78mph limit

[kinboshi]

Dual speed limit for some motorways.  90mph (or more) when it's dry, 70mph (or maybe less) when it's wet.  Other motorways could have a lower limit if they aren't safe for 90mph+.

More 20mph zones in residential areas as well.

I mentioned this before to someone but when we discussed it we realised there would be grey areas. I think there needs to be one set limit for all weather, but agree that there are some roads where driving at 90mph seems reasonable. They'll never allow that though... well maybe in another 50 years when cars are more advanced.

France has different speed limits for different conditions.  Signs inform drivers whether the conditions dictate the dry or wet limit.  Just the same as variable speed limits on the M25 or M42.

Driving at 90mph on a clear motorway is perfectly safe.  Far safer than someone doing 40mph in a residential area.  Speed isn't dangerous.  Inappropriate speed is dangerous.

I disagree, I had a conversation with my aunt when I first started driving and was a bit of a girl racer. She is a paramedic and has lost count of the times she's been called out to an accident because of people driving fast and damaging their tyres or something (I can't remember the whole conversation but I can remember vaguely) and she told me that even though it may seem safe to drive at that speed, it really isn't.

I drive in excess of 90mph so I'm not one to preach, but to say driving at 90 on a clear motorway is PERFECTLY safe is wrong, in my opinion.

Poor maintenance, lack of concentration, using a phone, driving too close to the car in front, changing the CD, eating, drinking, smoking, etc.  They are all reasons for accidents, as well as inappropriate speed.  Unfortunately, you can't use speed cameras to catch anyone doing any of those - except for speeding.

Tyres don't just blow.  As for tyres not being suitable for high speeds.  The tyres on my car are suitable for speeds in excess of 170mph.  Properly maintained and inflated they aren't going to blow at 90mph.

There are many dangerous drivers on the roads.  But where do most road deaths occur?  On the motorway?  No.  They occur on local roads, often 30mph zones.   I think it's far safer for me to drive my car at 90mph on a motorway than it is for someone to drive at 40mph after a few drinks down the pub at lunchtime.  Far safer.

[tikay]

You are all missing the point here. More than ANYTHING else (weather, motorway, A-Road, traffic level, tyres, alcohol,da de da de da) it's the ability & common-sense of the DRIVER that is most important. The other Driver, that is.

[tantrum]

Drivers- how many of the drivers actually admit they are bad?

[tikay]

Drivers- how many of the drivers actually admit they are bad?

None. we ALL think we are good drivers. Few of us are.

[kinboshi]

You are all missing the point here. More than ANYTHING else (weather, motorway, A-Road, traffic level, tyres, alcohol,da de da de da) it's the ability & common-sense of the DRIVER that is most important. The other Driver, that is.

I agree.  But the focus of the media, the police, and many people is that speed is evil - hence this thread.

I'm all for making people take a test every 10 years.  Getting uninsured, unlicensed drivers off the road.  I can't remember the statistic, but the percentage of accidents where someone is killed or injured that involve an uninsured driver is very high - frighteningly high.

But I guess it's easier to focus on catching people speeding on a motorway.

[byronkincaid]

driving at 56 mph will reduce feul consumpution to the most efficent rate

poppycock

[tikay]

You are all missing the point here. More than ANYTHING else (weather, motorway, A-Road, traffic level, tyres, alcohol,da de da de da) it's the ability & common-sense of the DRIVER that is most important. The other Driver, that is.

I agree.  But the focus of the media, the police, and many people is that speed is evil - hence this thread.

I'm all for making people take a test every 10 years.  Getting uninsured, unlicensed drivers off the road.  I can't remember the statistic, but the percentage of accidents where someone is killed or injured that involve an uninsured driver is very high - frighteningly high.

But I guess it's easier to focus on catching people speeding on a motorway.

Yes they major on speed as the ultimate evil, which, up to a point, (12 points in my case) is correct I guess.

[kinboshi]

Drivers- how many of the drivers actually admit they are bad?

Most drivers are bad.  Compulsory tests on a periodic basis (maybe 5 years, 10 years?) would be a start.

The condition of many cars is frightening.  People who drive their cars with all the windows steamed up, or without clearing the ice off all the windows.  Or with bald tyres, worn brakes, and that's not even looking at the condition of the driver themselves.

[RED-DOG]

Drivers- how many of the drivers actually admit they are bad?

None. we ALL think we are good drivers. Few of us are.

I am!

[tantrum]

But then of course one can argue- if most of them are bad - the faster they drive the more bad the accidents will be.

I can see how on an empty motorway one can be allowed to go faster then usual, as if the driver will have an accident the only person they will kill is themselves, unless they have unfortunate passenger in their car.

[kinboshi]

But then of course one can argue- if most of them are bad - the faster they drive the more bad the accidents will be.

I can see how on an empty motorway one can be allowed to go faster then usual, as if the driver will have an accident the only person they will kill is themselves, unless they have unfortunate passenger in their car.

Drivers travelling at 70mph 20 yards behind the car in front, in driving rain, making a call on the mobile (not on hands free) is a far more dangerous driver than one travelling at 90mph on a clear road concentrating on what they're doing.  The problem is that the focus is on the pure speed.  70mph is seen as safe, 90mph is dangerous.  There's more to it than that.

The beauty of motorways is that there isn't oncoming traffic, pedestrians, etc.  Like you said, unless there is a passenger involved, or another vehicle, there is less likelihood of an accident endangering someone else. 

Pile-ups on a motorway aren't caused by speed. They are caused by inappropriate speed - either driving too close to the car in front, or though a lack of attention of changing conditions ahead.  Travelling at 70mph isn't going to stop these from happening.

[RED-DOG]

It's those buggers that drive at 100 mph, two feet in front of me that cause the problems!

[tantrum]

Kinboshi - you are right of course - but the problem is that if majority of drivers can't drive - increasing speed alowance will result in more serious incidents.

[kinboshi]

Kinboshi - you are right of course - but the problem is that if majority of drivers can't drive - increasing speed alowance will result in more serious incidents.

I think increasing it on motorways (but implementing more variable speed limits), and reducing it in many built-up areas is the way forward.

Oh, and punishing uninsured drivers (either simply having no insurance, or having no license, driving whilst banned, on drugs, drunk, etc.) rather than....banning them from driving!!  That's some deterrent.

[AndrewT]

You are all missing the point here. More than ANYTHING else (weather, motorway, A-Road, traffic level, tyres, alcohol,da de da de da) it's the ability & common-sense of the DRIVER that is most important. The other Driver, that is.

Of course we wouldn't have all these problems if people were to use some other form of transport for their journeys, eh Tikay?