHO

Now thats what I call sticking your head above the parapet :bannana:

 

[coupe deville]

why ?? too fast or too slow
or big brother is watching you - some of the nutters on the roads need watching 24 / 7 remember we could all get up at 3 and go for a proper legal blast

 

[flango]

why ?? too fast or too slow
or big brother is watching you - some of the nutters on the roads need watching 24 / 7

Well in principle I tend to agree, the new variable speed limit on the M42 around Birmingham works well in my opinion and has certainly speeded up my journey to Cornwall in rush hour, and as in my earlier posts I agree clear motorway early hours of morning 70 mph is a joke. Some of the nutters do need watching 24/7 but I would rather get them off the road altogether as some standards of driving these days beggar belief.

However there are a lot of people on here who are anti camera, anti ANPR, anti CCTV you know big brother is watching and all that S***e spread by people who have something to hide!

 

[Dryce]

Then the last 10 miles or so which were controlled by average speed cameras [ 50 mph ] thru the road widening part near Nottingham turn off. What a difference, Nearly everybody stopped in 1 lane [ couldn't move over to left because it was so busy ] and tootled along at 50 ish and I'm sure we all made faster progress as a result.

Sadly I have to agree. As long as you don't get people crawling along too far under the limit the averaging cameras invoke a change of behaviour to smooth the flow and calm everything down.

 

[gIzzE]

I disagree, the cameras out there should be used to ticket anyone that sits closer than 3 seconds behind the driver in front.

That would make it safer out there, I would rather be on a road with everyone doing 120mph and a nice 3 second gap between us than some cnut sat on my bumper doing 50mph.

 

[Uberwagon]

Why over complicate matters and confuse the general public?

Fixed limits, leave fast driving to those willing to take the risk where they deem it safe and have humans checking on speed, driving.

Dave!

 

[robert.saunders]

I'm all for average speed cameras and variable limits on the motorway network. Throughput is much higher, which is needed on the crowded network. I think I posted this view on a thread somewhere else once.

The M25, at the very least, should be variable limit in its entirety, enforced by SPECS throughout. Interesting notion about raising the 70 limit during periods of less / light traffic

 

[Rose Chap]

I admire such refreshing thinking on this matter, but I think more methods for controlling drivers are not the key.

Whilst not necessarily easy, the best results would be gained with better driver training.

For example, teaching lane discipline to middle and outer lane morons would mean people would be able to make progress if they wanted to, actually understanding how incredibly dangerous tailgating is would hopefully make it less prevalent leading to less undertaking, teaching people to indicate and plan maneuvers rather than just going for it would yield good results - it's really just roadcraft.

This could all be enforced by human police officers who can do more than just identify a car exceeding a certain speed threshold.

 

[Shude]

For example, teaching lane discipline to middle and outer lane morons would mean people would be able to make progress if they wanted to, actually understanding how incredibly dangerous tailgating is would hopefully make it less prevalent leading to less undertaking, teaching people to indicate and plan maneuvers rather than just going for it would yield good results - it's really just roadcraft.

It's too late, they already have licenses and they're driving out there right now! Computer controlled variable speed limits and cameras should be able to sort it out.

 

[Rovinghawk]

However there are a lot of people on here who are anti camera, anti ANPR, anti CCTV you know big brother is watching and all that S***e spread by people who have something to hide!

It could equally be argued that people who have done nothing wrong shouldn't be spied on.
RH

 

[Rose Chap]

It's too late, they already have licenses and they're driving out there right now! Computer controlled variable speed limits and cameras should be able to sort it out.

I disagree.

We see plenty of adverts on TV extolling the virtues of not smoking, fastening your seatbelt, or how pedestrians all die if you drive over them at 30.1 mph. Why not adverts on correct lane discipline and awareness of who's around you?

 

[flango]

It could equally be argued that people who have done nothing wrong shouldn't be spied on.
RH

It could also be argued they are there for our protection and safety???

 

[Gollom]

It could equally be argued that people who have done nothing wrong shouldn't be spied on.
RH

Don't disagree - but how do you split out those that have and those that haven't in the first place?

 

[bigyin1]

I have just one question : How many of us on here stick rigidly to exactly 50/60/70 mph where applicable?

(not counting 20/30/40 as you'd have to be an idiot to speed in such areas)

Personally - My driving style has changed dramatically since i moved from my high revving japanese MPV to my MB. Admittedly i don't have the power so can't do anything about it, BUT i find myself just cruising along keeping up with the traffic and not hell bent on getting past anyone that is in front of me. On the very occasional time that i have to venture on to a motorway i'll sit at what ever speed i think is appropriate (within reason) for that time dependant on traffic volume and weather.

I completely agree with banditdave about the standard of motorway driving. I'm fortunate that i don't have to go on them very often but when I do it never ceases to amaze me the sheer stupidity of driving on them. However I do worry WHEN (not if) we are governed by SPECS on the motorways, what these stupid drivers are going to do??

 

[gIzzE]

Whilst not necessarily easy, the best results would be gained with better driver training.

For example, teaching lane discipline to middle and outer lane morons would mean people would be able to make progress if they wanted to......

They have started to use the Matri displays to educate people...

Some now say "Don't be a middle lane hog!"


People honestly don't think they are doing anything wrong staying in the outside lane if they are going to overtake that lorry half a mile down the road anyway, even if they are only doing 2mph more than it.

 

[Uberwagon]

If the conditions are ok and I wont be causing alarm to anyone else then i'll drive at whatever limit I feel to be safe. Sometimes far far greater than the posted limit and in a lot of cases also far lower.

The main things which I find stop my progress on the roads.

Anyone who flashes when being overtaken, the person behind wanted to go faster, deal with it. Aslong as the overtake was done safely then what is the problem?

Lane discipline on motorways, use the lane farthest to the left, I understand if the inner lane is not used in many cases and that is fine, but the outside lane should really only be used for overtakes when used properly in normal driving away from rush hour conditions.

MIRROR signal maonouver, if you see me, don't bloody move over still.

Lack of common courtosey. If i'm in lane 3 and someone in lane 2 is coming up behind a slower car, i'll move over, as many people do so that no slowing down is needed, if there is no space i'll accelerate ahead to enable the person to glide past the car infront and then back in again. People who don't do this are selfish knobs.

People are far ruder and tough when in cars, which is a shame as it turns people selfish.

Dave!

 

[robert.saunders]

On motorway driving, I always find I am a better driver than everyone else; I expect most also feel the same

 

[Rovinghawk]

It could also be argued they are there for our protection and safety???

So they spy on me for my protection & safety? What if I'd prefer to be less protected, less safe, less spied upon & more free?
Then again, they've never asked me what I want.

I have an idea- why not do random house searches in case I have guns/drugs/cash (now illegal) or anything else I shouldn't have? It would ultimately be for our protection & safety.

RH