IAM report

[Gareth]

1..Common sense does not seem to be something you can teach

Funny peculiar - I often say that common sense has to be taught!

Think about it; how often does something become obvious only after it has been pointed out?

[exportmanuk]

5..There is NO acceptable level of risk...if it is risky you dont do it...simples

following that logic..... do not drive a vehicle as that is a risk

and I should be consigned to the loony bin, I ride motorcycles

[zadocbrown]

Funny peculiar - I often say that common sense has to be taught!

Think about it; how often does something become obvious only after it has been pointed out?

It doesn't have to be taught, but it does need to be learnt. And some people need more help than others to learn effectively.

[IVORTHE DRIVER]

Its nice to know that ROG thinks I have logic! but I think I meant taking risks whilst driving,( which surely is not acceptable) not merely taking risks by driving....I think...oh hell, logics all screwed now

As for bike riders...well, all hope is lost anyway

[lyndon]

Just found this from the BRAKE website...no.7 in their 'pledge 2 drive safely' campaign:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7. Slow Down - the most important pledge for all drivers. I pledge to drive below limits, taking particular care at junctions, bends and in bad weather, avoiding overtaking, and slowing to 20mph or below around schools and homes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Putting myself forward for a public burning at the stake here, but here goes.
What parts of this pledge do people have a problem with?

I haven't yet digested the report, and would hesitate to say the Brake are wrong on the basis of the 'headline' summary. If we approach a report with that sort of mindset, are we just trying to use the report to support our prejudices? Is it the old case of 'Don't confuse me with the facts. My mind is made up.'?

[martine]

Just found this from the BRAKE website...no.7 in their 'pledge 2 drive safely' campaign:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7. Slow Down - the most important pledge for all drivers. I pledge to drive below limits, taking particular care at junctions, bends and in bad weather, avoiding overtaking, and slowing to 20mph or below around schools and homes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Putting myself forward for a public burning at the stake here, but here goes.
What parts of this pledge do people have a problem with?

Errr... well just taking pledge no 7 for a start: "drive below the limits"...."avoiding overtaking"...."slowing to 20mph...around schools and homes" (regardless of time of day, road situation, weather...what classes as 'home"?

It the emphasis on speed...speed...speed I dislike - as if reducing speed limits will be effective

[Gareth]

Interesting that they don't think drivers are competent to overtake.

[jont]

Interesting that they don't think drivers are competent to overtake.

I wonder if they extend that to not overtaking pushbikes and tractors. If not, I wonder where/why their line is drawn.

[ROG]

Its nice to know that ROG thinks I have logic! but I think I meant taking risks whilst driving,( which surely is not acceptable) not merely taking risks by driving....I think...oh hell, logics all screwed now

As for bike riders...well, all hope is lost anyway

It's SAFELY MANAGING THE RISKS whilst driving that is the key - see the book MIND DRIVING

[crr003]

It the emphasis on speed...speed...speed I dislike - as if reducing speed limits will be effective

Anybody seen this?

Brake Target-Zero

[Gromit37]

Ignoring the other important issues other than speed, I doubt that reducing speed limits will have a profound effect on those that already break the speed limits (in this instance I'm referring to red ringed limits, not the nsl areas). Unless there is regular enforcement, why do they think the culprits will take any notice?

The number of clear, open, well sighted roads (including some dual carriageways around near me) that have been reduced from 60mph, to 50 or even 40mph makes you wonder if any real thought goes into their imposition. Ultimately, people will simply lose respect for the posted limits. Once they become so low that most people feel they bear little relevance, more people will ignore them. Being on a 40mph DC, and seemingly being the only car sticking to the limit, with dozens flying by me, knowing that they aren't generally travelling too fast for the conditions... makes me wonder why I bother.

My suspicion is that the limits are part of a traffic management system designed to ease the flow of traffic at peak times.

[Gromit37]

It the emphasis on speed...speed...speed I dislike - as if reducing speed limits will be effective

Anybody seen this?

Brake Target-Zero

I think I'm going to be sick! Some kind of delusional utopian dream that reminds of the the human race in the film Wall-E.

[jont]

My suspicion is that the limits are part of a traffic management system designed to ease the flow of traffic at peak times.

Absolutely. I'm certain Bristol follows this approach with 50mph limits along virtually all of the (purpose built, dual carriageway) ring road - and similarly having traffic lights on major roundabouts which are probably necessary for 4 hours a day during the week and the rest of the time cause additional congestion and pollution. I don't understand why part time lights (or overnight flashing amber like in France) are more common.

[lyndon]

It the emphasis on speed...speed...speed I dislike - as if reducing speed limits will be effective

How do you know it won't?

[TripleS]

It the emphasis on speed...speed...speed I dislike - as if reducing speed limits will be effective

Anybody seen this?

Brake Target-Zero

I think I'm going to be sick! Some kind of delusional utopian dream that reminds of the the human race in the film Wall-E.

Yes, I've just skimmed through some of it. There is plenty of lunacy to choose from, but what about this:

"Maximum engine capacity is limited to within the maximum speed limit." What the hell does that mean? You can have an engine size not greater than 60 cc to align with a 60 mph speed limit?

They want zero deaths, zero injuries and zero emissions?

The people at Brake are stark staring bonkers.

Best wishes all,
Dave.