speed on motorway

[TerryWilliams]

What should the motorway speed limit be?

Could I politely suggest that this should depend on a number of factors: driver experience, qualification (driving that is), weather, road conditions, day or night, density of traffic and probably a few more.

We have the same speed limit for an 85 year old with poor vision that may not have taken a UK driving test flogging a "moggy minor" in torrential rain as we do for a 35 year old driving a nice new CLK on a bright dry summers day.

Does that really make sense? or is the law over-simplified to make it easy to implement? or am I being ageist or denying somebody their right to inclusion? It is a complex argument when you get into it. . . .

 

[glojo]

or am I being ageist or denying somebody their right to inclusion?

YES

If we look at your theory then the insurance for 'old wrinkley's would have a loading and the premiums for our young drivers would be discounted because they are 'better drivers' and not making as many claims.

I have posted my two penarth on speed limits for motorways and do not see a need at the moment to revise my thoughts. Driving courses are excellent, but I can see any number of problems with connecting them to what speed you can drive at.

Take our white cap man and his souped up Golf EVO GTi. He takes his 'cap off', disciplines himself to take an advanced driving course, then when he successfully passes, out comes the cap and the 'devils horns' and off he goes!

A friend of my sons had an option of some sort of course or a fine. He elected to do the course, but his driving has not changed one jot, he is still a mobile accident looking for somewhere to happen.

Yes some 'old' people should have to re-take a driving test, I cannot say otherwise, but some 'old' drivers are brilliant. Last night I saw a 72yr old bloke racing a Triumph motor bike and although he never came first he certainly did not come last (mid pack)

Take care,
John

 

[Bernie Cook]

Perhaps we should do away with speed limits altogether.

In which case, if in the course of driving you have an accident, the book should be thrown at you. Severe penalties for not anticipating others actions which result in damage to property or loss of life, should be awarded.

I used the words "damage to property or loss of life" because driving like a looney (whether too fast or too close) is a deliberate act which may result in an incident not an accident. An accident is unintential, driving like a looney is a deliberate choice.

 

[Thmsshaun]

Perhaps we should do away with speed limits altogether.

I used the words "damage to property or loss of life" because driving like a looney (whether too fast or too close) is a deliberate act which may result in an incident not an accident. An accident is unintential, driving like a looney is a deliberate choice.

Think that about sums it up. Everyone would know where they stood. Should you choose to drive like an idiot then you should be subject to harsher sentences.

Just as a point of interest what are them German stats for Autobahn fatalities and collisions like, compared with that of the UK motorway network??

 

[Shude]

Just as a point of interest what are them German stats for Autobahn fatalities and collisions like, compared with that of the UK motorway network??

IIRC the Autobahn ain't that hot for accident/fatality stats! Not really a good advert for high-speed motoring.

 

[BenzComander]

IIRC the Autobahn ain't that hot for accident/fatality stats! Not really a good advert for high-speed motoring.

I think the number of accidents is much the same, it's just the average speed is that much higher there tends to be more serious injuries.

Having lived there for 5 years though, got to say the standard of driving and courtesy shown on the roads is in general much better than the UK.

To flash your lights or make an offensive hand gesture while driving can result in an on the spot fine