WTF my 68hp Toyota IQ does 0-60 in 14 seconds and I've been merging onto a slip road twice a day for the last 4 years without causing a massive pile up.
How do you think HGV's cope?
How do you think HGV’s cope
I think it has something to do with looking and drivers being cooperative, seems like it's a good idea that we could give a go.
limit 0-60 times to no quicker than 15s
lol, what about 0-59? IIRC that would make them slower accelerating that any new car available in the UK today.
Faster than speed limit for overtaking? Fine, it allows you to overtake quicker than if you were limited to the road limit. eg if someone is doing indicated 55-58, it would take ages if you were only allowed to do indicated 60. (eg lorries on a dual carriageway at 55 vs 56 mph) do an indicated 65/70, and you probably only hit 60-62
Blanket limit of 70 of all vehicles? I hope you don't ever find yourself in an emergency situation where the emergency services don't help, but time is a factor. For example, getting to see a dying relative in time. Most of the time speed doesn't matter, but when it does, it really does.
HGV driver looking? that's a rare thing they normally just pull out.
Faster than speed limit for overtaking? Fine, it allows you to overtake quicker than if you were limited to the road limit. eg if someone is doing 55-58, it would take ages if you were only allowed to do 60. (eg lorries on a dual carriageway at 55 vs 56 mph)
How far do you need to be going for the 5mph to make a difference?
The issues with merging are more to do with traffic exceeding the posted speed limits rather than merging traffic being unable to accelerate up to speed in time - the lengths on Motorways are determined by the traffic speed being merged into and are designed to give HGV's enough distance to achieve that before merging.
112mph? Don't see it being an issue. While most of you might have the mental aptitude and skill to keep a modern vehicle on the road, please remember that even if you're of only average intellect. Count the number of bright, clever people you know, then multipy the result by -1. Scary isn't it?
Yes, I have driven faster than 112mph, no I'm not telling you where or when. No, I have no desire to do it again, I'm rather fond of my driving license.
How far do you need to be going for the 5mph to make a difference?
far enough for frustration to build and for the driver behind to do something stupid, like take the inside lane on a right hand bend.
All this nonsense about needing 90mph capability to get yourself out of trouble. If you're going at 70mph and see trouble and accelerate, you'll have hit the trouble by the time you reach 75 let alone 90.
I don’t really have a problem with limiting top speed, but limiting acceleration is just stupid
Indeed..limitimg acceleration speeds would be a sure way to make the roads more dangerous.
That stat about the XC90 was investigated on Radio 4 a while back, and the conclusion was that no-one had died in one, but yes, other people had indeed died in some of the collisions the XC90s were involved in.
I'm sure it's easier to make your vehicle safer relative to others if it is bigger and stuffed full of extra safety equipment.
Are a high percentage of accidents or deaths caused by people going over 112mph I wonder?
Phrasing the question like that, probably not.
Are a higher percentage of accidents or deaths caused by people going over 112mph I wonder?
Is probably a yes though.
what about driving on the autobahn? seems ridiculous to me.
How many additional polar bears does a frustrated middle aged german in a 20 year old Renault Espace kill whilst having an imaginary race with the rest of the traffic doing 110-120kmh?
lol, what about 0-59? IIRC that would make them slower accelerating that any new car available in the UK today.
An empty transit van is 15s in the real world, put a ton of stuff in the back and....... the slip roads of the A34 are littered with the spent carcases of white vans as a result, or not, I dunno.
Do away with private ownership and then you start paying for the amount of time you actually need and use the vehicle
We have this system now..... They're called taxis.
My car only does 93mph.
There has been a speedlimiter to about 112mph in all cars produced indigenously sold in Japan since 2004.
far enough for frustration to build and for the driver behind to do something stupid, like take the inside lane on a right hand bend.
I'm starting to see a theme here, the most dangerous car is the one driven by a person.
Volvo XC90 you say? Automatic breaking (of limbs) you say?
Fixed!
I’d be interested in what cars are driven by all those tryimg their damndest to out do each other by forcing the slowest maximum speed on every else.
Err...any car and 70mph.
I’m starting to see a theme here, the most dangerous car is the one driven by a person.
Autonomous cars for all then. That's only weeks away isn't it? Which is the best one for bangernomics fans?
I'm happy with that. I'd happily have my car restricted to max speed limit.
Autonomous cars for all then. That’s only weeks away isn’t it? Which is the best one for bangernomics fans?
Well there is the solution of restricting them until people prove they can act responsibly 😉
It at least raises the issue, hopefully in due course the limiter will come down. Outside the autobahn, is there anywhere where it is legal to exceed 130kmph/80mph. GPS isn't perfect you could be on a dual carridgeway next to a 30mph housing estate, mixing 30/70 traffic isn't ideal.
Dezb
Are a high percentage of accidents or deaths caused by people going over 112mph I wonder?
Dunno, but the odds of survival at those speeds aren't pretty.
Surely it’s about time we weaned ourselves off personal transport and embraced public transport. With a bit of thought and political will, we could have a fully integrated public transport system that can deliver goods and occupants anywhere in the UK? And then we could wizz up motorways at 150mph in safety and comfort.
Anywhere? Really? Don’t tell me, let me guess, you live in, or near, a major urban centre. Am I right?
Exactly. I really hate this sort of sanctimonious nonsense that also ignores the general crapness of public transport anywhere other than major cities.
Let's take an example - my current workplace isn't even accessible by public transport, at least not without walking for about 3 miles each way from the nearest bus stop and making a bus journey that involves multiple changes and takes 2 hours, instead of the 30 minutes it takes to drive.
Personal transport will never go away - it will just take different forms.
JP
I see my comments brought out the speed merchants amongst you.
Take it to the track, leave other considerate drivers out of your own personal race track mentality.
Thanks.
Blah blah, limiting speed won’t stop speeding blah di blah.
You are right.
Should take the licenses off speeding drivers for life. They then can catch public transport for the rest of their lives. Repent in their own time.
Public highways are for all sensible normal human beings to go about their own business whilst observing the law of the land and road.
Race tracks they are not, they are not your own personal bullish ribbons of tarmac to do as you please.
Nothing wrong with 0-60 times of 15s unless of course you can support your arguments without resorting to “but, whatabouttary, but this but that but what about overtaking Grandma” ? Histerical nonsense.
Carry on, you can get all uppity trying in vein supporting your own “but it’s my road, I pay road tax don’t you know” horsecrap..
Well said bikebouy. You do know that most of the people that will disagree with you are blessed with reflexes approximately one million times faster than ours though don’t you? They are also expert drivers and have a sixth sense, a bit like Spider-Man, that will alert them to any unseen dangers.
All IMO of course 😘
Love you all 🤗
I spend most of my day bumbling around the Uk in a Transit, at or below the speed limit. You’d be surprised how few people actually speed by a large margin, also the speed reported by the speedometer is rarely the actual speed, Most over report.
Most of the accidents I’ve seen at motorway speeds are when vehicles are running at close lowish speeds, or lack of attention when everything stops.
Regardless all they really need to do to cut accidents immediately is disable mobile phones within arms reach of the driver.
I see my comments brought out the speed merchants amongst you.
Not me, I don’t drive/have a license.
*wonders what might have been had AC decided not to test the cobra on the M1, thus forcing the government to pick an arbitrary number based on the technology of the day for folk to be all sanctimonious about, 50 odd years later. What if they’d picked a nice round 100, would that now be fine? What about 50?
Regardless all they really need to do to cut accidents immediately is disable mobile phones within arms reach of the driver.
That’d suck for passengers in anything shorter than a people carrier...
far enough for frustration to build and for the driver behind to do something stupid, like take the inside lane on a right hand bend.
People get impatient and frustrated when they expect to be able to go faster and can't. UK drivers are fine with being able to do 85 all day, that would drive a German rep mad.
The point about these kinds of restrictions is that the remove the possibility, so you have no choice to just sit down and relax.
Regardless all they really need to do to cut accidents immediately is disable mobile phones within arms reach of the driver.
That’d suck for passengers in anything shorter than a people carrier…
It would, but if you’re serious about road safety it’d make a much bigger difference than tinkering with maximum speeds/acceleration.
How do you think HGV’s cope?
Size?
These days I drive a Passat Bluemotion fairly gently. I enjoy watching the average fuel consumption rather than rev counter, but still enjoy driving and have no interest in autonomous cars. Prior to the lottery draw at the weekend I was wondering whether to go for an 812 Superfast or a GTC4Lusso. Couldn't decide but didn't win anyway.
People get impatient and frustrated when they expect to be able to go faster and can’t. UK drivers are fine with being able to do 85 all day, that would drive a German rep mad.
The point about these kinds of restrictions is that the remove the possibility, so you have no choice to just sit down and relax.
How would that change anything though? As everyone would expect everyone else to put their foot to the floor and do the limit everywhere (much as they do now) it’s when folk don’t that the frustration will kick in as they won’t be able to get past, unless they try a risky move, or one that takes ages, hoping they make it in time.
You just need a modified Magnavolt from that advert in Robocop. Try to break the speed limit, use your phone or drive like a dickhead and......
*wonders what might have been had AC decided not to test the cobra on the M1, thus forcing the government to pick an arbitrary number based on the technology of the day for folk to be all sanctimonious about, 50 odd years later. What if they’d picked a nice round 100, would that now be fine? What about 50?
It's one that the rest of the world seems to have settled around though, must be some science to it. The one bit of tech that has not been updated, upgraded or improved since then is the driver, the one that needs to make decisions and react to what is going on. That is the main bit that takes the time, a modern car might stop faster and under more control than one 70 years ago but the driver can't process the inputs any faster, speed things up more and you have more things happening in a shorter time period so less time to react again.
it’s when folk don’t that the frustration will kick in as they won’t be able to get past, unless they try a risky move, or one that takes ages, hoping they make it in time.
I still don't get the policy of appeasing the idiots, how about we punish them more, problem is that needs more policing and more effort.
I know I’m poo pooing all the suggestions about changes to the cars etc, but I really do see little point in doing it as dickheads will just find new and exciting ways to be dickheads. What’s needed is a much more comprehensive driver training program. How many of you feel you learnt more about driving after passing your test than before? Or heard someone say that their driving instructor only taught them what was required for the test. Start people driving younger, train them for longer, and have better teachers is the way to do it (along with constant retesting), not just ‘pass your test as quickly and easily as possible’, once for life
I reckon if I decided to learn to drive tomorrow, the longest part of the process would be waiting for a slot to take the tests.
I still don’t get the policy of appeasing the idiots, how about we punish them more, problem is that needs more policing and more effort.
It's not my policy. If I had my way there'd be speed cameras every mile. There are roads in Somerset like that, there are so many that people just give up and do the speed limit. Nice and relaxing it is.
molgrips
Subscriber
I still don’t get the policy of appeasing the idiots, how about we punish them more, problem is that needs more policing and more effort.
It’s not my policy. If I had my way there’d be speed cameras every mile. There are roads in Somerset like that, there are so many that people just give up and do the speed limit. Nice and relaxing it is.
I just don't understand this mentality. You think that a driver with their eye constantly on the speedo is safe?
JP
You think that a driver with their eye constantly on the speedo is safe?
Obviously not. A good driver can keep speed down without constantly staring at the speedo. Are you saying you're not a good driver? Maybe your car has cruise control or a speed limiter? Mine does.
I just don’t understand this mentality. You think that a driver with their eye constantly on the speedo is safe?
It's comments like that which make me think retesting is a good idea.
I just don’t understand this mentality. You think that a driver with their eye constantly on the speedo is safe?
JP
The occasional glance at the speedo as you’re doing regular mirror checks isn’t ‘eyes constantly on the speedo’ is it? Are you one of the Spider-Man types I mentioned earlier?
Obviously not. A good driver can keep speed down without constantly staring at the speedo. Are you saying you’re not a good driver? Maybe your car has cruise control or a speed limiter? Mine does.
Exactly.
If a driver needs to constantly stare at the speedo to stay at their limit this means they are so obsessed with going as fast as possible that the need this level of control.
Try driving just under and glance at the speedo every now and then to make sure you don't go over. They taught you this for your test, you managed it safely then.
That being said, I don't see why cars are designed to go over 70.
I just don’t understand this mentality. You think that a driver with their eye constantly on the speedo is safe?
If you can't stay within the speed limit without being glued to the speedo then you will not pass your driving test.
I like cycling. I like driving. Where conditions safely allow sometimes at a decent pace. I don’t feel that these things are mutually exclusive.
Agree with volvos stance. No one needs to go faster than that here or in Germany. 20/30 limits in residential areas should be strictly enforced. Phone disabling would be great.
Limiting modern cars to 70 on Dry quiet motorways is frustrating and IMHO not needed though. The 130kph in good conditions the French use is safe.
I’ve had to brake hard to avoid danger. I’ve also accelerated hard to do the same Just not as often.
There’s a hill climbing out of a town after a set of lights I drive home through that quite often results in being stuck behind a lorry or elderly driver at 35. The road goes to 60 limit with clear straight lines of site for a decent distance whilst still up hill. Getting past as a considered planned overtake is perfectly valid. Limiting acceleration would make it a less safe manoeuvre.
As for this daft view
Going to ruin the day of any rep using the M1 who didn’t read the small print when they picked a Volvo for their company car.
You obviously don’t have a job that involves driving much or witness driving on motorways during working hours much. That speed is an automatic ban and my guess would be people caught at this speeds are not “professional” drivers but idiots. The standard of MW driving during the working week is far higher than weekends or holidays.
For example, getting to see a dying relative in time.
I'd stick to speed limits and be really careful in that situation. Emotion can adversly effect driving so I'd keep the speed down and concentrate. If they are dying a few minutes or even hours on a journey aren't going to make any difference and it would be a pity to injure/kill someone else with your selfish impatience.
I've only ever been in one life critical, time critical situation driving - taking Madame to hospital to give birth, I kept calm, stopped at red lights even when there was nothing coming, overtook nothing and gave her the smoothest least stressful ride possible. I was given junior to look after 15 minutes later.
Drac always comes up with the "safe overtaking" argument.
1/ how often do you come across situations where you are just behind one vehicle doing significantly less than the speed limit - almost never around here now trucks and cars have the same speed limit.
2/ you just adapt your safety margins to the performance of the car you are driving. IMO you are less likely to misjudge in a slow car than a fast one because the calculations are more critical in a fast car. I've driven some very fast and very slow cars and honestly believe risks are lower in the slower car as you are dealing with much longer distances, lower peak speeds and much longer periods of time to judge the bale out point in relation to clear road ahead and whether it's safe to continue. There's evidence too. Motorbikes are fast right, really quick so they should be really safe for overtaking according to Drac. Well they represent 30% of overtaking deaths in France despite being only a tiny percentage of road users. They're not inexperienced either the peak age for a motorcyclist to kill him/herself overtaking is 30.
That speed is an automatic ban and my guess would be people caught at this speeds are not “professional” drivers but idiots. The standard of MW driving during the working week is far higher than weekends or holidays.
Not meaning to be picky here, but driving for a living doesn’t make a person a professional driver. Just someone who has to drive a lot. It’s not like it requires extra or ongoing training. I drive on the M6 pretty much every other week. The standard of driving is mixed as much on a week day as it is on a weekend. Dickheads are generally dickheads on a full time basis.
