If all speed limits were abolished tomorrow...

[exportmanuk]

If you picture a graph of speed vs distance, an absolute speed limit merely aims to cap the peaks of the trace. On a stretch of road there may be a straight where it's safe to pull three figures, followed by a bend where the limit point dictates a maximum speed of 25mph. It's the corner which people will take at 35mph (because it's under the limit, init) and fall off the road, but the straight where you'll find the speed camera. I can't be the only one who sees the irony of this...

Perhaps even more ironic aren't they called "safety cameras".[/quote]

Which add weight to the argument these are little to do with safety and more to do with revenue in many (most?) cases
I hate Gatso/Truvelo cameras because they only ever have an effect within their view area. Vehicle slow down on the approach ( even if they are not exceeding the speed limit) pass the camera then immediately return to their original speed. Just like they do for speed bumps. They contribute very little to safety they just move the problem on a little if there ever was one in the first place.

[fungus]

On the other hand, where you get a speed limit sign with 30 mph on one side, and NSL on the other, is 30 mph always the maximum safe speed on one side, and 60 entirely reasonable the other side? Speed limits are always a bit of a broad brush.

That's where a belligerent local has turned the sign on one side to cause confusion.

[trashbat]

If on my own on a clear road, I expect I'd frequently go faster.

However, I wonder how you would choose your speed when around other drivers. You know your own competencies, I hope, but you don't generally know anyone else to have positive competence until observed for some time.

The probability of your behaviour being mirrored by a following car is, in my experience, moderately high - and I'm interested in whether anyone would find themselves frequently moderating their speed far below their preference and capabilities just to mitigate a game of copycat going badly for a following driver who lacks the same skill.

[TripleS]

If on my own on a clear road, I expect I'd frequently go faster.

However, I wonder how you would choose your speed when around other drivers. You know your own competencies, I hope, but you don't generally know anyone else to have positive competence until observed for some time.

The probability of your behaviour being mirrored by a following car is, in my experience, moderately high - and I'm interested in whether anyone would find themselves frequently moderating their speed far below their preference and capabilities just to mitigate a game of copycat going badly for a following driver who lacks the same skill.

I don't think I would restrain myself for that particular reason.

In other topics people have said that they probably wouldn't straightline roundabouts, or cross the centre-line to give a better line through a bend, if there was another driver in the vicinity and it was feared that he might be inclined to copy the technique and apply it in an unsafe manner.

On the same basis would we also refrain from doing certain overtakes? If so, that would rule out a lot of overtaking, would it not?

I shall be interested to see what the collective view is, but my current attitude is that others should drive their own vehicles according to what they feel is appropriate.

As for the original question, the abolition of speed limits would merely remove the risk of me getting nicked for speeding. Had speed limits, particularly the NSL, been abolished five or more years ago, that would have been of much more of interest to me. My NSL excesses are now less frequent, they are by smaller margins, and they are for shorter periods; but of course I still need to keep the DPF in proper condition.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[fungus]

I would be quicker on some A and B roads but I would not offside if others were following. I do straightline roundabouts if others are around and there are no lane markings. If there are no other road users I would straightline if there were lane markings. I would not offside for an extended view if others were around.

[jcochrane]

Vehicle slow down on the approach ( even if they are not exceeding the speed limit) pass the camera then immediately return to their original speed. Just like they do for speed bumps. They contribute very little to safety they just move the problem on a little if there ever was one in the first place.

I live in an area dominated by the 30mph limit but there is a short section of dual carriageway with a 40mph limit and a safety camera halfway along. Cars approach the camera at 45/50 mph brake hard to 30mph and then speed up again. Very bizare.

[Gareth]

I'm interested in whether anyone would find themselves frequently moderating their speed far below their preference and capabilities just to mitigate a game of copycat going badly for a following driver who lacks the same skill.

I've done this a number of times, most often when I've been driving what others might think is a fast car. The other method is to break the 'tow' but this generally fails each time you pass through an urban area.

I've also eased off and dropped back when I've realised the driver in front is pushing beyond their capabilities, perhaps because they don't want to be passed.

It's fairly easy to spot when someone's driving is getting ragged, especially entry speeds to bends that are often much too high.

[MGF]

...I hate Gatso/Truvelo cameras because they only ever have an effect within their view area.... They contribute very little to safety they just move the problem on a little if there ever was one in the first place.

If the 'problem' is moved on to after a hazard such as a junction that can help. I honestly don't know how my driving would change other than sometimes I might drive faster than I do now simply because I sometimes stop accelerating because I have reached the limit or the limit of risk of getting caught. I don't think there is any one type of road or limit I usually want to break the limit on.

[trashbat]

I'm not sure about this, and I can see where the comment will take us, but I'd also hazard a guess that I'd overtake less. You'd better be absolutely certain that nothing is going to come the other way in the available distance - and now that all roads are derestricted...

[Gareth]

I'm not sure about this, and I can see where the comment will take us, but I'd also hazard a guess that I'd overtake less. You'd better be absolutely certain that nothing is going to come the other way in the available distance - and now that all roads are derestricted...

From a pragmatic point of view you should already be doing this on rural roads - Think Bike!

[trashbat]

I'm not sure about this, and I can see where the comment will take us, but I'd also hazard a guess that I'd overtake less. You'd better be absolutely certain that nothing is going to come the other way in the available distance - and now that all roads are derestricted...

From a pragmatic point of view you should already be doing this on rural roads - Think Bike!

Indeed - and there are various threads around on the subject of how to plan on 'biker roads'. I'm cautious that it's a can of worms - how much you should be doing this already, and how much should you have to plan for other people's legally excessive speed. Depending on your existing viewpoint, the responsibility might grow if there is no such legal restriction.

[Silk]

I'm not sure about this, and I can see where the comment will take us, but I'd also hazard a guess that I'd overtake less. You'd better be absolutely certain that nothing is going to come the other way in the available distance - and now that all roads are derestricted...

From a pragmatic point of view you should already be doing this on rural roads - Think Bike!

Indeed - and there are various threads around on the subject of how to plan on 'biker roads'. I'm cautious that it's a can of worms - how much you should be doing this already, and how much should you have to plan for other people's legally excessive speed. Depending on your existing viewpoint, the responsibility might grow if there is no such legal restriction.

As it's a bit quiet on here, I'm going to suggest that we would, at the same time, have to look at restricting motorcycles, up to and including a total ban on some or even all roads.

Of all road users, I would argue that bikers are far more likely to ride dangerously if speed restrictions were to be removed.

[jameslb101]

Of all road users, I would argue that bikers are far more likely to ride dangerously if speed restrictions were to be removed.

I can't believe I haven't learned yet but here goes...

I'd say the bikers who are likely to ride dangerously already do.

In fact, I think a removal of speed limits would make a bigger difference to the speeds of car drivers than motorcyclists - bikers already tend to tend to disobey them so their speeds would change little.

[martine]

...I dealt with very few motorcycles driving dangerously accidents in my decade of doing the job.

Isn't that counter to the RTC stats? Actual numbers are low but as a proportion to the mileage m/c have a hugely increased risk.

[Silk]

Of all road users, I would argue that bikers are far more likely to ride dangerously if speed restrictions were to be removed.

I can't believe I haven't learned yet but here goes...

It's like dangling a fluffy ball in front of a kitten.