Pigeonho
Well-Known Member
another generation said:Regarding the 70 mph speed limit on motorways and dual-carriage de-restricted roads:
It doesn't matter what decade the Highway Code dates from. The speed limit is there for a reason. Yes, today's cars are capable of speeds well in excess of 70 mph, but this doesn't mean that we should all be forced to drive that fast.
Think for one second about the amount of cars on the roads today, compared with the sixties. There are now so many vehicles on Britain's roads that the speed limit ought to be decreased, not increased. If all Britain's speed limit signs were suddenly read in kilometres, rather than miles per hour, there would be far less deaths from road traffic accidents. People would just have to allow slightly more time for their journeys.
Which brings me on to tailgating. It's bl**dy scary to have some maniac right up your boot, but you can't just pull over because everyone else in the inner lane is also driving nose-to-tail. And what about the inside lane? Oh, no, that's virtually empty, apart from the odd lorry here and there.
How many drivers actually use the overtaking lanes for overtaking? Very few. The vehicle-to-lane ratio has been completely reversed. And what does tailgating result in? Concertina-style braking and accelerating. One driver touches the brakes and the following drivers do so, too. Who actually keeps moving at a constant rate? Yep, it's our old pals in the inside lane, mooching along at something approaching the speed limit.
Grr. More people should take Advanced Driving lessons. You soon find out that driving much faster than the speed limit does not get you there much, if any, quicker. Drive faster, you spend more time braking, too. Where are the BM mathematicians to prove it?
Its not that the cars are capable of going much faster than in the 60's, its the fact the cars themselves are much, much safer. Its a law which is so out of date its not even funny. I drive at a steady 80-85 mph when on a nice long journey on the m/way. Its much safer to drive at that speed in my opinion.