I must confess that I'm as guilty as anyone regarding speeding on the motorway and dual carriageway but I always keep to the speed limit on A and minor roads.
Interestingly there are large sections of road here where there are no speed limits whatsoever. The only limit is on you and the motor you drive.
Not sure I quite understand what you mean in this context John? Me I looked after my vehicles checked the mechanics regularly, tyres and so on, I would avoid playing music so I could always hear the engine, in towns and villages I stuck to the limits but I would adapt to the conditions based on light, road surface, water oil etc. I spent long enough as a biker that I had to get to know the road but was never so stupid as to assume I was super skilled, I was and am an average driver prone to mistakes but I drive with that in mind, what else can anyone do?
Nothing wrong with exceeding the statutory speed limit in my books, as long as it is done in a responsible manner. It is ridiculous that the speed limit on an empty motorway is the same as when the motorway is packed bumper to bumper with lunatics driving home in the rush hour, worn out after a hard days work. Of course common sense also dictates that you should drive below the limit when conditions are not ideal. As I said earlier I have not driven in the UK for 20 years, think I would find it very frustrating these days.
I am sorry but this is complete claptrap. I think you will find that the police take a dim view of anyone who speeds in the UK as they see the results of accidents caused by driving too fast. I am a professional driver i.e. it is my profession these days. I see so many lunatic car drivers and the occasional idiot HGV driver too. Anyone who speeds is not responsible.
Have we got the limits right in the UK? Are there better ways of applying a limit system. Other countries differ from our own existing regulations. Are we out of step or are they? Its all very well saying the police take a dim view etc but thats here in the UK with our interpretation of whats best. Like I say, for example, here in the IOM there are no speed limits where a limit isnt specified.
It’s the road-racing capital of the world, brimful with enthusiasts who just love their cars and motorcycles. There are no speed limits at all on some of the stretches of road, and not a speed camera in sight on the others. How could the Isle of Man not feature in any shortlist of Great British Drives? Add to this heady mix, scenery so stunning that it looks as though someone stole the best bits of Dartmoor, Cornwall, Devon and Scotland and – surely – the most rip-roaring driving roads the British Isles has to offer, and it would almost be indecent for anyone with an interest in road trips not to drop by. The island is 33 miles long and 13.5 miles wide, and can be reached by ferry in under three hours. Or you can fly – as I did – from London in just over an hour, clutching your crash helmet as cabin luggage, picking up a rental motorcycle near the airport (cars are available too). The Isle of Man is best known, of course, for its famous race, the annual Tourist Trophy, or “TT”. Every summer this event attracts so many fans that the island’s population of 84,000 is almost doubled." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destination/uk/84174/Great-British-drives-Isle-of-Man.html
Probably true to say the IOM has had its share of road fatalities too John due to its reputation that sometimes lures the amateur motor cyclist and motorist to their death
If the authorities were truly interested in encouraging adherence to speed limits, then something else should exist, instead of speed cameras? The speed camera is only capturing offenders whilst still allowing the offense to happen, whilst also making revenue. I've no idea how there can be a true justification for the use of hidden cameras? You don't need to be speeding to have an accident. I was once pushed into the hard shoulder by a lorry on the M25 at about 40mph during the day. Having reported it to the police at the time and taken a photo of the lorry, which didn't stop! They simply asked had i managed to obtain any witness statements? Err the motorway shoulder is a dangerous place to be and who would really have stopped and help give a witness statement? The police couldn't even be bothered to check the motorway CCTV records ... The police did eventually track the UK lorry and the driver (using the photo i had taken), naturally driver denied anything happened! Either the driver fell asleep at the wheel or was on the phone? I was informed by the police that without independent witnesses, they couldn't do anything...... IF i had a photo of the collision when it happened, then the photo would have been accepted as evidence and the outcome would have been different. The outcome was a new rear wing of the car being paid for by my own insurance, loss of no claims and increased premiums..... On the subject of speeding, the police are issued guidance cards, which advises them at what speeds they can use discretion and which would result in secured penalties and prosecution.
There are 2 natural speed reduction measures in the UK, which may have come from the Philippines? Pot Holes, Congestion and no road markings... The UK is still yet to try the other philippine policy of implementing traffic control by turning off the traffic lights?
Pointed out some potholes to the Mrs the other day, I said it should make you feel at home In fairness a lot of them are due to the exceptionally cold and snowy winter we had two or three years back, councils either do not have the money or the inclination to repair them.
True. The TT races themselves are a chief culprit. But I was trying to make the point that we havent necessarily got our limits right in the UK for the police to jump up and down about. Or have we?
I think the limit of 70mph should be raised to 80mph on low casualty stretches of motorway, they can always trail it to begin with to see if there is an increase in accidents and so on.
The law can be an ass at times though. You obviously dont live in the Isle of Man. The point is that there are other perspectives than the UK perspective. And we all know that as we drive down the motorway at 80 in the UK that there is a stream of cars zipping past. We seem to want to ignore that.
Yes. But some think 7o is fine as it is. Speed limit debates can be soooo daft at times. Everybody has a different opinion on them. Should just flip a coin on it.
