The EU to the rescue again! NOT!
03 September 2013, 06:41 AM
#31
I completely agree, and as evidenced with all the accidents we have on our roads. Speed is only one of many factors, a speed limit is just that, a limit, doesn't mean you have to drive at the limit all the time. Speed is the only factor that can be governed for the driver after having passed the test. How else are you going stop inexperienced testosteroney boy racers driving around at 100 mph+ everywhere?
03 September 2013, 10:03 AM
#33
Scooby Regular
In some respects I see where Jonc is coming from, my biggest worry these days whilst riding my bike is some stupid deer running out in to the road and causing me to crash. But at the end of the day, I like a 'buzz', and I have my own risk threshold, so I accept that risk.
From another angle, I just can’t understand, and I mean really understand why people find rides at the likes of Alton Towers scary or frightening. There is, bar mechanical failure, no risk at all involved in going on said rides so why are they scary? Why do people scream?
But back to speed limits – whilst breaking the law, I’m quite happy to drive past the local school at 06:30hrs in the morning on the way to work at 30ish in the 20mph zone – I say ish, because I don’t stare at my speedo, but I’m there or there abouts. Is that the heinous crime of the century, or am I just using a bit of common sense and driving to the conditions at the time? No doubt some will say it’s arrogant, and maybe it is, but I’m quite happy in myself that I’m more capable of judging road conditions better than any speed limit sign ever will, and if you rely on a speed limit to tell you how fast you can go, then I’d say that individual is more of a risk on the road than I am.
On the same theme, I followed a car through a village yesterday and when it reached a 20zone outside a school (closed btw), the driver slammed on the brakes to slow down. That to me is quite worrying, because the driver is clearly driving to the signs and is probably not aware of any developing situation around them. Sadly, because organisations such as BRAKE and, now thankfully not so much, safety partnerships have been drumming it in to people that so long as they don’t break the speed limit they are safe, we have a growing number of zombies on our roads who don’t have a clue. As we left the 20zone, the driver increased their speed back to 30ish and then quite happily drove past a really busy section to road, pavement, shop, people walking about etc. which to me, 30 was too fast, again a symptom of removing judgement from people and turning them in to worse drivers.
From another angle, I just can’t understand, and I mean really understand why people find rides at the likes of Alton Towers scary or frightening. There is, bar mechanical failure, no risk at all involved in going on said rides so why are they scary? Why do people scream?
But back to speed limits – whilst breaking the law, I’m quite happy to drive past the local school at 06:30hrs in the morning on the way to work at 30ish in the 20mph zone – I say ish, because I don’t stare at my speedo, but I’m there or there abouts. Is that the heinous crime of the century, or am I just using a bit of common sense and driving to the conditions at the time? No doubt some will say it’s arrogant, and maybe it is, but I’m quite happy in myself that I’m more capable of judging road conditions better than any speed limit sign ever will, and if you rely on a speed limit to tell you how fast you can go, then I’d say that individual is more of a risk on the road than I am.
On the same theme, I followed a car through a village yesterday and when it reached a 20zone outside a school (closed btw), the driver slammed on the brakes to slow down. That to me is quite worrying, because the driver is clearly driving to the signs and is probably not aware of any developing situation around them. Sadly, because organisations such as BRAKE and, now thankfully not so much, safety partnerships have been drumming it in to people that so long as they don’t break the speed limit they are safe, we have a growing number of zombies on our roads who don’t have a clue. As we left the 20zone, the driver increased their speed back to 30ish and then quite happily drove past a really busy section to road, pavement, shop, people walking about etc. which to me, 30 was too fast, again a symptom of removing judgement from people and turning them in to worse drivers.
03 September 2013, 10:38 AM
#34
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: .
Posts: 20,035
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In some respects I see where Jonc is coming from, my biggest worry these days whilst riding my bike is some stupid deer running out in to the road and causing me to crash. But at the end of the day, I like a 'buzz', and I have my own risk threshold, so I accept that risk.
From another angle, I just can’t understand, and I mean really understand why people find rides at the likes of Alton Towers scary or frightening. There is, bar mechanical failure, no risk at all involved in going on said rides so why are they scary? Why do people scream?
But back to speed limits – whilst breaking the law, I’m quite happy to drive past the local school at 06:30hrs in the morning on the way to work at 30ish in the 20mph zone – I say ish, because I don’t stare at my speedo, but I’m there or there abouts. Is that the heinous crime of the century, or am I just using a bit of common sense and driving to the conditions at the time? No doubt some will say it’s arrogant, and maybe it is, but I’m quite happy in myself that I’m more capable of judging road conditions better than any speed limit sign ever will, and if you rely on a speed limit to tell you how fast you can go, then I’d say that individual is more of a risk on the road than I am.
On the same theme, I followed a car through a village yesterday and when it reached a 20zone outside a school (closed btw), the driver slammed on the brakes to slow down. That to me is quite worrying, because the driver is clearly driving to the signs and is probably not aware of any developing situation around them. Sadly, because organisations such as BRAKE and, now thankfully not so much, safety partnerships have been drumming it in to people that so long as they don’t break the speed limit they are safe, we have a growing number of zombies on our roads who don’t have a clue. As we left the 20zone, the driver increased their speed back to 30ish and then quite happily drove past a really busy section to road, pavement, shop, people walking about etc. which to me, 30 was too fast, again a symptom of removing judgement from people and turning them in to worse drivers.
From another angle, I just can’t understand, and I mean really understand why people find rides at the likes of Alton Towers scary or frightening. There is, bar mechanical failure, no risk at all involved in going on said rides so why are they scary? Why do people scream?
But back to speed limits – whilst breaking the law, I’m quite happy to drive past the local school at 06:30hrs in the morning on the way to work at 30ish in the 20mph zone – I say ish, because I don’t stare at my speedo, but I’m there or there abouts. Is that the heinous crime of the century, or am I just using a bit of common sense and driving to the conditions at the time? No doubt some will say it’s arrogant, and maybe it is, but I’m quite happy in myself that I’m more capable of judging road conditions better than any speed limit sign ever will, and if you rely on a speed limit to tell you how fast you can go, then I’d say that individual is more of a risk on the road than I am.
On the same theme, I followed a car through a village yesterday and when it reached a 20zone outside a school (closed btw), the driver slammed on the brakes to slow down. That to me is quite worrying, because the driver is clearly driving to the signs and is probably not aware of any developing situation around them. Sadly, because organisations such as BRAKE and, now thankfully not so much, safety partnerships have been drumming it in to people that so long as they don’t break the speed limit they are safe, we have a growing number of zombies on our roads who don’t have a clue. As we left the 20zone, the driver increased their speed back to 30ish and then quite happily drove past a really busy section to road, pavement, shop, people walking about etc. which to me, 30 was too fast, again a symptom of removing judgement from people and turning them in to worse drivers.
And the reason why speed cameras are not the solution!
03 September 2013, 10:47 AM
#35
In some respects I see where Jonc is coming from, my biggest worry these days whilst riding my bike is some stupid deer running out in to the road and causing me to crash. But at the end of the day, I like a 'buzz', and I have my own risk threshold, so I accept that risk.
From another angle, I just can’t understand, and I mean really understand why people find rides at the likes of Alton Towers scary or frightening. There is, bar mechanical failure, no risk at all involved in going on said rides so why are they scary? Why do people scream?
But back to speed limits – whilst breaking the law, I’m quite happy to drive past the local school at 06:30hrs in the morning on the way to work at 30ish in the 20mph zone – I say ish, because I don’t stare at my speedo, but I’m there or there abouts. Is that the heinous crime of the century, or am I just using a bit of common sense and driving to the conditions at the time? No doubt some will say it’s arrogant, and maybe it is, but I’m quite happy in myself that I’m more capable of judging road conditions better than any speed limit sign ever will, and if you rely on a speed limit to tell you how fast you can go, then I’d say that individual is more of a risk on the road than I am.
On the same theme, I followed a car through a village yesterday and when it reached a 20zone outside a school (closed btw), the driver slammed on the brakes to slow down. That to me is quite worrying, because the driver is clearly driving to the signs and is probably not aware of any developing situation around them. Sadly, because organisations such as BRAKE and, now thankfully not so much, safety partnerships have been drumming it in to people that so long as they don’t break the speed limit they are safe, we have a growing number of zombies on our roads who don’t have a clue. As we left the 20zone, the driver increased their speed back to 30ish and then quite happily drove past a really busy section to road, pavement, shop, people walking about etc. which to me, 30 was too fast, again a symptom of removing judgement from people and turning them in to worse drivers.
From another angle, I just can’t understand, and I mean really understand why people find rides at the likes of Alton Towers scary or frightening. There is, bar mechanical failure, no risk at all involved in going on said rides so why are they scary? Why do people scream?
But back to speed limits – whilst breaking the law, I’m quite happy to drive past the local school at 06:30hrs in the morning on the way to work at 30ish in the 20mph zone – I say ish, because I don’t stare at my speedo, but I’m there or there abouts. Is that the heinous crime of the century, or am I just using a bit of common sense and driving to the conditions at the time? No doubt some will say it’s arrogant, and maybe it is, but I’m quite happy in myself that I’m more capable of judging road conditions better than any speed limit sign ever will, and if you rely on a speed limit to tell you how fast you can go, then I’d say that individual is more of a risk on the road than I am.
On the same theme, I followed a car through a village yesterday and when it reached a 20zone outside a school (closed btw), the driver slammed on the brakes to slow down. That to me is quite worrying, because the driver is clearly driving to the signs and is probably not aware of any developing situation around them. Sadly, because organisations such as BRAKE and, now thankfully not so much, safety partnerships have been drumming it in to people that so long as they don’t break the speed limit they are safe, we have a growing number of zombies on our roads who don’t have a clue. As we left the 20zone, the driver increased their speed back to 30ish and then quite happily drove past a really busy section to road, pavement, shop, people walking about etc. which to me, 30 was too fast, again a symptom of removing judgement from people and turning them in to worse drivers.
03 September 2013, 10:49 AM
#36
Exactly, I'd rather have more traffic police on our roads, at least common sense can be applied and on the spot "education" given for offenders not just breaking the speed limit but also to how they are driving.
03 September 2013, 11:48 AM
#37
Scooby Regular
But to your point regarding the driver in front, I'd rather he be restricted doing 30 instead of whatever unrestricted speed. If that driver doesn't have the awareness of the conditions, at least by him blindly following the speed limit, it makes him a little more predictable for other road users.
Another good (bad) example this week was that Lincolnshire Safety something or other had a number or articles on the local radio about not breaking the speed limits and to slow down now that the schools are back. Instead they should be telling people to drive carefully and to the conditions, but you know that as well as I do
03 September 2013, 04:18 PM
#38
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 39,877
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What is ridiculous, for example, in a NSL?
Also, if I do choose to 'blat' along a deserted road with no junction, no traffic coming or going in either direction, visibility as far as I can see; how is that anti social and dangerous to others?
And heres a thing, I mainly drive to work, but sometimes I ride on my motorbike instead because it's more enjoyable and fun. In riding my motorbike I'm fully aware that I'm taking risk over and above that of what I'd be exposed to in the car, so are you saying I shouldn't do that?
Also, if I do choose to 'blat' along a deserted road with no junction, no traffic coming or going in either direction, visibility as far as I can see; how is that anti social and dangerous to others?
And heres a thing, I mainly drive to work, but sometimes I ride on my motorbike instead because it's more enjoyable and fun. In riding my motorbike I'm fully aware that I'm taking risk over and above that of what I'd be exposed to in the car, so are you saying I shouldn't do that?
Whatever risk you want to take with your own life is entirely your own affair, but what is obviously important is what you might do to an innocent roaduser when you screw up!
How many roads do you know which fit your description above, and how could you be certain that there is no one also on that road doing the same as you?
Do you feel that you have a God given right to ignore all speed limits, that is certainly anti social since it can be pretty alarming to others and of course it can also be dangerous if you get it wrong or something happens to the car or 'bike to make you lose control. The faster you are going the more likely you are to cause serious damage or someone's death!
Oh by the way,"heres a thing"
I have held a full motor cycle licence probably for longer than you can remember and I have a Norton Dominator looking as new and a Suzuki GS 1000 also in first class condition in the garage. I really enjoy riding them and using their performance as well. I have owned all kinds of 'bikes from a couple of Black Shadows onwards.
By the same token I feel a responsibility towards other road users and pedestrians for that matter when I am riding my 'bikes or driving my car!
Les
03 September 2013, 05:16 PM
#39
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Grantham
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whatever risk you want to take with your own life is entirely your own affair, but what is obviously important is what you might do to an innocent roaduser when you screw up!
How many roads do you know which fit your description above, and how could you be certain that there is no one also on that road doing the same as you?
Do you feel that you have a God given right to ignore all speed limits, that is certainly anti social since it can be pretty alarming to others and of course it can also be dangerous if you get it wrong or something happens to the car or 'bike to make you lose control. The faster you are going the more likely you are to cause serious damage or someone's death!
Oh by the way,"heres a thing"
I have held a full motor cycle licence probably for longer than you can remember and I have a Norton Dominator looking as new and a Suzuki GS 1000 also in first class condition in the garage. I really enjoy riding them and using their performance as well. I have owned all kinds of 'bikes from a couple of Black Shadows onwards.
By the same token I feel a responsibility towards other road users and pedestrians for that matter when I am riding my 'bikes or driving my car!
Les
How many roads do you know which fit your description above, and how could you be certain that there is no one also on that road doing the same as you?
Do you feel that you have a God given right to ignore all speed limits, that is certainly anti social since it can be pretty alarming to others and of course it can also be dangerous if you get it wrong or something happens to the car or 'bike to make you lose control. The faster you are going the more likely you are to cause serious damage or someone's death!
Oh by the way,"heres a thing"
I have held a full motor cycle licence probably for longer than you can remember and I have a Norton Dominator looking as new and a Suzuki GS 1000 also in first class condition in the garage. I really enjoy riding them and using their performance as well. I have owned all kinds of 'bikes from a couple of Black Shadows onwards.
By the same token I feel a responsibility towards other road users and pedestrians for that matter when I am riding my 'bikes or driving my car!
Les
03 September 2013, 05:21 PM
#40
Scooby Regular
Do you feel that you have a God given right to ignore all speed limits, that is certainly anti social since it can be pretty alarming to others and of course it can also be dangerous if you get it wrong or something happens to the car or 'bike to make you lose control. The faster you are going the more likely you are to cause serious damage or someone's death!
Les
Les
Oh by the way,"heres a thing"
I have held a full motor cycle licence probably for longer than you can remember and I have a Norton Dominator looking as new and a Suzuki GS 1000 also in first class condition in the garage. I really enjoy riding them and using their performance as well. I have owned all kinds of 'bikes from a couple of Black Shadows onwards.
By the same token I feel a responsibility towards other road users and pedestrians for that matter when I am riding my 'bikes or driving my car
Les
I have held a full motor cycle licence probably for longer than you can remember and I have a Norton Dominator looking as new and a Suzuki GS 1000 also in first class condition in the garage. I really enjoy riding them and using their performance as well. I have owned all kinds of 'bikes from a couple of Black Shadows onwards.
By the same token I feel a responsibility towards other road users and pedestrians for that matter when I am riding my 'bikes or driving my car
Les
Another question – have you always had such a strong view on speed limits, or is it something that has come with age? Just curious if you’ve had a rebellious past, but age and wisdom has kicked in? Like many people, in my youth I’ve done some, errrr, very stupid things, and I look back and think what the hell was I thinking and I couldn’t even contemplate doing the same thing now, but as it stands today, I’ll be buggered if somebody is going to tell me that a road sign with a number on it can tell me if I’m driving safely or not, if I go at or below the number I’m safe, and if I go above the number (or black line) I’m a complete danger to society and should be shot on sight.
04 September 2013, 04:01 PM
#41
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 39,877
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You don't have to exceed the speed limits to enjoy the acceleration and roadholding of a decent high performance motor 'bike. Same thing with cars.
It is true that the Norton is by no means a high performance machine compared to a modern 4 cylinder 'bike. Having a featherbed frame however means that its handling is as good as any you might ride.
I find I can ride my Suzuki in such a way that I can thoroughly enjoy it without busting the speed limits. Its only down to how long you keep the twistgrip open for having used the acceleration!
Of course there have to be speed limits. I can't believe you even mentioned it. Those who are responsible for monitoring road use have to set limits to cover the whole width of car or motor cycle drivers' abilities. Are you saying that there should be no limits at all? What about the incapable "drongo" who feels he would have to scream around the place with no idea of how to control a machine if it got out of hand or how to deal with traffic etc. in constricted areas etc?
You obviously have a very high opinion of your own driving and/or riding ability. Are you really such a "star" that you feel you can tear around the place ignoring speed limits and the like ignoring the fact that other more sensible road users expect people to drive safely inside the speed limits? What is so special about you I wonder? Do you feel perhap's that you ought to be out on the IOM showing them all how to win the TT?
Speed limits are set by the authorities for general road safety and should be observed, even by self opinionated law breakers.
You should try a track day at Castle Combe or the like except that you might find yourself embarassed by those who can really handle a bike or car when they are giving it a bit of stick!
Les
It is true that the Norton is by no means a high performance machine compared to a modern 4 cylinder 'bike. Having a featherbed frame however means that its handling is as good as any you might ride.
I find I can ride my Suzuki in such a way that I can thoroughly enjoy it without busting the speed limits. Its only down to how long you keep the twistgrip open for having used the acceleration!
Of course there have to be speed limits. I can't believe you even mentioned it. Those who are responsible for monitoring road use have to set limits to cover the whole width of car or motor cycle drivers' abilities. Are you saying that there should be no limits at all? What about the incapable "drongo" who feels he would have to scream around the place with no idea of how to control a machine if it got out of hand or how to deal with traffic etc. in constricted areas etc?
You obviously have a very high opinion of your own driving and/or riding ability. Are you really such a "star" that you feel you can tear around the place ignoring speed limits and the like ignoring the fact that other more sensible road users expect people to drive safely inside the speed limits? What is so special about you I wonder? Do you feel perhap's that you ought to be out on the IOM showing them all how to win the TT?
Speed limits are set by the authorities for general road safety and should be observed, even by self opinionated law breakers.
You should try a track day at Castle Combe or the like except that you might find yourself embarassed by those who can really handle a bike or car when they are giving it a bit of stick!
Les
04 September 2013, 06:10 PM
#42
Scooby Regular
You don't have to exceed the speed limits to enjoy the acceleration and roadholding of a decent high performance motor 'bike. Same thing with cars.
It is true that the Norton is by no means a high performance machine compared to a modern 4 cylinder 'bike. Having a featherbed frame however means that its handling is as good as any you might ride.
I find I can ride my Suzuki in such a way that I can thoroughly enjoy it without busting the speed limits. Its only down to how long you keep the twistgrip open for having used the acceleration!
Of course there have to be speed limits. I can't believe you even mentioned it. Those who are responsible for monitoring road use have to set limits to cover the whole width of car or motor cycle drivers' abilities. Are you saying that there should be no limits at all? What about the incapable "drongo" who feels he would have to scream around the place with no idea of how to control a machine if it got out of hand or how to deal with traffic etc. in constricted areas etc?
You obviously have a very high opinion of your own driving and/or riding ability. Are you really such a "star" that you feel you can tear around the place ignoring speed limits and the like ignoring the fact that other more sensible road users expect people to drive safely inside the speed limits? What is so special about you I wonder? Do you feel perhap's that you ought to be out on the IOM showing them all how to win the TT?
Speed limits are set by the authorities for general road safety and should be observed, even by self opinionated law breakers.
You should try a track day at Castle Combe or the like except that you might find yourself embarassed by those who can really handle a bike or car when they are giving it a bit of stick!
Les
It is true that the Norton is by no means a high performance machine compared to a modern 4 cylinder 'bike. Having a featherbed frame however means that its handling is as good as any you might ride.
I find I can ride my Suzuki in such a way that I can thoroughly enjoy it without busting the speed limits. Its only down to how long you keep the twistgrip open for having used the acceleration!
Of course there have to be speed limits. I can't believe you even mentioned it. Those who are responsible for monitoring road use have to set limits to cover the whole width of car or motor cycle drivers' abilities. Are you saying that there should be no limits at all? What about the incapable "drongo" who feels he would have to scream around the place with no idea of how to control a machine if it got out of hand or how to deal with traffic etc. in constricted areas etc?
You obviously have a very high opinion of your own driving and/or riding ability. Are you really such a "star" that you feel you can tear around the place ignoring speed limits and the like ignoring the fact that other more sensible road users expect people to drive safely inside the speed limits? What is so special about you I wonder? Do you feel perhap's that you ought to be out on the IOM showing them all how to win the TT?
Speed limits are set by the authorities for general road safety and should be observed, even by self opinionated law breakers.
You should try a track day at Castle Combe or the like except that you might find yourself embarassed by those who can really handle a bike or car when they are giving it a bit of stick!
Les
In terms of speed limits, I think if we didn't have any, you'd still find that the vast majority of road users would drive to the conditions, because they are sensible and clever enough to work out what is going on around them and drive at an appropriate speed. Are you saying that if we didn't have limits posted in villages along main trunk roads, then everybody would blast through them at 100mph? You have the drongos regardless of limits or not.
Again, I don't ignore all limits (and the like?), I certainly stick to limits in towns and villages, hence the comment yesterday about people overtaking me in a 30 on a regular basis, so please don't go jumping to conclusions about how I ride or drive. I do however open the bike up a bit in NSL's at appropriate places. As per my earlier post, this is where there are no other vehicles coming in either direction, where there are no hidden entrances or exits and where I can see in the distance I can stop, so quite how this impacts other road users I have no idea. If and when I do catch up with another vehicle, I will slow down and overtake them, if so desired, at a speed where they should neither be shocked or surprised by my presence.
I have no idea how you can equate track riding to road riding. Of course, whilst you can more fully explore a machines limits on the track, I have no desire to ride in such a manner on the road, but at least I have the comfort of knowing the bike can do a lot more than I ask of it.
And whilst you ask, I’ve not done Castle Combe, but have done Cadwell (lots), Donington, Oulton, Bedford, Spa, Nürburgring and Catalunya, probably would have made a decent club racer, but regardless of that, I don’t see what my track riding skills have to do with riding on the road. I’ve been to the IoM as well, but wouldn’t fancy it – riding on a road at those kinds of speeds takes some bottle, even if it is closed to other traffic.
Anyway, again you seem to bring the whole idea of driving safely down to if you’re complying with speed limits or not. Whilst they do of course give an indication of the maximum speed you should go, they are quite often too fast for the conditions (I gave an example in an earlier post), but people are being brain washed in to thinking, “I’m not breaking the speed limit, I’m safe”.
Also, I haven’t done it for a while, but in the past I’ve ridden with serving traffic plods. They were all great guys who, to quote, “live in the real world.” The briefing was, “30 is 30, 40 is 40, 50 is 50 no exception, but in the NSL’s you can open it up a bit” What do you think of that?
I’ve had two RTA’s in my time, both on bikes, I learnt from both, so I ride very cautiously and defensively on the road. The first was a, “sorry mate, didn’t see you” in a 30. The second was a lot more serious, in a NSL, which resulted in me hitting a car which pulled out of a junction. I was very lucky to walk away from that one and it resulted in me taking extensive training to avoid it happening again. I certainly don’t have an over inflated or very high opinion of my road skills, but I’m fairly confident that I’m a lot more aware of what is going on around me, and what we’d all class as a developing hazard than a driver or rider who hasn’t. When I approach junctions etc. where it’s impossible to see traffic approaching, which may potentially pull out on me, I tend to drop quite a bit below the NSL, as t-boning a car hurts. And as a result of the first accident, if I see a car waiting to turn right, I just don’t trust them, and again I’ll slow down to well below the NSL, which I imagine has more than once pi55ed off the driver of the car behind. Am I still only fit for the gallows?
Would you hang the 80%(?) of drivers and riders who break the speed limit on the motorways every day without incident? If it's such a heinous crime, why doesn't the government or police do anything about it?
And would you kindly answer my question:
Have you always had such a strong view on speed limits, or is it something that has come with age? Just curious if you’ve had a rebellious past, but age and wisdom has kicked in?
04 September 2013, 09:10 PM
#43
Scooby Regular
[QUOTE=^Qwerty^;11198179]In some respects I see where Jonc is coming from, my biggest worry these days whilst riding my bike is some stupid deer running out in to the road and causing me to crash. But at the end of the day, I like a 'buzz', and I have my own risk threshold, so I accept that risk.
From another angle, I just can’t understand, and I mean really understand why people find rides at the likes of Alton Towers scary or frightening. There is, bar mechanical failure, no risk at all involved in going on said rides so why are they scary? Why do people scream?
But back to speed limits – whilst breaking the law, I’m quite happy to drive past the local school at 06:30hrs in the morning on the way to work at 30ish in the 20mph zone – I say ish, because I don’t stare at my speedo, but I’m there or there abouts. Is that the heinous crime of the century, or am I just using a bit of common sense and driving to the conditions at the time? No doubt some will say it’s arrogant, and maybe it is, but I’m quite happy in myself that I’m more capable of judging road conditions better than any speed limit sign ever will, and if you rely on a speed limit to tell you how fast you can go, then I’d say that individual is more of a risk on the road than I am.
On the same theme, I followed a car through a village yesterday and when it reached a 20zone outside a school (closed btw), the driver slammed on the brakes to slow down. That to me is quite worrying, because the driver is clearly driving to the signs and is probably not aware of any developing situation around them. Sadly, because organisations such as BRAKE and, now thankfully not so much, safety partnerships have been drumming it in to people that so long as they don’t break the speed limit they are safe, we have a growing number of zombies on our roads who don’t have a clue. As we left the 20zone, the driver increased their speed back to 30ish and then quite happily drove past a really busy section to road, pavement, shop, people walking about etc. which to me, 30 was too fast, again a symptom of removing judgement from people and turning them in to worse drivers.[/
I'd make pass plus compulsory before having a full licence,I notice more and more now drivers who drive into the middle of the road to negotiate a bend,and these B roads/country lanes its bloody mental,the amount of time I've come round a bend and some *** coming the other way,has been bang in the middle of road on the bend..I think many think they are on a race track..
I really don't know how some even pass a driving test..I wouldn't trust some with a toy remote car...
From another angle, I just can’t understand, and I mean really understand why people find rides at the likes of Alton Towers scary or frightening. There is, bar mechanical failure, no risk at all involved in going on said rides so why are they scary? Why do people scream?
But back to speed limits – whilst breaking the law, I’m quite happy to drive past the local school at 06:30hrs in the morning on the way to work at 30ish in the 20mph zone – I say ish, because I don’t stare at my speedo, but I’m there or there abouts. Is that the heinous crime of the century, or am I just using a bit of common sense and driving to the conditions at the time? No doubt some will say it’s arrogant, and maybe it is, but I’m quite happy in myself that I’m more capable of judging road conditions better than any speed limit sign ever will, and if you rely on a speed limit to tell you how fast you can go, then I’d say that individual is more of a risk on the road than I am.
On the same theme, I followed a car through a village yesterday and when it reached a 20zone outside a school (closed btw), the driver slammed on the brakes to slow down. That to me is quite worrying, because the driver is clearly driving to the signs and is probably not aware of any developing situation around them. Sadly, because organisations such as BRAKE and, now thankfully not so much, safety partnerships have been drumming it in to people that so long as they don’t break the speed limit they are safe, we have a growing number of zombies on our roads who don’t have a clue. As we left the 20zone, the driver increased their speed back to 30ish and then quite happily drove past a really busy section to road, pavement, shop, people walking about etc. which to me, 30 was too fast, again a symptom of removing judgement from people and turning them in to worse drivers.[/
I'd make pass plus compulsory before having a full licence,I notice more and more now drivers who drive into the middle of the road to negotiate a bend,and these B roads/country lanes its bloody mental,the amount of time I've come round a bend and some *** coming the other way,has been bang in the middle of road on the bend..I think many think they are on a race track..
I really don't know how some even pass a driving test..I wouldn't trust some with a toy remote car...
05 September 2013, 11:59 AM
#44
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (41)
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: in the woods...........555 Wagon Sqn
Posts: 13,347
Received 55 Likes
on
42 Posts
normally agree with lots of your sentiments (unless its a god thread)...60mph in second gear is not enjoying either the road holding or performance. That statement is simply untrue.
Last edited by trails; 05 September 2013 at 12:00 PM. Reason: too many untrues :D
05 September 2013, 04:03 PM
#45
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 39,877
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It looks like you are assuming that all corners etc are such that you can drive at high speeds in excess of the speed limits around them all.
It is in fact the other way round in this country and the severity of so many corners is such that 60 mph could easily be criminally dangerous. It has to be remembered that our roads are also heavily crowded and so many drivers these days are not competent to drive fast or to control their vehicles sensibly on the roads.
It also looks as though so many feel that the only skilful part is to drive at very high speeds and that sticking to speed limits is just a "pansy" way to go about driving or riding bikes. Driving enormously fast is very easy to do of course but if something goes wrong, either your fault or that of another driver, then your chances of escaping an accident are very much less. The traffic these days is just too heavy to allow you to get away with it. It may have been very different in much earlier days when if you fell off your 'bike you had time to get up, pick it up, wheel it to the kerb and check it for damage before any other traffic appeared! No real chance of that any more!
I think it is fair to mention that all drivers have a responsibility towards other road users,including pedestrians of course. Can anyone answer the question if it is fair to drive at anything up to 3 figure speeds and to go round corners on the bitter edge just to try to prove to yourself that you are a big star on the road while you are risking injury to innocent road users? One answer of course, apart from going on a track day, is to go out in the middle of the night on deserted roads observing the speed limits, and even then you might be risking someone else's health! It is of course a matter of consideration to other road users rather than being totally selfish about the whole thing.
You could of course join the BARC or the BRSCC and do a bit of track racing at club level. Thats a good way to get it out of your system and you might even learn something too! At least everyone is going in the same direction....most of the time anyway!
Les
It is in fact the other way round in this country and the severity of so many corners is such that 60 mph could easily be criminally dangerous. It has to be remembered that our roads are also heavily crowded and so many drivers these days are not competent to drive fast or to control their vehicles sensibly on the roads.
It also looks as though so many feel that the only skilful part is to drive at very high speeds and that sticking to speed limits is just a "pansy" way to go about driving or riding bikes. Driving enormously fast is very easy to do of course but if something goes wrong, either your fault or that of another driver, then your chances of escaping an accident are very much less. The traffic these days is just too heavy to allow you to get away with it. It may have been very different in much earlier days when if you fell off your 'bike you had time to get up, pick it up, wheel it to the kerb and check it for damage before any other traffic appeared! No real chance of that any more!
I think it is fair to mention that all drivers have a responsibility towards other road users,including pedestrians of course. Can anyone answer the question if it is fair to drive at anything up to 3 figure speeds and to go round corners on the bitter edge just to try to prove to yourself that you are a big star on the road while you are risking injury to innocent road users? One answer of course, apart from going on a track day, is to go out in the middle of the night on deserted roads observing the speed limits, and even then you might be risking someone else's health! It is of course a matter of consideration to other road users rather than being totally selfish about the whole thing.
You could of course join the BARC or the BRSCC and do a bit of track racing at club level. Thats a good way to get it out of your system and you might even learn something too! At least everyone is going in the same direction....most of the time anyway!
Les
05 September 2013, 04:45 PM
#46
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (41)
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: in the woods...........555 Wagon Sqn
Posts: 13,347
Received 55 Likes
on
42 Posts
It looks like you are assuming that all corners etc are such that you can drive at high speeds in excess of the speed limits around them all.
It is in fact the other way round in this country and the severity of so many corners is such that 60 mph could easily be criminally dangerous. It has to be remembered that our roads are also heavily crowded and so many drivers these days are not competent to drive fast or to control their vehicles sensibly on the roads.
It also looks as though so many feel that the only skilful part is to drive at very high speeds and that sticking to speed limits is just a "pansy" way to go about driving or riding bikes. Driving enormously fast is very easy to do of course but if something goes wrong, either your fault or that of another driver, then your chances of escaping an accident are very much less. The traffic these days is just too heavy to allow you to get away with it. It may have been very different in much earlier days when if you fell off your 'bike you had time to get up, pick it up, wheel it to the kerb and check it for damage before any other traffic appeared! No real chance of that any more!
I think it is fair to mention that all drivers have a responsibility towards other road users,including pedestrians of course. Can anyone answer the question if it is fair to drive at anything up to 3 figure speeds and to go round corners on the bitter edge just to try to prove to yourself that you are a big star on the road while you are risking injury to innocent road users? One answer of course, apart from going on a track day, is to go out in the middle of the night on deserted roads observing the speed limits, and even then you might be risking someone else's health! It is of course a matter of consideration to other road users rather than being totally selfish about the whole thing.
You could of course join the BARC or the BRSCC and do a bit of track racing at club level. Thats a good way to get it out of your system and you might even learn something too! At least everyone is going in the same direction....most of the time anyway!
Les
It is in fact the other way round in this country and the severity of so many corners is such that 60 mph could easily be criminally dangerous. It has to be remembered that our roads are also heavily crowded and so many drivers these days are not competent to drive fast or to control their vehicles sensibly on the roads.
It also looks as though so many feel that the only skilful part is to drive at very high speeds and that sticking to speed limits is just a "pansy" way to go about driving or riding bikes. Driving enormously fast is very easy to do of course but if something goes wrong, either your fault or that of another driver, then your chances of escaping an accident are very much less. The traffic these days is just too heavy to allow you to get away with it. It may have been very different in much earlier days when if you fell off your 'bike you had time to get up, pick it up, wheel it to the kerb and check it for damage before any other traffic appeared! No real chance of that any more!
I think it is fair to mention that all drivers have a responsibility towards other road users,including pedestrians of course. Can anyone answer the question if it is fair to drive at anything up to 3 figure speeds and to go round corners on the bitter edge just to try to prove to yourself that you are a big star on the road while you are risking injury to innocent road users? One answer of course, apart from going on a track day, is to go out in the middle of the night on deserted roads observing the speed limits, and even then you might be risking someone else's health! It is of course a matter of consideration to other road users rather than being totally selfish about the whole thing.
You could of course join the BARC or the BRSCC and do a bit of track racing at club level. Thats a good way to get it out of your system and you might even learn something too! At least everyone is going in the same direction....most of the time anyway!
Les
My favourite game is catch up; I stick to 30/40 limits like a limpet but once into an NSL I see how quickly I can catch up the Muppets that drive at 45mph everywhere oblivious to everything else. Often it easily achievable without hitting 60
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post