Yet another ridiculous speed limit.

[Yorick]

If you can't drive at 20 mph without moaning about it on the internet, you shouldn't be allowed to have a license.

It's 30 KPH here around towns. Every body does it without moaning.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

The drivers that really annoy me are the ones who drive at 40mph in a 60mph zone then go into a 30mph zone and continue to drive at 40mph

 

[Yorick]

In fact, stupid speed limits mean that motorists cannot use cruise control, ((the number one safety device in a car

Call me old fashioned, but I think the number one safety device are the brakes. But maybe you know best

 

[pappajohn]

Speed limit should be 50mph in villages and towns.
That way the numpties who text, facebook and twatter without looking before crossing the road most likely won't get a second chance to look at their phones.

 

[Yorick]

Speed limit should be 50mph in villages and towns.
That way the numpties who text, facebook and twatter without looking before crossing the road most likely won't get a second chance to look at their phones.

Yeah. They'd be too busy pulling dead kids and pedestrians from under their cars.

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[pappajohn]

Yeah. They'd be too busy pulling dead kids and pedestrians from under their cars.

Nah....just leave them, eventually they'll wear down and pop out the back

 

[Paul and Val]

Call me old fashioned, but I think the number one safety device are the brakes. But maybe you know best

No, sorry. We are both wrong actually. I over egged the pudding.
The No 1 safety device is a combination of road awareness and driving to the road conditions. The time that it takes for a driver to move their foot from the accelerator to the brake is many metres of travel without even looking at how far a driver travels while glancing at the speedometer. Keeping your foot over the brake while on cruise control is far faster and allows the all important brakes to be used far more efficiently.
The second most important driver aid is setting and being willing to change the cruise control, down, up of to switch off as required.
I have read that a driver looks at the speedometer 12 times in the approach to a speed camera and five times as they leave the area.
On cruise control you can look out for children instead.
By the way, I do know best! Have a nice evening.

 

[Yorick]

No, sorry. We are both wrong actually. I over egged the pudding.
The No 1 safety device is a combination of road awareness and driving to the road conditions. The time that it takes for a driver to move their foot from the accelerator to the brake is many metres of travel without even looking at how far a driver travels while glancing at the speedometer. Keeping your foot over the brake while on cruise control is far faster and allows the all important brakes to be used far more efficiently.
The second most important driver aid is setting and being willing to change the cruise control, down, up of to switch off as required.
I have read that a driver looks at the speedometer 12 times in the approach to a speed camera and five times as they leave the area.
On cruise control you can look out for children instead.
By the way, I do know best! Have a nice evening.

So before cruise control, everybody died. Cool

None of my motorcycles have cruise control. I'm gonna sell them all tmrw

Do buses have cruise control ? HTF do the drivers manage without killing everybody ?

Do police cars and ambulances and fire engines have it ? Well, they should all be banned for being child killers

 

[Yorick]

Cruise control offers a convenience for drivers on long stretches of road. For those traveling great distances over highways, cruise control can take away the tiring process of holding your foot on the gas pedal. It can even keep you from speeding, so long as you set your speed to within the posted limit.
However, cruise control does have drawbacks. Relying on it solely can create a hazardous situation, and it is not suited for all road conditions. To avoid accident, it’s best to know when you should and shouldn’t use cruise control, as well as how to keep safe.

When Shouldn’t You Use Cruise Control?​

Cruise control can be helpful, but drivers should use it only under certain specific road conditions; relying on cruise control for anything other than an open, clear, and long span of road will both reduce its effectiveness and increase your chances of an accident. Some conditions you shouldn’t use cruise control in are:

• Wet and Slippery Roads – any time there is rain, snow, ice, or hail, roads become hazardous for all drivers. Driving at a reasonable speed and adjusting accordingly are necessary for safe maneuvering of your vehicle. Using cruise control over slippery road conditions increases the risk of hydroplaning. If you are using cruise control and approach slippery conditions, be sure to ease your speed down instead of immediately cutting off cruise control to avoid a sudden shift in speed.
• High Traffic Conditions – cruise control is not suited for low speeds, making it not suited for slow-moving traffic. When the road conditions require you to start and stop, such as heavy traffic, cruise control may cause you to rear-end another vehicle.
• Hills and Winding Roads – when driving around bends and curves, you must slow down and adjust your speed to make the turn safely. Hills also require slowing your speed when heading downhill. Cruise control prevents quick control of your speed, which is hazardous on winding roads.

Before deciding to use cruise control, make sure the roadway conditions allow for safe use, so that you can avoid any potential accidents.

Staying Safe While Using Cruise Control​

If you have deemed road conditions suitable to cruise control and decide to use it, you still have a responsibility to pay attention to the road. Some people feel as though cruise control works like an autopilot, leaving them free to do as they like. This is not the case, and a lack of attention can lead to accidents.
Before driving, familiarize yourself with your cruise control’s operations. Beyond turning it on, learn how to turn it off. Some cruise controls use the same button to stop as to start, and other have separate controls.
Reach a safe speed before activating cruise control. Many vehicles will not even enter cruise control if the speed is too low. Build up to your speed within the speed limit, and only use the adjustment controls to make necessary adjustments within that speed. Cruise control is most effective between 55 and 70 mph and can keep your vehicle efficient and save gas.
Be sure to remain alert to the road. Even in ideal conditions, other vehicles may drive near you or make mistakes. Using cruise control makes it more likely for you to become drowsy, so it’s important to observe traffic and road conditions so that you can react as necessary.
Cruise control isn’t inherently dangerous, but it can be if drivers use it incorrectly. Using cruise control in improper conditions or not paying attention can lead to accidents and damages. If you are in a car crash, regardless of whether you are using cruise control, consulting an attorney can help you understand your legal options.

 

[Paul and Val]

If you can't drive at 20 mph without moaning about it on the internet, you shouldn't be allowed to have a license.

It's 30 KPH here around towns. Every body does it without moaning.

I always love your posts Yorrick.
100 % opposition to any post no matter the subject and never a positive comment or original idea. To be so right all the time must be wonderful and you have my congratulations. I absolutely envy you.
By 'moaning' I presume that you mean any opinion that you don't agree with. I prefer a word you may have heard of, 'debate.' It is where people interested in discussion meet to discuss things, not always agreeing, but giving agreement when deserved and certainly not always opposing all the time for the sake of it. However, lucid opposing views are always welcomed here.
For the record I am sure that you have the ability to drive at 20mph, as I do (and far slower when necessary). The question is, do you have the common sense to understand where it is safe to drive fast and where it is better to drive slowly. That is the question?
You have chosen a motorcyclist banked over at what looks like high speed as your picture.
Certainly, I have never seen a motorcyclist riding too fast, overtaking on solid white lines or otherwise riding badly, or with a very loud exhaust that wakes everybody up, or a tiny rear numberplate so small that when one of your (rare) maniac motorcyclists rip a car mirror off, it is impossible to read their number plate. I think it fair to say that motorcyclists are always perfect riders.
Respect where credit is due.
Maybe you are correct after all.
Just to confirm on the record that I am very happy to drive at slow speeds when it is needed due to weather or road conditions.
Safe driving my friends and even more so, safe riding to all our maniac motorcycle friends!
Have a great evening. The weather is going to be good again tomorrow.
Paul

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[Paul and Val]

So before cruise control, everybody died. Cool

Is that really the best argument you have?
Maybe next time read the actual post before reacting against it my friend.
Nobody and certainly not myself said it was impossible to drive safely without cruise control, just that cruise control is a major contribution to road safety.
You need exactly the same concentration when on cruise as you do when it is not fitted but it is every bit as easy to change or adjust or stop a cruise control speed as it is to use the accelerator.
For once, have an open mind.
Benjamin Disraeli said "the sole purpose of an opposition is to oppose". I have never felt that any statement was so untrue.
Oppose where you disagree but have an open mind my friend. When required oppose but don't please oppose for the sake of it even if you have had a bad evening. Maybe the exhaust on your motorcycle has given you a headache?
Have a nice evening.
Paul

 

[Paul and Val]

Can I just say that I fear that we are getting orrrfffff topic and it is partly my fault as well. Let's forget the so-called debate about cruise control and instead continue to discuss ridiculous speed limits, a far more worthy discussion point.
I stand corrected!
Its going to be sunny tomorrow. All is right with the world.
Paul

 

[gpat]

Speed limit? What's that?

 

[cmcardle75]

Perhaps we should have a man walk in front of each vehicle with a red flag. That should do the trick.

 

[Nigel P]

Caldicot: Two new 20mph speed limits face axe after three months

Two stretches of road in Monmouthshire could revert to 30mph after complaints from residents.

www.bbc.com

At least there are some people with common sense. See above.

Of course, there will always be people (hereafter referred to as 'the fools') who misguidedly believe that ridiculously slow speeds are always better.
In fact, stupid speed limits mean that motorists cannot use cruise control, (the number one safety device in a car as the driver can vary or stop the car in an instant without having to spend the time looking at the speedo meter), gives out far more emissions and causes frustration and aggression without even mentioning the extra time wasted.

Above you will see the debate that while it is absolutely correct that some (a few) speed limits are too high, for instance outside schools, many are far, far too low.
If only councils and especially the traffic Police would concentrate on bad driving rather than fast driving. The two are far removed from each other.
I hope that the flat cap brigade will take part in the discussion as well.
Let me finish on this single thought. Speed, even high speed, does not necessarily equate to dangerous driving. There are as many terrible drivers who drive too slowly as those that drive too fast.
Discuss! And have a nice evening.
Paul

Whilst I agree that driving fast and driving dangerously are not necessarily the same, rules come about to cater for the least able, bit like pitching lessons in mixed ability classrooms. The general standard of driving in the UK is not great, although individually people think they are brilliant! The considerations for lower speed limits, especially in urban areas, have some basis in science, an average car travelling at 30 mph carries around twice the kinetic energy of one travelling at 20 mph. If drivers could historically show that they can be relied upon to drive quickly, safely there would be little reason to intervene. Sadly the stats speak for themselves, one of the leading factors in collisons is 'failing to look properly', the faster the travel the less information is processed by the driver, leading to less awareness of scenarios. Poor analysis leads to poor decision making and when it goes wrong the outcomes are often very much a function of speed.

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[DDJC]

Caldicot: Two new 20mph speed limits face axe after three months

Two stretches of road in Monmouthshire could revert to 30mph after complaints from residents.

www.bbc.com

At least there are some people with common sense. See above.

Of course, there will always be people (hereafter referred to as 'the fools') who misguidedly believe that ridiculously slow speeds are always better.
In fact, stupid speed limits mean that motorists cannot use cruise control, (the number one safety device in a car as the driver can vary or stop the car in an instant without having to spend the time looking at the speedo meter), gives out far more emissions and causes frustration and aggression without even mentioning the extra time wasted.

Above you will see the debate that while it is absolutely correct that some (a few) speed limits are too high, for instance outside schools, many are far, far too low.
If only councils and especially the traffic Police would concentrate on bad driving rather than fast driving. The two are far removed from each other.
I hope that the flat cap brigade will take part in the discussion as well.
Let me finish on this single thought. Speed, even high speed, does not necessarily equate to dangerous driving. There are as many terrible drivers who drive too slowly as those that drive too fast.
Discuss! And have a nice evening.
Paul

I would agree that bad driving is a more significant factor than speed. However the severity of the impact to the cyclist or pedestrian is usually proportionate to the speed of the impact.

at 40 mph there is a 90 percent chance they will be killed.
at 35 mph there is a 50 percent chance they will be killed.
at 30 mph there is a 20 percent chance they will be killed.
at 20 mph there is a 2.5 percent chance they will be killed.

Any person who considers themselves a good and responsible driver cannot fail to see that driving more slowly where there is an increased risk of runout, stumbling, horseplay or bike rider mistake, will lead to fewer fatalities. It is not up for debate, it's fact. Even the best of drivers cannot swerve a child as it runs out into the road, right in front of them.

I'd even go further and say that not accepting this very obvious premise marks someone down as a very bad driver.

Bad driving can be fixed by a massive re-testing programme and regular re-tests, and I would totally support this. But I also totally support a 20mph speed limit near schools, care homes and residential roads.

But there needs some sensible local balance. The road I live on is an A road. It's only really busy during rush hour (we can back the motorhome out, without a problem before eight or after nine), but although it is resi, it as a main route. So it should be 30mph.... Except two hundred yards up the roads is a primary school, so that section should be 20mph. In addition, I do firmly believe, that road and weather conditions permitting, you should drive to the speed limit, if you feel safe to do so. Meandering lulu lala Sunday drivers need retesting and taken off the road.

I also absolutely hate middle laners, even more so if they are doing 60. Move over you muppet. And don't get me started on roundabout indication.

I don't agree about cruise control at slow speeds. I use it on motorways only. I believe that with your feet off the pedals, you have detached part of your driving practice. At 30mph, I am always on the pedals, to keep my entire focus on what I am doing.

Do I exceed the speed limit? Occasionally yes, but not intentionally. If I look down in the car and see the needle touching 40, I flick the retarder paddles (I have a hybrid). I never speed the MH. So far, I've never had points, or even been stopped.

Finally, the issue of speed limit signs. If a driver is an ar$ehole and believes that they are a great driver and safe doing 40 in a 30 zone, then perhaps, just perhaps, the 20mph sign might knock them down to 30 or even 25. Which means that the person they knock down, will likely not need a wheelchair or worse, a box.

 

[The Wino]

We're just back from a couple of thousand miles around France almost all without tolls. I think about half the villages have some 30 kph limits usually with pretty severe speed humps. Was I stressed no. Did it slow me down a lot taking into account the journey as a whole maybe a little not enough to worry about. Was it ridiculous I don't think so and as a visiter to their towns and villages how ignorant would I be to complain as they live there I'm just passing through.
What is it with people who get behind a wheel and suddenly life has to be lived as fast as possible?

 

[David and Sally]

We were on the Gower last week. Took our scooter which doesn’t have the most sympathetic suspension. Many roads were 20 mph but that was a pointless limit as the potholes made even 20 mph a proper pain

 

[Pusscat]

We live down a winding single track lane which is a 60 limit…comes off a main ‘a’ road which is 40…go figure. Idiots tear along it presumably because they stupidly believe 60 is an aspirational speed.

One of my chickens escaped and there was a loud ‘pop’ as it was run over by a 4x4 before I could get to it. ‘I feel so sick…I thought it would move…’ said the middle aged stupid bi*ch driving. She offered me money, I declined and asked her to drive slower and appropriate to the conditions…At least she actually stopped.

when the neighbours 6 month old kitten was squashed in front of it’s young owner, again, oxygen wasters going too fast for the conditions, we bought a load of ‘20 is plenty around people and animals’ signs and put them on bins and poles.

the result? Actually, it’s slowed down quite a few. We still have the odd local having to literally throw them selves into the road hedge to get out of the way of but quite a few drivers have woken up and drive more appropriately.

to be honest, I’m all for persistent speedsters in inappropriate conditions to be forced to go out with police and ambulance crews to traffic accidents and help with recovery, road cleanup and literally picking up pieces of victims. I don’t say that lightly.

 

[denisejoe]

I always love your posts Yorrick.
100 % opposition to any post no matter the subject and never a positive comment or original idea. To be so right all the time must be wonderful and you have my congratulations. I absolutely envy you.
By 'moaning' I presume that you mean any opinion that you don't agree with. I prefer a word you may have heard of, 'debate.' It is where people interested in discussion meet to discuss things, not always agreeing, but giving agreement when deserved and certainly not always opposing all the time for the sake of it. However, lucid opposing views are always welcomed here.
For the record I am sure that you have the ability to drive at 20mph, as I do (and far slower when necessary). The question is, do you have the common sense to understand where it is safe to drive fast and where it is better to drive slowly. That is the question?
You have chosen a motorcyclist banked over at what looks like high speed as your picture.
Certainly, I have never seen a motorcyclist riding too fast, overtaking on solid white lines or otherwise riding badly, or with a very loud exhaust that wakes everybody up, or a tiny rear numberplate so small that when one of your (rare) maniac motorcyclists rip a car mirror off, it is impossible to read their number plate. I think it fair to say that motorcyclists are always perfect riders.
Respect where credit is due.
Maybe you are correct after all.
Just to confirm on the record that I am very happy to drive at slow speeds when it is needed due to weather or road conditions.
Safe driving my friends and even more so, safe riding to all our maniac motorcycle friends!
Have a great evening. The weather is going to be good again tomorrow.
Paul

I think you will find that it is Yorick on the bike on a race track

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[63720]

Imo speed limits only control law abiding motorists, the reckless get away with it.

 

[DDJC]

Imo speed limits only control law abiding motorists, the reckless get away with it.

Agree, but if both have an accident, the law abiding motorist won't get hauled into court and get five years for death by dangerous driving.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

My car gives me an average speed for each journey. Around town it's often about 23mph. I suspect a slow bimble at 20mph will work out no slower than the hurry-and-wait I do now.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

[Snip] I hate traffic calming measures. [Snip]

Really handy for washing out the tanks though.

 

[houdini]

You'll probably be as surprised as I was to find out that the limits don't apply to cyclists unless there is a local limit. Cyclists could, though, be charged with careless or dangerous cycling.

That is interesting info. Are cyclists legally required to obey traffic lights do you know?

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[kevenh]

That is interesting info. Are cyclists legally required to obey traffic lights do you know?

Yes.
They can see the traffic lights
They don’t have a speedometer (unless added)

Also, they only need to legally have lights from sunset to sunrise. Related to not having lights (unless added) - I assume.

 

[maison]

We're just back from a couple of thousand miles around France almost all without tolls. I think about half the villages have some 30 kph limits usually with pretty severe speed humps. Was I stressed no. Did it slow me down a lot taking into account the journey as a whole maybe a little not enough to worry about. Was it ridiculous I don't think so and as a visiter to their towns and villages how ignorant would I be to complain as they live there I'm just passing through.
What is it with people who get behind a wheel and suddenly life has to be lived as fast as possible?

As someone who lived in France for 16 years I am very familiar with the 30kph speed limits through French villages. I agree with you that the time added to a journey is not great.

However, in the U.K. things, as usual, are taken to the extreme. the 20mph limit through Caldicot, on major routes, went on for 7 miles on a road designed to divert vehicles from the town centre.

In Wales there is also pressure being exerted to impose a blanket 40mph limit on all “minor” roads.

All local Authorities should have the responsibility for assessing their roads and instituting an appropriate speed limit. I fully support 20mph limits in areas of high risk, schools, busy high streets etc. but a blanket limit, no!

Here we are faced with a 20mph limit in all built up areas and, if it goes ahead, a 40mph limit on most roads outside built up areas. Modern cars are becoming safer as time progresses. Driverless vehicles will avoid the problem of driver inattention.

Yes, let us have lower speed limits where appropriate but blanket limits, no!

 

[busby]

Caldicot: Two new 20mph speed limits face axe after three months

Two stretches of road in Monmouthshire could revert to 30mph after complaints from residents.

www.bbc.com

At least there are some people with common sense. See above.

Of course, there will always be people (hereafter referred to as 'the fools') who misguidedly believe that ridiculously slow speeds are always better.
In fact, stupid speed limits mean that motorists cannot use cruise control, (the number one safety device in a car as the driver can vary or stop the car in an instant without having to spend the time looking at the speedo meter), gives out far more emissions and causes frustration and aggression without even mentioning the extra time wasted.

Above you will see the debate that while it is absolutely correct that some (a few) speed limits are too high, for instance outside schools, many are far, far too low.
If only councils and especially the traffic Police would concentrate on bad driving rather than fast driving. The two are far removed from each other.
I hope that the flat cap brigade will take part in the discussion as well.
Let me finish on this single thought. Speed, even high speed, does not necessarily equate to dangerous driving. There are as many terrible drivers who drive too slowly as those that drive too fast.
Discuss! And have a nice evening.
Paul

But the slow terrible drivers don't have such fatal accidents as fast terrible drivers..BUSBY.

 

[busby]

Call me old fashioned, but I think the number one safety device are the brakes. But maybe you know best

No 1 safety device to me has always been the steering wheel,,back in the 60s it was no good relying on brakes on trucks as they were useless,,,especially on trucks fitted with hydrervac Steering wheel was your friend....Still think the same,,BUSBY.

 

[Ejaydee]

It's 30 KPH here around towns. Every body does it without moaning.

Don't know about the islands, but on the mainland in Galicia, the locals used to make a point of increasing their speed when entering a restricted speed zone, not reducing it. I asked one spaniard why they all seemed to do that, and he said it was a hangover of the Franco years and when democracy returned, the Spanish make a point of putting up two fingers at "authority".

Things may well changed recently, but I lived there for three years and was gobsmacked at the carefree manner in which the average local treated the road restrictions (speed limits, traffic lights, road crossings (dangerous for the pedestrian), ignoring one way streets and no entries and triple parking on the roadside (never seen that anywhere else in the world)). You say they now do comply with restrictions without moaning, things must have changed dramatically if that is the same scenario throughout Spain, because the horn honking that used to go on as soon as the lights changed green (from the few motorists that did stop) was always deafening.

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