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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to drive at 50mph on motorways and dual carriage ways...

267 replies

BistoBear · 17/11/2011 22:05

...when the speed limit is 70mph?

I used to drive at 70-75mph but have cut down to 50mph and I am saving so much money due to reduction in fuel being used :) Before, on a full tank of petrol I could do two return journeys from halls/uni back to my home-town (150 miles) and I would need to refuel pretty quickly. I can now do THREE return journeys on one full tank and still have some left :)

I'm really happy to be saving money but I am a little bit worried about hindering other road users? So, am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
southeastastra · 17/11/2011 22:14

most lorries here drive at around 60 at the most Confused

Petisa · 17/11/2011 22:14

Yabu, it's dangerous to drive too slow on the motorway.

methsdrinker · 17/11/2011 22:15

And don't go slowly on the m56 Tis my motorway and I don't like clutter buckets on my motorway

trixymalixy · 17/11/2011 22:15

I think the speed limit is a target speed as well as a limit, hence why my friend failed her driving test for driving too far below the speed limit.

MrsJohnDeere · 17/11/2011 22:15

Yabu and very dangerous

GingerWrath · 17/11/2011 22:16

I think 50mph is the minimum on a motorway by law.

StrandedUnderTheMisltoe · 17/11/2011 22:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ElaineReese · 17/11/2011 22:16

Yes, of course you are, you bloody idiot!

southeastastra · 17/11/2011 22:17

oh come on if you can't slow down for someone who is going 50 you are driving way too fast in the first place

StrandedUnderTheMisltoe · 17/11/2011 22:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
BistoBear · 17/11/2011 22:17

So, would 60mph be more acceptable? Is 50mph really too far below the 70mph speed limit?

I detest people that hog the middle lane and would never use it unless overtaking, and I do speed up when overtaking and move back across when the overtake is complete.

I've been driving for 15+ years, ride a motrobike and used to drive my car too quickly. I've honestly never consciously thought about driving more sedately in order to conserve fuel.

OP posts:
Iggly · 17/11/2011 22:18

YABU. try driving more fuel efficiently when driving around urban roads - less hard braking, use highest gear, don't stick your foot on the gas, plan ahead a bit better.

FFSEnid · 17/11/2011 22:18

People won't expect you to be going that slow so may either brake suddenly or swerve around you. It makes the roads more dangerous for everyone else. 60 is fine but 50 is just too slow.

southeastastra · 17/11/2011 22:19

you would slam your brakes? you can judge from quite a way back how fast someone is drivng and what about lorries that only go about 60, are they dangerous too?

Petisa · 17/11/2011 22:19

How is 70 "way too fast"? 50 is really slow Yes, 60 much more acceptable OP.

Iggly · 17/11/2011 22:19

YABU. try driving more fuel efficiently when driving around urban roads - less hard braking, use highest gear, don't stick your foot on the gas, plan ahead a bit better.

ElaineReese · 17/11/2011 22:19

70 would be acceptable. 50 is just very annoying.

VivaLeBeaver · 17/11/2011 22:20

I was going to say 55mph is more economical.

My mother goes at 50mph and was once pulled over by the police on a duel carriage way. I think she was doing 45mph at the time though as it was a new car and "they need breaking in for the first 1000 miles"

Yeah maybe 50 years ago they did.

trixymalixy · 17/11/2011 22:20

60mph is far more acceptable. I think as long as you drive at the same speed as the trucks then it's fine. If you are forcing trucks to overtake you because of your speed then you are a hazard.

hermionestranger · 17/11/2011 22:21

Southeastastra if you are goig at 70 and come across someone pootling along at 50 you are going to have to throw the anchors out, it's not always easy to judge closing speeds of traffic ahead of you. OP YABU and dangerous.

southeastastra · 17/11/2011 22:21

no wonder people with caravans get such a hard time Grin

ElaineReese · 17/11/2011 22:22

You're driving at 5/7ths of the limit - so the same as if you drove at 21mph in a 30 zone. Which would be annoying and cause problems. Just get off the motorway if you don't like it.

Petisa · 17/11/2011 22:22

Sometimes you can't judge SEA, especially at night, I had that freaky experience on the motorway not so long ago where suddenly there is a car right in front of you and you have to break quite sharply. I think it was because the driver in front of me had overtaken the slow car so I didn't see it until I was quite close behind iyswim.

Original poster
BistoBear · 17/11/2011 22:23

Trust me, I am more than capable of driving at the national speed limit and beyond but I know that driving at slower speeds saves money.

I've just realised there's been a lot of replies, I'll have a wee read of them before writing any more :)

OP posts:
SarahStratton · 17/11/2011 22:23

Aren't you supposed to drive, conditions permitting, up to the speed limit? Just wondering if this would be covered by 'due care and consideration'?

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