Driving and the speed limit

March 11, 2008, 1:15 PM

So one thing that annoys me a lot, is having a speed limit of 30 mph. It's far too slow. I know; you step out in front of a car that's doing 30 and you have an 80% chance of survival, whereas if the car is doing 40 you have only a 20% chance. But there's still that 20% chance you won't survive, which is quite high when you think about it. 1 in 5.
I often find myself doing somewhere from 50 - 60 in a 30 zone these days, and about 40 in a 20 zone. Number of people killed still stands at zero. At the end of the day, if you step out in front of a car regardless of how fast it's going, you're pretty thick and deserve what comes to you.
Same goes on motorways. The "recommended" speed is 70 - 80 mph. Again, far too slow. I just can't sit there at 70 behind some Ford Focus doing the same along the M6 in the left lane, when there's two other half-empty lanes for faster traffic. If the limit was intended to be kept to, why build lanes on motorways for faster moving cars? So I always end up in the outside lane pushing about 115 - 120. And then there's those people who pull out into that lane when you're flying along, making good time who are only doing about 85 and think they're really clever for deciding to put their foot down that little bit more and you nearly end up raping their car up the exhaust pipe.
Most of the problems with car accidents these days are not down to the "idiots" who don't follow the rules, it's the idiots who dp. You swerve to avoid a rabbit; you flip your car and cause a massive pile up when it would have been far easier to dash the thing on your radiator. We're taught to be far too careful in driving lessons, and that compromises the safety of others rather than making things better on the roads.

Or maybe I'm just one lucky fuck.

March 11, 2008, 1:20 PM

Hardly anyone does 30 ever, when I first got my scooter I remember sticking to the speed limit and I had this trail of cars behind me, so I speed up. Even if you wanted to stick to it, you can't sometimes. Aggressive bastards. On a busy road - like that one was, I think the limit should be 40

I think it's good in certain places, like built up areas....altho I think that's 20 isnt it, round schools and suchlike? I should know this really, with practicing for my theory

But yeah, in some areas I agree, just not all

It's not so much the speed limits that fuck me off, it's the goddam speed bumps

people doing 70 on a motorway seems abit slow aswel, just no one sticks to it at all

I wouldn't push your luck thio Pools, cast your mind back to a certain incident boyo & be careful

Edit* not that Im one to talk becasue I always sped on my scoot and never stuck to the limit, there is one stretch or road that I think is a 30 but becasue it was straight Id fly down it at 80

March 11, 2008, 1:25 PM

My friend recently got his drivers liscence and he couldn't be less like you if he tried. He drives 5 below the speed limit and stays it through the whole way, even on main roads and the like.

When I start driving, I reckon I'll be a bit like you, maybe a little less on the rabbit smooshing though

March 11, 2008, 1:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frisky

I think it's good in certain places, like built up areas....altho I think that's 20 isnt it, round schools and suchlike?

Around schools, it's 20. Which is understandable I suppose, but that should still only be at peak times when the kids are going in/out of school. No need to do 20 on a Saturday.

Quote:

I wouldn't push your luck thio Pools, cast your mind back to a certain incident boyo & be careful

That wasn't a speeding incident though.

March 11, 2008, 1:32 PM

I have a friend like that, strictly speed limit.......it's so boring. He couldnt be any less like captain slow if he tried

Im not saying it's a bd thing tho, I get people flying down my street at all speeds at all hours and there are alot of kids around

I just think theres a time and a place for it really.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

Around schools, it's 20. Which is understandable I suppose, but that should still only be at peak times when the kids are going in/out of school. No need to do 20 on a Saturday.

That wasn't a speeding incident though.

that would just add confusion

And your still a naughty boy and should learn to behave

March 11, 2008, 5:32 PM

Hrmm... Around here 30 MPH is usually in residential zones, which is understandable. On certain 30MPH roads I go less than the speed limit. Some roads around here are really hilly and have a lot of sharp turns, and curves. Oh god, it's worse when there is ice on the roads in the winter.

There are some roads around here where the speed limit is 30 or 40 that people tend to ignore. It's a straight road, cops are rarely on it so most people go 50 mph.

On 55 MPH highways almost all drivers go 5+ over the limit. I've even gone 70MPH and state troopers didn't even bother to pull me over. On this one highway which is 55MPH everyone goes 65-70MPH. The troopers are just there because there is always someone who's going over 70 MPH.

March 11, 2008, 6:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

So one thing that annoys me a lot, is having a speed limit of 30 mph. It's far too slow.

Depends on the area. Highways? Sure, that's pretty slow. School zones? Maybe a tad fast.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

I know; you step out in front of a car that's doing 30 and you have an 80% chance of survival, whereas if the car is doing 40 you have only a 20% chance. But there's still that 20% chance you won't survive, which is quite high when you think about it. 1 in 5.

I wasn't familiar with the statistics. haha
It's probably better to not take the chance and stay off the roads.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

I often find myself doing somewhere from 50 - 60 in a 30 zone these days, and about 40 in a 20 zone. Number of people killed still stands at zero.

Driving foolishly won't always bite you in the ass. A day may come where a small child runs into the street. Excessive speeds such as those will make it extremely difficult to stop in time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

At the end of the day, if you step out in front of a car regardless of how fast it's going, you're pretty thick and deserve what comes to you.

I'm inclined to agree, but I doubt you'd want someone's life on your conscience. Your own well-being may be worth considering as well--not just the pedestrians'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

If the limit was intended to be kept to, why build lanes on motorways for faster moving cars?

That's a pretty good question, actually. Generally, I think it's assumed that you may stray 10 or so MPH over the speed limit while in a lane designated for faster moving traffic. Some sort of un-written rule. 120 MPH, though? You sure do motor, sir. haha

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

And then there's those people who pull out into that lane when you're flying along, making good time who are only doing about 85 and think they're really clever for deciding to put their foot down that little bit more and you nearly end up raping their car up the exhaust pipe.

I hate it when slow-moving cars move into the passing lane. You never know when they're gonna make their move into your path. A good reason to travel at a...slightly slower speed. Reduces the chances of "raping" the other vehicle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

Most of the problems with car accidents these days are not down to the "idiots" who don't follow the rules, it's the idiots who dp. You swerve to avoid a rabbit; you flip your car and cause a massive pile up when it would have been far easier to dash the thing on your radiator.

While it's true that many people make foolish decisions on the road along the lines of what you described above, a great deal of accidents occur because motorists do not obey the "rules of the road." Speeding, tail-gating, running traffic lights, ignoring road markings/signs, etc. Drivers allow themselves to be too distracted while driving as well. Whether they're applying make-up, shaving, or talking on their cell phone, people just don't pay enough attention while they drive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

We're taught to be far too careful in driving lessons, and that compromises the safety of others rather than making things better on the roads.

So...we're better off if we loosen up and go about driving care-free? I'll stick with defensive driving. Being careful and alert is the best way to keep yourself alive on the roads.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

Or maybe I'm just one lucky fuck.

I'd keep that possibility open. haha

March 11, 2008, 6:13 PM

All good points there, but when you look at it; there's a hell of a lot of people who drive carelessly in some way, usually speeding. You can guarantee that if you walk out the door, you'll see someone speeding. And out of all those people, how many accidents are there? On average it's something like 200 per year per city, I think. That's not a lot really, just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Another point, is why should police and other emergency vehicles have the "privilege" of being able to deflout speed limits? If it's oh-so dangerous to do so, they should have to set an example regardless of whether they're on a the job and in a hurry to get to a burning house or whatever. There's still that chance that they may hit someone. And loud sirens isn't an excuse for that really, because an engine makes enough noise to be heard from a long way off.

I do agree with the point about people who talk on their phone and such while driving, though. It's impossible to concentrate when you're doing something like that, and you're instantly something like 90% more likely to cause an accident.

March 11, 2008, 6:34 PM

I think that most road accidents are probably caused by reckless/drunk driving really. Don't hold me to that statement though because I don't know if it's a fact. But really, how often do people run infront of speeding cars anyway? It's not as if you can't hear them coming. Unless the person is a young child, or freak accidents like the sun was in someone's eyes.

There are lots of adverts aswell about the difference that 30mph and 40mph can have on someone's life. Like the 'This is the sound of a child being hit at 40mph' *crash* *silence..* 'This is the sound of a child being hit at 30mph' *crash* 'WAAAAAAAA!', and the one with that little english girl who is so annoying that I want to run her over with an army tank anyway. So okay, in school zones and residential areas (and roads that could pass as sections of the Nurburgring) I think it's a good idea to have speed limits, but it's just common sense really. People should be able to use their judgement, if there are lots of kids running around then only an idiot would drive really fast. Unfortunately though, there are a LOT of idiots going about, so we can't always rely on people to use their common sense which is why limits are put in place.

Saying that, I don't think that removing limits would make much of a difference. If they don't stop a lot of boy racer types from speeding now then what difference will they make when they're gone? Everyone else will (hopefully) be able to make good use of judgement and think 'Okay, lots of kids playing here, better slow down so I don't hit one'. But then there will always be a percentage of new drivers who would think 'WOOHOO NO LIMITSSS!! WIN!!' and speed around like there's no tomorrow. Like I said, the world is full of idiots. Bgaaah the easiest option would be to send them all away to live on an island, so that we don't have to make sacrifices for their stupidity. ¬_