B roads are quite often deserted, which makes it all the more dangerous when you don't expect the 2 horses round the next cool and fast left hander, or the man wlking his dog or the Koni kitted out Cav coming the other way.

not entirely sensible.

 

It's perfectly possible to drive quickly while still following the essential roadcraft rule which says (apologies for massive paraphrasing!) "never let your stopping distance go beyond what you can see".

So the "cool and fast bend" only becomes "cool and fast" when it opens up sufficiently for you to see the absence of a tractor, pedestrian etc...

Andy

 

I find it amazing how hypocritcal some people can be when it comes to topics like this. People say "I don't agree with racing on the roads". And when you ask them why they bought the scoob? They respond "I bought it for the twisty bits....."

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

 

Yeah sure we like the twisty bits, but there's no excuse for driving like a d!ck. As with all roads, Bs have dangerous hazards that have to be expected, so as AndyG said (and I'm kicking myself for not having pointed out too), drive within the limits of your brakes and lights.

The original post didn't have a disclaimer on it for being aware of country life that populates the B roads, hence our 'uhmm...'s

 

Andy G

That theory works if you can stop in time for what you can see, however if what suddenly appears is not stationary and is actually comming towards you at the same speed exercising the same theory as your self - you may well get hurt or die!!

Keep the nutty stuff for the track

Andy

 

Muppet forum tractor beam on.....

 

I don't see why this has to be moved, its turning into a reasoned arguement?

 

B-roads (i.e. de-restricted NSL/GLF roads) - fun and challenging to drive fast, very little chance of being prosecuted for speeding.

Motorways, restricted (i.e. 30/40/50 speed limit areas) and (most) A-roads - not at all fun and challenging to drive fast, much higher chance of being prosecuted for speeding.

Obviously an over-simplification, but seems essentially true to me...

Andy

P.S. We could add: Race circuits - extremely fun and challenging to drive fast, zero chance of being prosecuted for speeding!

[This message has been edited by AndyG (edited 14 December 2000).]

 

B roads less likely to be done for speeding, MORE likely to have accidents and kill people.

A roads and motorways, more likely to be done for speeding and LESS likely to have accidents and kill people.

Anyone see something wrong here?

 

Seeing as you asked, yes! I basically disagree completely, but would modify my position to say perhaps that one is more likely to kill oneself (only) on a B-road. (I could go on boringly about acceptable risks/within your control/etc, but I won't.)

Obviously (?), on roads with lots of traffic and/or pedestrians you're more likely to kill them as well, which is bad.

Andy

[This message has been edited by AndyG (edited 14 December 2000).]

 

Agree with Andy G on this one - there are plenty of B roads (loads in Scotland/N. Yorks moors) that are open with good visibility so you can see what hazards are there/coming towards you.

But you can't generalise - it depends on the road and the conditions. A given road might be fine for 80 one minute, then 20 the next because a sheep is eyeing it up as a place to digest dinner - you've got to be aware of your surroundings.

Steve

 

Andy H: yes, of course there is always the risk of a heart attack victim coming in the opposite direction.

In that scenario though, I wouldn't fancy my chances much at either 60mph, or 90mph. There is always risk on the roads of course, but I believe you can minimise these, while still, dare I say it, *enjoying* the driving experience, even today.

The underlying point of my post was really my failure to understand the appeal of driving quickly in built up areas. Why do people complain about (most) speed cameras for example?

Andy

 

Andy H,

Roadcraft says "always be able to stop within the distance you can see to be clear - except when the road is a single track road and then it's be able to stop in half the distance you can see to be clear" (to account for the guy comming at you that you just mentioned!!).

Matt :-)

 

Ok, I'll be honest.

I sold my Scoob this week but when I had it I would enjoy driving fast on b-roads.

Too fast? - At times, probably yes

Dangerously? - I didn't think so

I'll probably be buying a Mondeo ST200 this weekend and perhaps a silly machine for weekend/track use. I won't drive the Mondeo as fast as the Scoob because I bought the Scoob to drive fast.

There's no 'disclaimer' in this paragraph, just honesty.

blubs

 

I agree, twisty B roads are v dangerous. I'm going to stick to speeding in 30/40mph zones

(ps, no I really do agree, I go far too fast on country lanes, getting esp dangerous now with all the flooding)

Gary

 

Mulder - don't worry, it's not my decision

I only live in the Muppet forum. Blowdog run MuppetTown

 

Isn't this a sort of "What sort of Roads Would You Take On?"

Look at the short shrift that got.

I have driven my car fast. On B roads across moors where I can see forward to the horizon and either side is devoid of vegetation.

I am always aware how brainless sheep are and have never hit one yet, likewise tractors, bumpkins, dogs etc. You must be able to see and think ahead AND BE PREPARED TO DO SOMETHING "PRO-ACTIVE" ABOUT IT.

I'll always give way to somebody regardless of who is in the right according to the Highway Code and I always expect the worst, and am frequently thankful that I do.

I am astonished at the number of people who over take when they cannot possibly know if anything is coming the other way, and I see this a lot on roads that I know very well. That to me is more "dangerous" than simply driving fast on familiar well sighted de-restricted B-Roads.

 

Barry
Speaking as a bumpkin, i'm glad to hear it...

 

I bought the Scooby for the B roads, not the A's or motorways (rather an Audi/BMW then).

The problem for me is that a fast car now is far more accomplished than, say, 10 years ago. I find that I reach my "sensibility" limits long before the car is at the limit.

It's still fun, but I dare not push myself too much at ridiculous speeds on a public highway unless the conditions are ideal.

I'm even concerned these days about not overtaking anyone with *too* much of a speed differential for fear of scaring them off the road - trackdays next year for me!

Perhaps we should all buy early mkI Mexico's again Or am I just showing my age....

Richard

 

Not just your age Richard, I agree. The Scooby's limits at higher speeds are pretty insane for any public road. But it's still enjoyable finding one's own limits is it not?

Besides, lower speed second gear (good visibility!) corners are still awesome fun in a scoob, if only to amaze yourself at the grip levels (and if your tyres are past their best, have some sideways fun at low-ish speeds!).

Andy

 

I can't believe some people on here - buy a fast car and then moan about anyone who admits to driving fast.

If road conditions and personal sill levels ,allow and not withstanding posted speed limits, there is NOTHING wrong with driving as quick as you feel fit. If something doesn't endanger someone else then what's the problem. Have any of you ever followed a group of traffic cops in convoy when they're on a training run - I think you'll find that they drive within their limits and within the limits of the road but at the same time make EXTREMELY rapid progress, well in excess of the speed limit on occasions.

A tip - get some training, read the Police manual Roadcraft and go and find some challenging, empty B roads. That's what Scoobies were designed for, using the torque to punch out of slow to medium corners, not blasting round a racetrack getting out of shape and pretending to be Mr Burns.

ChrisW.

 

cwal1

You obviously don't get on track much then

There is no blinkin way I can get anywhere near the limit in an Impreza, safely, on the vast majority of B roads. (IMHO) Although I do drive fast ( >60 officer ).

You can do this on track. This is why we do it

 

Barry,
RE your last paragraph, I'll behave this
Sunday,honest
LOL
Steve

 

For me driving enjoyment has nothing to do with how fast I can physically make the car go or how close I can get to its handling limits.

It is do with using the cars performance to make smooth, fun, fast, and above all SAFE progress along ANY type of road. My Impreza is by far the most rewarding car in that respect. Plus it sounds nice at full-throttle!

A roads, B roads, motorways, etc. they all come with their own sets of dangers, responsibilities and opportunities. The fun bit is adapting to, and exploiting these.

Andrew

 

Just have to get something off my chest..

It pi**es me off when somebody posts a message which involves driving at speed and ultimately there is always someone with a 'I am holier than thou' attitude to put people to rights.

Before I go on, I would like to say that I never do or condone anybody driving stupidly or dangerously on public roads.

Lets be honest, we are all here because the scooby has a cult following of which we are part of and it has that following for various reasons but mostly due to it's performance characteristics. Therefore I would estimate that a majority of people on this board enjoy drivng their car quickly.

BUT there can be a vast difference to driving a car quickly/close to the limit and driving it stupidly. I would also guess that MOST of the people who owns Scoobies are old enough and/or experienced enough to know the difference and drive accordingly.

So I wish some people would get off their high horses and stop giving lectures about driving stupidly unless of course the post obviously implies ludicrous driving, in which case it should be on the RS board

I realise that this is a BBS and everybody is entitled to their own opinion but I am saying lets have a bit of respect and value for each other's driving abilities.

There, rant over.

 

Rikki,
What're you on about? Yes respect. Yes discussion. Yes opinions. Otherwise everyone better shut up right?

Steve,

Or should that be "Dippy"? See you Sunday. Eye test using the Little Chef Menu OK with you?

Ha,ha.