Speeding

[GrandOldTeam]

Did a course a few months back.

From 30 on the course, average age was mid 50s and the intelligence of people on the course terrified me. The amount of people who didn't know the most basic of questions like speed limit on dual carriageways etc.

 

[ClausThomsen]

The trouble with arguing about a grey area - 32 in a 30 zone etc, is where do you draw the line? 33, 34, 39...it's always only 1 mph more than the one before. The limit's there for a reason and you're either over it or not. If you find yourself often creeping over the limit then there's maybe a chance you need to look at how much time you're giving yourself planning your journey or address your lack of concentration. There are much worse practices than relatively safe minor speeding that go totally unchallenged with the current speed camera emphasis.

Is there a reason they don't have unmarked cars just driving round with a camera? They could follow someone for a while gathering evidence of poor or unsafe driving and then pull them or ticket through the post with a list of poor practise. It'd be a lot more effective and pro-active than simply clocking 32mph drivers on empty roads and help raise awareness of much more dangerous offences. Surely it'd pay for itself a few times over even with a passenger giving voice commentary on the driver ahead?

I've been pulled once for allegedly doing 31 in a 30 zone on a virtually empty main road. I know I wasn't doing 31 as it was tipping down with poor visibility so I was driving fairly conservatively and I'd been hitting red light after red light. It was New Years Day and obviously a bored copper hoping for an easy over the drink limit pull using a fake speeding accusation as an excuse to breathalyse. No alcohol whatsoever in my system and afterwards when I set off again the bizzy absolutely tore past me doing about 40 with no blue lights or siren on trying to beat the next red light...he didn't (amber turning to red as he went past) but went through anyway.

 

[ClausThomsen]

Did a course a few months back.

From 30 on the course, average age was mid 50s and the intelligence of people on the course terrified me. The amount of people who didn't know the most basic of questions like speed limit on dual carriageways etc.

It's crazy. Passing a test at 17 means you're still fine to drive 30 or 40 years later regardless of how much you've forgot or what has changed. Is there a legitimate reason for not having mandatory retests beyond deluded feelings of inalienable rights being violated?

 

[roydo]

Did a course a few months back.

From 30 on the course, average age was mid 50s and the intelligence of people on the course terrified me. The amount of people who didn't know the most basic of questions like speed limit on dual carriageways etc.

Still 80? Cool.

 

[Tree13]

Did a course a few months back.

From 30 on the course, average age was mid 50s and the intelligence of people on the course terrified me. The amount of people who didn't know the most basic of questions like speed limit on dual carriageways etc.

My experience of these courses was exactly the same. That's why it boils my urine to hear people mindlessly repeating the "speed kills, speed kills" mantra - it is poorly-skilled driving that is the problem. Doing 110mph on the M4 at 3am isn't going to kill anyone.

 

[scratchnsurf]

Won't be an issue in 15 years. When you want a car you'll order it on your phone, it'll turn up outside your house and drive you where you want to go whilst you snooze, read a book, do some work etc.

I like driving but actually can't wait til this is reality, especially with the 7 hour round trip to Goodison. God knows how local councils will operate though, seeing as their primary sources of income are parking and speeding fines.

 

[BigBlueConk]

The big chief in charge wants speeding laws tweaked to be more punishing.
Inspector jobsworth ( dont know his name )wants less speed awareness courses and more points and fines.

He also wants to abolish the 10% buffer in order to punish drivers going even just 1 mph over the limit. I agree with this in school zones and hospital areas etc. But not on the motorway.

Less courses equals less outlay while more points/fine means more income.

Sounds like a money making scheme

The police should just follow him because I bet he goes more than 1 mph over on occasion.

 

[Bungle]

I try and generally stick to 70mph when passing schools, survival of the fittest and the kids that make it get a great sense of achievement.

 

[daza_1973]

They recently changed the dual carriage way near me to 50mph average speed - its quite surreal driving down it now with everyone doing just under 50 and no cars venturing into the overtaking lane - its essentially become a single carriageway and I swear grass and weeds are starting to grow in the fast lane.

 

[PhilM]

Sounds like a money making scheme

Far from it. Previously, speed awareness courses would generate revenue for the hosting force as they were able to use the money for policing.

Whereas fines on the other hand would go straight to the public coffers, therefore the force wouldn't see a penny - hence why courses were 'good'.

However, like with speed cameras, the government seeing an extra line of revenue decided to bring the income under their own umbrella.

Every wondered why so many speed cameras are no longer in use? Simply, the force had to spend large amounts of money to maintain them...

...yet actually got no revenue. Speed awareness will ultimately go the same way. It's not a money making issue, but rather one of money saving.

 

[the golden visionary]

Things that are more dangerous than speeding.

Indecision
No indication
Not giving way to the right
Not looking at the road. (Phone)
Slamming on because you see a blue light a mile away.
My personal favourite... people who stop on a main road to let someone out. Unless your gonna turn into the road they're coming out of, then it's fair enough

 

[the golden visionary]

Far from it. Previously, speed awareness courses would generate revenue for the hosting force as they were able to use the money for policing.

Whereas fines on the other hand would go straight to the public coffers, therefore the force wouldn't see a penny - hence why courses were 'good'.

However, like with speed cameras, the government seeing an extra line of revenue decided to bring the income under their own umbrella.

Every wondered why so many speed cameras are no longer in use? Simply, the force had to spend large amounts of money to maintain them...

...yet actually got no revenue. Speed awareness will ultimately go the same way. It's not a money making issue, but rather one of money saving.

You know more about it than me mate. From the outside it looks that way

 

[Jeff Jones]

Whenever I've been driving on motorways in Britain hardly anyone drives at the speed limit, which I think is 70mph.
Driving on the M6 and M74 I got up to 96mph and I was just going with the traffic flow. Sounds silly, I know, but it's true.

I hate driving here in Australia because of the speeders and lane changers and as much as anything the idiots who drive
below the speed limit when conditions are good. We also have to deal with stupid, selfish drivers who speed up when you're trying to merge.

I'll be driving around Britain for a month next Summer and I find driving there much easier than here. I think your drivers
are much more considerate.

Mind you, reading this thread makes it a bit of a worry.

 

[big bobs beard]

I drive an Audi and have never been snapped so that backs up your suspicion. I always try not to categorise my driving as someone will undoubtedly take me to task for it, but all I will say is that driving has played a massive part of my working life driving countless thousands of miles, so armed with the knowledge my mortgage payments depended on me having an income, I have driven sensibly, if not perfectly.
As they say in such circumstances, it is an occupational hazard.

Yes sorry for the generalisation- but you know the drivers I mean. Don't know how they stay on the roads!

 

[tommytowne]

Yes sorry for the generalisation- but you know the drivers I mean. Don't know how they stay on the roads!

No apologies necessary. An emotive subject is driving. There is not one person who is perfect least of all me, so I keep my gob shut and try not to be critical of other drivers.