Speeding not a taboo

mfin wrote:

Slowbike wrote:

The problem with speed limits is that they can be a bit arbitrary. Especially country roads where the limits fluctuate from 30-60. There'll be a reason behind it - the local council will have been approached and they'll look into it -then put the wheels in motion if they think it's a good idea - but the problem is, the limits are not subjective - they catch all - sun, rain, snow, ice/tyre type - the limit stays the same. School in, school out - the limit is static - so that 30 limit past the school is a good idea - and in some instances is still too fast - but at midnight when you're the only vehicle on the road - you could do more than 30 quite happily and not be a danger to anyone - not that you should, because there just might be someone there expecting you to be doing a max 30 - giving them time to cross the road, turn in/out of the junction or whatever.

Then there's the ever decreasing speed limits - a road that I've been traveling on for 30+ years has suddenly gone from de-limit to 40 ... along a huge stretch - granted, there are some junctions including the turn in for a private school - but there's no reason to limit it to 40 all the way through - I suspect it's a condition of a 40 - you can't do 40 for a short stretch, then up it to 60, then back down again - not allowed. So for the hour or so at the ends of each day when that stretch is busy and you can't do more than 40 - we'll limit the whole lot to 40 - no matter what conditions/time of day/week of the year.

It would be nice to allow drivers to use their common sense - but we know common sense isn't that common - everyone has a differing opinion on what is sensible anyway.

Quite frankly, I'm looking forward to driverless cars now anyway - there are too many inconsiderate drivers - either through a deliberate act or not paying attention. You read things like this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-42349454 and wonder just WHY ... and What can we do to ensure all the little monsters enjoy their next birthday?

Good post.

keef66 wrote:

Good point. I once nearly hit the car in front when a fast moving dual carriageway suddenly became a car park for reasons I never discovered. I braked so hard the ABS kicked in even though the road was bone dry, and I came to a stop about a foot from the car in front. The traffic then suddenly set off again, just as the multiple pile-up happened behind me, shunting me down the now empty road. Clearly a lot of other drivers either didn't have ABS, or hadn't spotted the slowing traffic as soon as I did. I think the car full of Thames Valley cops just to my left was one of the few who also avoided hitting the car in front; quite reassuring to see them all leap out, don hi-viz gear and start running around helping people exchange details and making sure nobody was hurt.
So you might have a brand new car with all the latest technology and the reflexes of Lewis Hamilton, but if the bloke behind you in the 1997 pickup with 3 dodgy tyres is playing Candy Crush on his phone, there's going to be a mismatch in stopping distances. Ditto recently qualified young drivers who are trying to impress their mates but who don't yet have the speed awareness or hazard perception necessary to drive safely.

Dinyull wrote:

Coopster the 1st wrote:

Dinyull wrote:

Slowbike wrote:

Perhaps retests should be phased in.

I think there's good evidence that after the age of retirement - you should have periodic checks - whilst it is your independence, you're not the best person to decide if you're safe to drive or not.
There's little you could argue about someone with points needing a check - I see no reason for not doing them - they've been caught for misdemeanors - so why not have a driving check?

A check doesn't have to be the same as a test - it could be as simple as a "lesson" from a registered driving instructor with guidance on what needs brushing up on. Keep it a positive experience. If someone is that bad then the DI can refer them to an examiner.

Would I want to be retested? No, of course not - but I know I've got some bad habits - but I may have some that I dont know about - and that's more dangerous.

Definitely!

I'm dreading my grandparents driving from the midlands to the north-east tomorrow because he probably shouldn't be on the road. And probably is being generous.

Then you have a responsibility...

How would you feel, knowing the above, if there was one less person around a Christmas table on Monday?

He's been told as have my parents who I'm pi$$ed at that they didn't book them a train.

Difficult to manage him when he's over 200 miles away.

TLW1 wrote:

Pain in the arris but much safer. Funny thing is it took us ages to convince them to stop driving but when they did they gave the car to my niece - which upset my dad as he had bought the car

squired wrote:

One of the biggest issues for me is eyesight. I've come across a few people in recent years who have terrible vision. Some wear glasses, but seem to think it is fine to drive without them. Some are too proud to get an eye test. In fact I was in the car with a good friend a couple of weeks ago who has a habit of going pretty fast. As we were driving along on a wet dark night (going 40 on a 30 road) he was telling me how his eyesight is so bad that when he was given a menu at a restaurant earlier that week he had to ask for a version with larger writing. Needless to say, I was glad when I got home! It did make me think though about how common that is.

We all know that people on the roads don't have the necessary skills, but how many are on the roads and acutally unable to see properly?

Mouth wrote:

Theoretically, a license holder can go through a period of around 48 years (test passed at 17 with a roadside sight test, that I can pass sans correction despite the DVLA telling me need specs until having a medical at 65) before having their eye sight rechecked. Surely that ain't right?

thistle (MBNW) wrote:

Slowbike wrote:

The problem with speed limits is that they can be a bit arbitrary. Especially country roads where the limits fluctuate from 30-60. There'll be a reason behind it - the local council will have been approached and they'll look into it.

I think there is a system and logic behind it, but I would expect local councils will always err on the cautious side.

Around here every non-trunk, A and B road which used to be national speed limit has had it cut, sometimes from national to 30 mph. The result seems to be people just driving out of side roads in front of you without looking.