Speeding! Any Advice?

[pammy]

Now, on another note, I have a friend who insists on driving after he has been in the pub all day - he says his ability to drive is unimpaired - what's opinion like on that one

Andy

ooh - not sure we should even go there - but depends has he been in the pub all day drinking alcoholic drinks? or just working there maybe and not drinking presume the former!

I used to have a friend of a similar view - again though the law is clear - drive over the limit and you're committing an offence - simple

 

[glojo]

I disagree that the road needs re-engineering, the drivers need re-educating that a 40mph limit means just that - not a speed they think is suitable.

Due to previous accidents the highways agency erected a crash barrier but that didn't stop the last idiot, he hit a lampost first bending it back 45 degrees which then acted as a takeoff ramp so his car cleared the barrier and travelled some 20 metres horizontally before hitting a building in between the ground floor and first floor with his car in flames-
. when the last motorcyclist died his family blamed the positioning of the lamp post as the cause of his death despite it being estimated he hit it doing something like 140 mph and no longer attached to the bike. The family of the previous car owner to die (he tried demolishing the same house as the latest one) blamed the lack of a speed camera for his death.

NOT ONE of these people or their relatives have had the guts to say it was their fault because they were driving like morons - quite frankly the more people like that who end up as statistics the better, it may help point out to a few people that driving at your own speed limits is really not the best thing to do.

the council has made an effort, the 40 mph signs were replaced and are clearly visible, they installed a crash barrier both at the side of the road and in the centre, there is plenty of street lighting and the road when used "as per the instructions" in as safe as houses. Sadly safeguarding and legislating against stupidity is absolutely impossible. Close one lane, great idea except that this road happens to be the only main road along this bit of the south coast and is used by all the traffic - it's jammed solid most of the time so the speed limit is academic and closing it would grind at least 3 towns to a stop - it's at night and weekends when the roads are relatively clear the problems start - exactly the time that people would like to see speed limits relaxed

Now, on another note, I have a friend who insists on driving after he has been in the pub all day - he says his ability to drive is unimpaired - what's opinion like on that one

Andy

Hi Andy,
I think your getting a bit to engrossed into the 'speed' part of your message. You say accidents happen at week-ends and yes the driver is stupid, and yes it is the drivers fault. I have no arguement with you on that, BUT.. It is the innocent people these idiots kill that MUST be protected and that is why something should be done. Something constructive that will prevent these terrible fatal accidents.

Drink driving is something I am totally against.

Regards,
John

 

[Swiss Toni]

Personally (ie it might only work for me) I found that a good Driver Training Course (on public roads not a racetrack) and Cruise Control have kept my licence clean.

I guess the biggest change was to my attitude and what I perceive as a hazard?

Getting tailgated doesn't get me angry. Getting overtaken isn't a problem.

I think the training was money well spent - and better than paying some blood-sucking lawyer to get me off!!!

 

[Plodd]

Personally (ie it might only work for me) I found that a good Driver Training Course (on public roads not a racetrack) and Cruise Control have kept my licence clean.

I guess the biggest change was to my attitude and what I perceive as a hazard?

Getting tailgated doesn't get me angry. Getting overtaken isn't a problem.

I think the training was money well spent - and better than paying some blood-sucking lawyer to get me off!!!

Very good advice but not many will heed it.

We all think we are the worlds best driver but most are oblivious to their own shortcomings. When I did my Police standard driving course, probably very similar to the 'civvy' IAM thing I was amazed at what I didn't know. It was a real eye opener. Then again a few years later I did the advanced course with similar results. I had been driving a good few years and thought I knew it all but how wrong I was.
When you consider the potential cost of one speeding conviction an advanced driving course could be money well spent.
By the way I have a clean driving licence and have had for over 20yrs and none of that is down to my job getting me off and no, I don't potter about and did use my whaletail cossie to almost it's full potential.
If you are going to exceed the speed limit it's knowing when and where it's safe to do so (for people and licences). This is where most people make their mistakes. Inappropriate speed for the road they are on.

 

[Brian WH]

Very good advice but not many will heed it.

If you are going to exceed the speed limit it's knowing when and where it's safe to do so (for people and licences). This is where most people make their mistakes. Inappropriate speed for the road they are on.

Do the Police bear that in mind then, when they stop you???----NO.

 

[Plodd]

Do the Police bear that in mind then, when they stop you???----NO.

Oh I think they do, 15mph over the speed limit outside a school during school time will most likely get you done,(and quite right too) same on quiet open road will most probably not even merit a stop if you slow down when you see the officer.

 

[Sp!ke]

Oh I think they do, 15mph over the speed limit outside a school during school time will most likely get you done,(and quite right too) same on quiet open road will most probably not even merit a stop if you slow down when you see the officer.

Yeah but if you use your whaletail cossie to almost it's full potential then you'd probably be doing more like 70mph over the limit wouldnt you? I doubt anyone would turn a blind eye to that would they?

 

[silverarrow]

pay it and wait for the government to introduce the new speeding points system bmw mbz and other high class cars will pay more lol lol
remember this my nan said nothing matters in 100 years

 

[Will]

I disagree that the road needs re-engineering, the drivers need re-educating that a 40mph limit means just that - not a speed they think is suitable.

Due to previous accidents the highways agency erected a crash barrier but that didn't stop the last idiot, he hit a lampost first bending it back 45 degrees which then acted as a takeoff ramp so his car cleared the barrier and travelled some 20 metres horizontally before hitting a building in between the ground floor and first floor with his car in flames- he walked away with minor injuries, his father was interviewed and blamed the council for not putting up a better crash barrier. when the last motorcyclist died his family blamed the positioning of the lamp post as the cause of his death despite it being estimated he hit it doing something like 140 mph and no longer attached to the bike. The family of the previous car owner to die (he tried demolishing the same house as the latest one) blamed the lack of a speed camera for his death.

NOT ONE of these people or their relatives have had the guts to say it was their fault because they were driving like morons - quite frankly the more people like that who end up as statistics the better, it may help point out to a few people that driving at your own speed limits is really not the best thing to do.

the council has made an effort, the 40 mph signs were replaced and are clearly visible, they installed a crash barrier both at the side of the road and in the centre, there is plenty of street lighting and the road when used "as per the instructions" in as safe as houses. Sadly safeguarding and legislating against stupidity is absolutely impossible. Close one lane, great idea except that this road happens to be the only main road along this bit of the south coast and is used by all the traffic - it's jammed solid most of the time so the speed limit is academic and closing it would grind at least 3 towns to a stop - it's at night and weekends when the roads are relatively clear the problems start - exactly the time that people would like to see speed limits relaxed

Now, on another note, I have a friend who insists on driving after he has been in the pub all day - he says his ability to drive is unimpaired - what's opinion like on that one

Andy

Purely out of interest, does this particular stretch of road have any warning signs to warn the unfamiliar that it has an exceptionally sharp bend or adverse camber?

The only reason I am curious is that because whenever I see such a sign on an unfamiliar road, I always take precautions and expect the worst!

Many people these days, rightly or wrongly assume that speed limits are set too low for a given stretch of road. Often this is the case, but obviously not for your example. I am not sure if a camera would prevent people from loosing control of a vehicle on your bend - after all, if they are the sort of people to be travelling at 140MPH do you really think they are bothered about getting caught speeding. If they knew the stretch of road, they would know there was a camera there (as well as the bend). If they didn't, they would not be expecting either!

Obviously, the chances of noticing a warning sign at 140MPH would be close to zero, but for the 6070MPH crowd, it might make them think twice (plus it would cost next to nothing to install, and would not acuse any controversy)

Just a thought?

Will

 

[Shude]

...for the 6070MPH crowd, it might make them think twice

I think it's measured in Mach once you break the sound barrier, reduces the number of digits

 

[andy_k]

agreed Will, and no there are no signs there (aside from the big 40mph ones) it's a weird road, the bend isn't sharp just and the adverse camber isn't really noticeable, the crest of the hill isn't that sharp it's just when all of the factors combine it becomes a problem.

I think if people thought there was a camera somewhere they'd approach with a bit more caution if that fails - well, it's one more thing for the idiots to demolish or use to kill themselves

Andy

 

[Will]

agreed Will, and no there are no signs there (aside from the big 40mph ones) it's a weird road, the bend isn't sharp just and the adverse camber isn't really noticeable, the crest of the hill isn't that sharp it's just when all of the factors combine it becomes a problem.

I think if people thought there was a camera somewhere they'd approach with a bit more caution if that fails - well, it's one more thing for the idiots to demolish or use to kill themselves

Andy

First of all - Merry Christmas (Eve!)

Glad you agree Andy, but my personal thoughts are that prevention is better than cure? The ones who crash would probably set the speed camera off, but what consolation is that to the family whose house is demolished, or the innocent party who is injured or killed? I personally feel that a strong warning will have more effect in educating drivers, rather than another grey box at the side of the road.

I must admit to becoming frustrated at speed limits, and on certain roads (no explanation required) it is difficult to stick to the posted limits. If there is a warning sign, you can be fairly certain that there is a very good reason for it, where as fixed cameras can give the impression of 'revenue earners'.

Obviously the road you mention needs to have something changed, before any more drivers (or 'idiots'!) kill themselves and others.

Cheers,

Will

 

[jamesg]

I have to disagree with Plodd that there's any true discretion with speeding today. It's fast turning into an automatically enforced zero-tolerance offence. Take a poll around any workplace in th UK today and you'll find that those with clean licences are beginning to become a minority. Mobile "safety" cameras are turning even motorway driving into an event where you spend more time gazing at the speedo than you do at the road. Until the traffic cars get back on the road in decent numbers then speeding will be a matter of points and prizes, with the prizes all going to council or police. Powerful databases and camera networks will soon be measuring our average speed everywhere we go!

 

[glojo]

Well we have just got back from Lincolnshire and have successfully run the gauntlet of the M42.

I must confess to having a 'thing' about this three lane revenue collector. For over 12 months there has been a 50mph temporary speed limit on this road and I have yet to see any workers, or improvement to the road. (We only travel up during holiday periods, so it is possible that work is perhaps carried out at odd times, but why not switch off the camera's when the road is not obstructed, and there are no workers?)

Because of the sheer volume of traffic all travelling at a slow speed delays soon arise and this time we had the spectacle of travelling at 10 - 30mph for perhaps 5 miles with the overhead lights flashing '40' . However after about 5 miles of this crawl the traffic picked up speed and the overhead warnings displayed '60' but the speed camera signs all clearly displayed 50mph?????

No doubt this is a new ploy by the Chancellor who is allegedly against 'stealth taxation?? Course you can go at 60mph, but if you exceed 50mph, I will send you a seasonal greeting.

Regards,
John

 

[Shude]

For over 12 months there has been a 50mph temporary speed limit on this road and I have yet to see any workers, or improvement to the road.

I was considering taking a birthday cake to my nearest roadworks workers as 12 months approached but they finished it just before it was time

 

[anarchy-inc]

I disagree that the road needs re-engineering, the drivers need re-educating that a 40mph limit means just that - not a speed they think is suitable.

Sorry to jump so late into this thread but I just had to comment here.

Sorry but some roads do need work doing to make them safer. Start by removing all those traffic calming islands that cause people to take more risks as they have to overtake into oncoming traffic. Who's bright idea was that? They put one of these near my house and since then I've nearly been hit 3 or 4 times because of this "traffic calming", and have seen 2 accidents in the same spot, in the same place I was nearly hit. Why? Because Bicester council thought this would make us all safer. Idiots!!!!

As for re-educating drivers. Yes of course, but not that 40 means 40. They need to be taught hazzard avoidance, judging oncoming traffic speeds and generally how to be a defensive driver. We need to have more traffic cops on the streets actually looking for unsafe drivers, not mindlessly checking 40mph speed limits on dual-carrigeways.

 

[uumode]

I am certainly NOT defending revenue collector type installations, I am merely saying we (drivers) must make a conscious decision to flout a particular law! Laws that are silly, should be removed because it is always the beginning of a slippery slope.

Likewise it is no excuse to say, "I did not see the sign"

Regards,
John

If speeders don't see the sign, or bright fluorescent speed camera,
then they probably won't see that small child either.

 

[anarchy-inc]

then they probably won't see that small child either.

Can you please explain what that has to do with speeding? That IMHO, is the typical kind of "guilt trip" comments that got us SPEED cameras in the first place.

Speed has nothing to do with how attentive you are. You are either a careful attentive driver or not.

 

[andy_k]

surely a "careful and attentive driver" would see those signs at the side of the road and think "hey I'm being careful and attentive so I'll abide by them that way I won't get any points on my licence".

Andy

 

[anarchy-inc]

surely a "careful and attentive driver" would see those signs at the side of the road and think "hey I'm being careful and attentive so I'll abide by them that way I won't get any points on my licence".

True, but what I'm getting at is the assumption allways seems to be that if you drive slower, you are more attentive. That's what I disagree with.