Yet another ridiculous speed limit.

[enark]

30kph outside schools etc in Germany, well enforced and sensible.

surely lower speed limits in urban areas is good for all road users?

 

[GJH]

Most of the time I’m doing less than 20, which is easy as I drive an automatic, but there are times when you can drift up without realising it.

My car is manual but drives quite happily below 20 in 2nd

 

[PaulyP]

My car is manual but drives quite happily below 20 in 2nd

That’s my argument, it’s more efficient running at 30 in fourth gear, therefore causing more pollution, but I may be completely wrong.

 

[The Wino]

That’s my argument, it’s more efficient running at 30 in fourth gear, therefore causing more pollution, but I may be completely wrong.

It would depend on the engine revs. If the engine is running at it's most fuel efficient RPM I would have thought the slower the more economical as there's less drag from the air. ,(Drag is proportional to the speed squared)

 

[GJH]

That’s my argument, it’s more efficient running at 30 in fourth gear, therefore causing more pollution, but I may be completely wrong.

I have no idea about engine efficiency but guess that it differs between cars with different gear ratios.
I do regularly walk the same streets litter picking and can't say I have noticed any increase in pollution over the 30 years we have lived in this house.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[PaulyP]

I have no idea about engine efficiency but guess that it differs between cars with different gear ratios.
I do regularly walk the same streets litter picking and can't say I have noticed any increase in pollution over the 30 years we have lived in this house.

I just feel that if I’m doing a steady speed on cruise control it’s got to be more efficient than constantly changing speed.

 

[RetiredPope]

Have you tried using the speed limiter function? Typically I set mine to 22 for our 20 zone and it sits at that speed fine, unless I lift off the throttle due to an anticipated threat/issue.

 

[PaulyP]

Have you tried using the speed limiter function? Typically I set mine to 22 for our 20 zone and it sits at that speed fine, unless I lift off the throttle due to an anticipated threat/issue.

So I presume it stops you from accelerating past 22 ?
So if you need to accelerate out of danger you can’t !

 

[donkey]

So I presume it stops you from accelerating past 22 ?
So if you need to accelerate out of danger you can’t !

All the vehicles I have driven with adjustable speed limiters have had a kick-down facility, which enables emergency acceleration on demand.

Geoff

 

[donkey]

I have never been a fan of cruise control and much prefer speed limiter. Especially the type fitted to my Citroen Berlingo, because it knows what the speed limit is, I just tap a control twice and the speed limiter automatically sets to the speed limit in force, even operates in road works.
Getting back to my aversion to cruise control; you are traveling at 60mph and see brake lights ahead or some other potential hazard. If not on CC an experienced driver will automatically ease off the throttle, thereby bleeding off speed. If on CC, by the time you have assessed the possible hazard and you brain tells you to disengage the CC a second or so has elapsed.
So while you are deciding the best action to take, you are closing on the hazard at 88feet per second and still doing 60mph. Not a situation I want to put myself in.

Geoff

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[GJH]

I just feel that if I’m doing a steady speed on cruise control it’s got to be more efficient than constantly changing speed.

There is no constantly changing speed - except when having to stop to allow oncoming traffic through because of vehicles parked both sides. As mentioned, the car drives happily in 2nd.

 

[The Wino]

I have never been a fan of cruise control and much prefer speed limiter. Especially the type fitted to my Citroen Berlingo, because it knows what the speed limit is, I just tap a control twice and the speed limiter automatically sets to the speed limit in force, even operates in road works.
Getting back to my aversion to cruise control; you are traveling at 60mph and see brake lights ahead or some other potential hazard. If not on CC an experienced driver will automatically ease off the throttle, thereby bleeding off speed. If on CC, by the time you have assessed the possible hazard and you brain tells you to disengage the CC a second or so has elapsed.
So while you are deciding the best action to take, you are closing on the hazard at 88feet per second and still doing 60mph. Not a situation I want to put myself in.

Geoff

I think cruise is great we have it on both cars and the motorhome. It would be interesting to look at accident stats I suspect that the ones caught out driving into the back of other vehicles would be a similar percentage with and without it I think you very quickly get used to just touching the brake pedal to disengage it. If there was a significant effect the insurance companies would be on the case and there would be emphasis on it in the driving test.