Speed Limits

[philipn]

Hello - I am new here. By way of introduction, I passed my IAM test about 3 years ago and would like to continue my progression.

I would always observe a 30mph speed limit but, hypothetically, how many here would diverge from a speed limit where it is safe and practical to do so?

There seem to be so many reduced speed limits these days where an ordinary driver is "encouraged" to speed as the nominated speed limit for the road is ridiculously low. I could name 10 examples without really thinking about it.

I am not expecting anybody to incriminate themselves but the clarification would be helpful.

Phil.

[jont]

Would you expect anyone to admit they break the law on a public forum and condone (or even encourage) that behaviour in others?

We recently had a not-dissimilar discussion about breaking the speed limit while overtaking. All 31 pages ( ) of it are here:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3885

If you think a speed limit is inappropriately low, please challenge your local council about it. If you read my thread here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3271 about a road local to me, you will see how narrow minded and short sighted most councillors appear to be when it comes to road safety and how you end up with limits set inappropriately low.

To all the regulars, please can we keep this thread civil and to the point. I'd prefer not to end up locking it after a further 30 pages of going around in circles.

/Welcome to ADUK. Please don't let this put you off posting further questions!

[Octy_Ross]

I guess I could simply state the speed limit sign that has a black line through it means I'll no longer follow the restriction of the limit that was in force previously...

[brianhaddon]

I guess I could simply state the speed limit sign that has a black line through it means I'll no longer follow the restriction of the limit that was in force previously...

Yes when I was younger it meant end of restriction.
Regards
Brian Haddon

[PeterE]

Suffice to say that, given how unreasonably low many of the limits are nowadays, it is not exactly surprising that they are widely disregarded...

[philipn]

Thanks for your answers. I understand that it was not the most practical question offered but there was no such inference of asking anyone to incriminate themselves; it was more about the response to speed limits which do not appear to be practical to the road. I am sorry if it caused any reaction as it wasn't intended that way.

Around my locality, we have been experiencing a drop in speed limits over he last six months; national to 40, 40 to 30 which appear to be at the whim of the local authority without consultation. I have seen the other threads on this and it is a similar situation.

A drop in speed limit does not necessarily mean the vast majority of the public drops their speed.

P.

[Ralge]

Hello - I am new here. By way of introduction, I passed my IAM test about 3 years ago and would like to continue my progression.

I would always observe a 30mph speed limit but, hypothetically, how many here would diverge from a speed limit where it is safe and practical to do so?

There seem to be so many reduced speed limits these days where an ordinary driver is "encouraged" to speed as the nominated speed limit for the road is ridiculously low. I could name 10 examples without really thinking about it.

I am not expecting anybody to incriminate themselves but the clarification would be helpful.

Phil.

What makes a speed limit "ridiculously low", out of interest?
ABS? - when most drivers don't even know what ABS allows them to do whilst emergency braking.
Improved stopping distances from the HC? Who works with the HC table? Or with an alternative table? Drivers, pedestrians?
The fact that driving at 30 feels very slow in modern (armchair) cars? How slows does 30 feel in a go-kart?
Would you fancy being hit by a galloping horse?

[kfae8959]

What makes a speed limit "ridiculously low", out of interest?

I had understood Phil to be relating speed to vision and hazard density. That's what I'd do.

David

[michael769]

What makes a speed limit "ridiculously low", out of interest?

We (in theory) live in a democracy with due process. In such a place the law should only be used to restrict our freedoms when it is necessary to protect us as individuals or where there is a significant benefit to society as a whole.

Speed limits are clearly an important protection as sadly a minority of drivers will refuse to self-regulate and behave responsibly - but they need to be set appropriately so that they comply with the goal I set out in paragraph one.

Any speed limit that is lower that is necessary to set an appropriate balance between safety and the benefits that we as individuals and society gain from being able to move about quickly and efficiently, or which does not provide some other significant benefit to society (for example noise control in urban areas or mitigating the severing of communities) is an unwarranted infringement of our democratic freedoms and as such is ridiculously low.

I'll get off my soap box now....

[Octy_Ross]

Speed limit here: https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=wooton ... 3,,0,-2.88

30mph.

Anyone want to give a good reason for it to be that low?


I've been overtaken whilst doing the posted speed limit on this stretch of road...

[PeterE]

What makes a speed limit "ridiculously low", out of interest?

A speed limit that is significantly lower than the speed at which you, as an advanced driver, would choose to drive if the road had no speed limit apart from NSL - the link in the previous post being a good example.

[michael769]

Anyone want to give a good reason for it to be that low?

I can see buildings through the trees on the left and the housing on the right is visible in the initial like. Could it be to prevent the two areas being "severed" by fast moving traffic. Another possibility is to reduce noise impact on the nearby housing.

[Gareth]

Anyone want to give a good reason for it to be that low?

Possibly to allay the fears of locals?

[Mr Cholmondeley-Warner]

Anyone want to give a good reason for it to be that low?

Possibly to allay the fears of locals?

I was struck by what a potentially useful report that was - the British public are, it seems, still capable of providing very sensible input when someone takes the trouble to ask them. I wonder how much of it was actually incorporated in the eventual development plans - it's now over 4 years since it was published.

[Octy_Ross]

Anyone want to give a good reason for it to be that low?

I can see buildings through the trees on the left and the housing on the right is visible in the initial like. Could it be to prevent the two areas being "severed" by fast moving traffic. Another possibility is to reduce noise impact on the nearby housing.

As far as I know there is no footpath running perpendicular to this road. On the right (as per the link I posted it goes road, little verge, footpath, fence, green shrubbery, fence, gardens+houses on the left it goes, verge, fence, field (sometimes with horses!).

I don't recognise a large difference in noise from cars at 30 or 50 - but perhaps the 30 limit is in place to disuade people from using the road in the 1st place.