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Original poster

Do you obey 20mph speed limits (be honest)?

172 replies

Londre · 22/05/2023 11:24

Where I live, the council has turned into our neighbourhood into a 20mph zone. Thankfully my car has cruise control which can be set at 20mph so it isn’t a problem for me but I’ve noticed some people are overtaking me! It’s a very pedestrianized area with a school, lots of shops and quite busy so quite surprised.

Do you obey 20mph speed limits? If not, why?

OP posts:
BogRollBOGOF · 22/05/2023 22:43

If it's naturally a 20mph due to needing care around hazards like parked cars, I was doing that anyway. I use one regularly and park in a marked space along it. Plenty do go down there at sufficient pace to make my car rock, and it's not a small tin can.

20mph on an open road is awful. You have a miserable engine holding back in 2nd gear and too much time checking the speedo rather than actually concentrating on the road. Fortunately I don't often use roads like that.

SinnerBoy · 22/05/2023 23:15

@TwigTheWonderKid

"Also can you explain exactly why the government wants to control our movements?"

Cos, like woo! Same reason they read your phone messages and put a camera in your toilet!

<Taps nose...

strawberryandcreams · 22/05/2023 23:19

No

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Driving & parking
SinnerBoy · 22/05/2023 23:21

It's all 20 mph where I live (Whitley Bay). Most people seem to take no notice, but I haven't seen anyone being stopped.

I stick to 20, it's easy in 2nd gear and listening to the engine noise. You don't need to keep your eyes glued to the speedo, anyone who does should practice by going out when it's quiet and getting the feel of the car.

That's the engine noise and sensing how fast you're going by keeping your eyes open for signs etc, as you pass them.

It's not very difficult, you just need a bit of practice. It could save you a ticket, or worse, from running somebody over.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 22/05/2023 23:25

No. The police don't either and don't seem to care that everyone speeds 🤷‍♀️

Bobbliest · 22/05/2023 23:28

I drive from one London borough to another (Ealing) for work and it’s 20mph. No-one seems to pay much attention. I am mindful that the speed is 20mph so drive at variety of speeds up to 30mph depending on where I’m at but probably more in the 25-27 zone. I drive through a lot of double parked residential streets and always think about possibility of a child running out so try not to go too fast.

Redebs · 23/05/2023 07:39

Huntler · 22/05/2023 21:55

Well yea obviously. My original comment though was in response to a pp saying she got pissed off with people speeding up between speed bumps. Which I do because otherwise nobody would get anywhere. I'm not mowing down schoolchildren, just driving along a road.

Show quote history

The speed bumps are to slow you down on the road as a whole, not just the bumps!

If you put your foot down after a bump, just as a kid runs out, it will be a disaster. It will take you longer to react, longer to stop and that could make all the difference.

Your attitude is way off for driving in these conditions. If it says 20, drive at 18 with your foot hovering over the brake.

yoga4meinthemorning · 23/05/2023 08:02

No

Shade17 · 23/05/2023 08:13

If I drive at 20mph I am either revving the F out of 2nd gear

I doubt that you are even at 50% of the redline, you are certainly not “revving the fuck out” of it.

Cuwins · 23/05/2023 08:20

@Huntler my issue isn't with people speeding up in between as such- it's the constant braking/accelerating- much better to do a constant speed, but also why do people feel the need to drop to 5mph to go over them- it's a speed bump not Mount Everest!

AuntieJune · 23/05/2023 08:21

I always do and now automatically drive at 20mph in a built up area (even if it's a 30)

But it's not enforced anywhere, I think they rely on compliant drivers holding the non compliant ones up!

I also cross the road not assuming oncoming traffic will be at 20mph

Hecate01 · 23/05/2023 08:25

No because I don't like driving spending more time looking at the speedo than the actual road. Can't wait until it's 20mph everywhere in Wales because the roads are bad enough now without Drakefords bright ideas, it's going to be faster to walk.

JuneShitfield · 23/05/2023 08:26

Cuwins · 23/05/2023 08:20

@Huntler my issue isn't with people speeding up in between as such- it's the constant braking/accelerating- much better to do a constant speed, but also why do people feel the need to drop to 5mph to go over them- it's a speed bump not Mount Everest!

Going over a speed bump too quick can knacker the car’s suspension or dampers. Some lower cars can bottom out and scrape the splitters or the lower part of the bumper.

Also it’s bloody uncomfortable bouncing over speed bumps too fast.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 23/05/2023 08:34

Cuwins · 23/05/2023 08:20

@Huntler my issue isn't with people speeding up in between as such- it's the constant braking/accelerating- much better to do a constant speed, but also why do people feel the need to drop to 5mph to go over them- it's a speed bump not Mount Everest!

Because they don't want to damage their cars?

NectarCard · 23/05/2023 08:35

Yes, everyone can piss off if i irritate them on the roads 🤣

TheOrigRights · 23/05/2023 08:37

Yes. After 3 speeding fines (55 in 50, 35 in 30 and another 55 in 50) I will never speed again. I have learnt my lesson.

TooOldForThisNonsense · 23/05/2023 08:39

Where they are mandatory - yes

where they are just advised - not always. Would if it was a time schools are going in or out, lots of kids likely to be out playing etc

SerendipityJane · 23/05/2023 08:49

Be interesting when they start putting average speed cameras around them.

TallulahBetty · 23/05/2023 08:54

Yes, I stick to every speed limit. Without cruise control.

lieselotte · 23/05/2023 09:09

Cuwins · 23/05/2023 08:20

@Huntler my issue isn't with people speeding up in between as such- it's the constant braking/accelerating- much better to do a constant speed, but also why do people feel the need to drop to 5mph to go over them- it's a speed bump not Mount Everest!

It depends on your car, I have to go over them very gently in mine, it does not like going over them faster.

On a 30 limit road you should be able to do 30 over them, but I have to do about 10!

lieselotte · 23/05/2023 09:10

Also, as a pp said, it is uncomfortable. Also on a bike. It is very annoying when speed bumps don't have a gap at the side for bikes to go through.

lieselotte · 23/05/2023 09:10

Hecate01 · 23/05/2023 08:25

No because I don't like driving spending more time looking at the speedo than the actual road. Can't wait until it's 20mph everywhere in Wales because the roads are bad enough now without Drakefords bright ideas, it's going to be faster to walk.

I think that's the idea Grin

Ilkleymoor · 23/05/2023 09:20

Yes, possibly because I learnt in an area with 20mph limits everywhere and also because I'm fairly new to driving. Was quite surprised to have a family member tell me that there were no cameras in one 20mph area so I could go faster - there's a playground on one side and a park on the other so the likelihood of a child running out is quite high.

I have noticed that I used to be at 16/18 while I was getting used to being on the roads whereas now I'm always pushing at 20 and have to make the effort to stay there so I think it's easy to get lazy/think it's close enough/get comfortable with speed so 20 seems v slow.

AMuser · 23/05/2023 09:26

I really should but I don’t. Driving at 19 is painfully slow. I can do it in built up residential areas but here we have it on Main roads and I struggle. Sorry sorry

SinnerBoy · 23/05/2023 09:32

but also why do people feel the need to drop to 5mph to go over them- it's a speed bump not Mount Everest!

Beaten to it, but it will knacker your suspension and cost loads to fix.