People ostentatiously driving at 20 in a 30 zone with plenty of space, no wandering children or other pedestriansa clear road ahead

[HauntedBungalow]

... please go at speed. You're slowing journeys for everyone else for no reason.

Plus, you're wankers.

You need to pay attention to other road users. It's part of being a good driver.

Welcome to the world of competitive "I can drive the slowest, look at all my Reasons" on mumsnet OP.

Oh I totally agree op. Some people seem to wet themselves at the idea of going way below the speed limit, like they’re going to get some kind of special virtuous medal for doing so. The fact is, it’s only likely to rile up the people behind them who can drive confidently
and make them more likely to have to overtake. If people want to pootle along at 20 mph in a 30 zone, then crack on but ffs pull over and let those that can handle their cars at 30 go in ahead.

Yes of course I pay attention to them. But I'd never consider someone to be trying to communicate something about their personality through their driving 🤷 it's not that deep

Of course it is. It helps you anticipate what they'll do ahead on the road.

Come on, this is basic, surely?

Haha, amazing to see so many people not fussed when someone pointlessly wastes three minutes’ of their time. Must be nice to lead such a stressless life!

Yes exactly. Driving to the conditions of the road includes not driving too slow for it. If you're going too slow you're a shit driver.

How so? Most encounters on the road last a few seconds tops. I'm not sure how making a personality judgement about each driver would help me to anticipate their actions any better than just following the Highway Code. In fact it would probably just distract me and I imagine lead to a lot of unnecessary anger and road rage.

People wanting the person in front of them to rush in order to save them three minutes could just leave home three minutes earlier and then we can all relax and potter on gently.

If you want to potter, get a wheel and some clay.

Nope.

The one overtaking is responsible for their decision to overtake. If it's not safe to do so that's on them, whether it's someone pootling along at 20 in a 30 and annoying them, a vehicle that can't go any faster than that, a cyclist, horses whatever the reason the overtake is attempted, the responsibility lies with the person doing the overtaking to make sure it's safe.
Is it frustrating? Yes, but if I'm overtaking then it's my decision to do so and I don't get to blame someone else if it goes wrong.

If you decide to risk-take and drive dangerously to overtake a slow driver, then you are responsible for your own actions… and you talk about adequate risk assessments ?!🤣🤣

I can't get to work on a potter's wheel I'm afraid. Your only solution is to leave home earlier given that you can't control other road users.

30 is the limit. It's not a target. A maximum. Don't be so impatient, you'll get there barely any quicker if you went faster.

I’m genuinely concerned that people on this thread don’t seem to realise driving too slowly for the conditions can be dangerous.

It’s all very well saying if someone overtakes it’s their responsibility not the person they overtook who driving at 20mph just for the fuck of it - and that’s true, as far as it goes. But we should all drive having regard to the fact that other road users, pedestrians etc may not act sensibly or reasonably. Driving unnecessarily slowly increases the risk of an accident

Road safety is about reducing the chances of accidents as far as possible, not saying you can drive in a way which increases risk if ultimately the accident is someone else’s fault.

😂

Perhaps leave 3 minutes earlier?

YANBU OP - I failed my driving test because I drove at 25mph in a 30 limit. Apparently 27 - 28 is the sweet spot.

Driving far too slowly (in the case your mention it's 30% lower - imagine doing that on the motorway!) makes people do risky manoeuvres to get around you. It's actually more dangerous to drive too slowly.

And please don’t drive at 45 mph in lane 2 of the M6 (no hold ups, nothing in lane 1)

@HauntedBungalow

my biggest bugbear is people don’t know what the national speed limit sign means. Where I am it’s a 60mph road to work yet 50% of cars to not speed up at all once they go past the white circle with black stripe, they stay at 30 or even drop to 20! 6 miles at 20mph vs 60 mph makes a difference if you do it twice a day.

I was told that I would fail my driving test for driving too slowly. I was told to aim to be within 10% of the limit.

Straight and clear road with no obstacle and good weather conditions, of course a consistent 20 MPH is too slow.

See also:

• 40 mph in a 60 who then carry on to do 40mph in the 30
• trying to join a 70mph dual carriageway at 45mph - I’m often stuck behind these and it’s terrifying
• 55mph in the middle lane, not overtaking, clear left hand lane.

If this is the main road into Worcester through Barbourne, yes. Totally. Happens all the time. Drives me mad because everyone joins from the side roads and you get pushed further back at the lights.

Though must remember some people are visitors and are looking for places. i must be patient, I must be patient....

Absolutely agree OP - and to everyone with the 'it's a limit' guff, try saying that in your driving test and see how you get on. There are absolutely areas where 20mph is an appropriate limit, but on an A road in clear conditions with little/no traffic, cyclists or pedestrians? Nah.

You are NBU op, some of the worst drivers on the road are ones that refuse to go anywhere near the recommended speed for the road.

You can see them looking in their mirrors being more bothered that you're behind them, impatient at their complete lack of confidence to drive properly, than looking at the road in front. Just look at the road and drive to the limit!!

Where I live there is a big hoo haa about putting in 20mph limits, it's going to get very frustrating to live here if it happens

But 30 is the limit. No matter what the limit is you should always still do your own risk assesment constantly as it can change. We have a 30 limit road near us but there are a lot of parked cars on it od going 30 in some parts is reckless. I think the problem here might be that you are one of those drivers who think you rule the road. Do you also drive aggressively close to anyone not going quick enough for you.