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Originally Posted by Steven1077

I think they need to look at increasing the speed limits on all roads, of course there will always be places where you need a low limit, but on the whole 30mph is just too slow, if it was 40mph I'd be much more inclined to stick to it, but 30mph feels like you're hardly moving.
On motorways I'd say 90mph rigidly enforced

No disagree, a lot of urban roads need to drop from 40 to 30 and more enforced 20's on estates.
Far too many people ignore 30 limits in towns.

Yes raise if sensible to do between towns, country, non urban. Lower if known horse areas.

I seriously get fed up being overtaken in 30 zones by someone doing over limit.

The likes of M6 toll could be easily raised now, majority people using it go over limit as it is, lol try doing 70 on it.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

It's not the cars.....it the reaction times of people that haven't changed.....in fact are worse as many are now reading emails and texting whilst driving..

I was going to add a comment in my first post about concentration and speed. I sense many drivers are now less involved in their driving, even at slower speeds, so have great reservations if we have increased speed without restrictions on use of in-car "gadgets", like banning use of phones as speed increases.

HighlandPete

[languidmandala]

I vote for higher speed limits if the car is driving itself, especially on the motorway.

[Steven1077]

Originally Posted by Brigand

No disagree, a lot of urban roads need to drop from 40 to 30 and more enforced 20's on estates.
Far too many people ignore 30 limits in towns.

Yes raise if sensible to do between towns, country, non urban. Lower if known horse areas.

I seriously get fed up being overtaken in 30 zones by someone doing over limit.

The likes of M6 toll could be easily raised now, majority people using it go over limit as it is, lol try doing 70 on it.

And I get seriously fed up with being stuck behind some numpty doing 25mph, why not get a man with a red flag back walking in front of you? People ignore the 30 limits because they are too low, yes there are some places that need to be 20 or 30 but the vast majority of main road should be 40

[Tengocity]

Given that the de facto speed limit is actually 80mph and around half of people are already going this speed then how would raising it, but enforcing it, lead to higher accidents?

One issue I suppose is that if you raised it to 80 or 90 but didn't enforce it then would all those who do 85-90 now start doing 95-100?

[HighlandPete]

I often question what drivers are thinking, when in restricted zones, say 30 mph...

I live in a village with a 30mph restriction, (60mph each side of the village), completely ignored by many and often see vehicles driving well over 40mph, many over 50mph. Police caught one at over 60mph.

We have over 5 junctions within 1/2 a mile, one farm track, shop entrance, two hotel entrances and a school.

There's a 20mph restriction at school times and I've been walking the pavement with the children, all in high-vis jackets, cars still go by at over 40mph.

While I see that mentality in drivers, I have no trust in simply moving to higher speed limits.

HighlandPete

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Given that the de facto speed limit is actually 80mph and around half of people are already going this speed then how would raising it, but enforcing it, lead to higher accidents?

One issue I suppose is that if you raised it to 80 or 90 but didn't enforce it then would all those who do 85-90 now start doing 95-100?

This is precisely what would happen. At the end of the day speed is something you get used to.

Want to feel like Ayrton Senna on UK roads again? Do some driving in the States to reset your 'fast'

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Steven1077

And I get seriously fed up with being stuck behind some numpty doing 25mph, why not get a man with a red flag back walking in front of you? People ignore the 30 limits because they are too low, yes there are some places that need to be 20 or 30 but the vast majority of main road should be 40

Would rather be behind someone doing 25 Than as you get in most towns people racing through at 40+.


If the road is suitable then yes 40, just not near housing unless barriers etc.

As has been mentioned too many knobs on phones texting, emails etc.

That and a lot of urban roads are crap, pot holes, not cleared in winters etc.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

I often question what drivers are thinking, when in restricted zones, say 30 mph...

I live in a village with a 30mph restriction, (60mph each side of the village), completely ignored by many and often see vehicles driving well over 40mph, many over 50mph. Police caught one at over 60mph.

We have over 5 junctions within 1/2 a mile, one farm track, shop entrance, two hotel entrances and a school.

There's a 20mph restriction at school times and I've been walking the pavement with the children, all in high-vis jackets, cars still go by at over 40mph.

While I see that mentality in drivers, I have no trust in simply moving to higher speed limits.

HighlandPete

Totally accept your village issue, that is not uncommon. However I am talking about a motorway speed limit. If better driving was better trained and better enforced then I think we would all be happier. So what signal does it send drivers if they see that the speed limit isn't enforced?

Surely by raising it and then enforcing it properly, then you may actually see driving laws adhered to.

[Hartside]

And also remember, hitting a pedestrian at 30mph you'll hurt them badly, hit them at 40mph you'll probably kill them, or seriously maim them. 30s there for a reason, 20mph even more so

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Originally Posted by Hartside

And also remember, hitting a pedestrian at 30mph you'll hurt them badly, hit them at 40mph you'll probably kill them, or seriously maim them. 30s there for a reason, 20mph even more so

+1

That and easier to brake take avoiding action etc.

[rich100]

why is it in Germany they are happy to have autobahns without speed limits?

Is it simply the fact that that they don't have the density of traffic that we have or is it that driving standards are generally better there?

Whilst I would like to experience it I have never driven on an autobahn so no real idea.

[G82Dude]

Originally Posted by Afy360

As an ex police constable, that's the guidelines we were given.

And I don't know of anyone ever being convicted under 80, from a traffic car or mobile speed camera.

Then you should know better! The law is absolute; it does not allow for a + 10% margin. The application is by those (formerly your good self) of that law. Driving at a recorded 71MPH (or 80) in a 70 limit is an offence (the law), but unlikely to be prosecuted (the application).

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Originally Posted by rich100

why is it in Germany they are happy to have autobahns without speed limits?

Is it simply the fact that that they don't have the density of traffic that we have or is it that driving standards are generally better there?

Whilst I would like to experience it I have never driven on an autobahn so no real idea.

On a whole, majority are decent drivers, a little snow and they get on with it, don't moan and country gets on with it.

Do not have the same number of low life oxygen thieves in noisy hatches.

The police do on spot fines and do not mess around.

Traffic density may come in to it, I just believe culture plays a lot, they do have loads accidents though.

Rules on HGV are very good and that helps a lot as well.

[F30AM]

My solution:
On 3 lane motorways: inside lane 70mph, middle lane 80mph, outside lane 90 mph.
On 2 lane motorways: inside lane 70mph, outside lane 80mph.
On 4 lane motorways: inside 70mph, lane 2 80mph, lane 3 90mph, outside lane no speed limit.
What a nightmare to police!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by rich100

why is it in Germany they are happy to have autobahns without speed limits?

Is it simply the fact that that they don't have the density of traffic that we have or is it that driving standards are generally better there?

Whilst I would like to experience it I have never driven on an autobahn so no real idea.

Can't really comment on driving standards, but I wouldn't say tat the autobahn a are particularly quiet across that much of the country. Much more two lane than three lane than I expected before I first drove there.

The eastern side is much quieter so on my annual trips to Poland I do get to enjoy some extended high speed cruising at least a couple of times a year.

[G82Dude]

Originally Posted by F30AM

My solution:
On 3 lane motorways: inside lane 70mph, middle lane 80mph, outside lane 90 mph.
On 2 lane motorways: inside lane 70mph, outside lane 80mph.
On 4 lane motorways: inside 70mph, lane 2 80mph, lane 3 90mph, outside lane no speed limit.
What a nightmare to police!

Is that before of after we manage to sort out the appaling lane discipline on motorways in this country? Good luck with that one!

[rich100]

Originally Posted by uke92dude

Is that before of after we manage to sort out the appaling lane discipline on motorways in this country? Good luck with that one!

Yes whole other problem that one.

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Originally Posted by uke92dude

Is that before of after we manage to sort out the appaling lane discipline on motorways in this country? Good luck with that one!

Lane discipline

[mynamesnotbob]

Originally Posted by Afy360

As an ex police constable, that's the guidelines we were given.

And I don't know of anyone ever being convicted under 80, from a traffic car or mobile speed camera.

Well Cumbria police will happily prosecute at 79, I still have the ticket notification to prove. My FIL was also done at 72 on the M4 by Thames Valley, clear road, no other restrictions...

[Afy360]

Originally Posted by uke92dude

Then you should know better! The law is absolute; it does not allow for a + 10% margin. The application is by those (formerly your good self) of that law. Driving at a recorded 71MPH (or 80) in a 70 limit is an offence (the law), but unlikely to be prosecuted (the application).

Agreed,

But I am referring to guidelines most forces adopt.

[G82Dude]

Originally Posted by Afy360

Agreed,

But I am referring to guidelines most forces adopt.

And we are pleased that you do!