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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think these speeding drivers are selfish scum?

63 replies

strruglingoldteach · 24/10/2013 07:26

And to not be able to understand how they can do it?

Two weeks ago there was a fatal accident about 50 metres from my home. A pensioner was killed as she crossed the road. The driver was arrested for careless driving and being unfit due to drink/drugs. I don't know if he was charged.

The accident happened shortly before the school run and dozens of families had to walk past the scene, with the poor lady's body still there, just covered with a blanket. Terribly distressing for all concerned and my heart just goes out to her family.

What I can't get my head around is the utter selfishness of the twats who I still see speeding down the same stretch of residential road.How the fuck can they justify it to themselves? They're literally speeding right past an accident sign and the piles of flowers- they can't not know.

I usually go past quite early, so still dark- maybe they're assuming no one will be crossing at that time? I'm pretty sure I'm NBU, but can anyone explain why people think this is ok?

OP posts:
DrivingToDistraction · 24/10/2013 10:20

YANBU - I am a new driver and I have a daily commute down a rural A-road. It varies between NSL and 30/40 areas through villages and has some bends where you need to slow down. I am not a slow driver and generally, when safe, drive to the speed limit but I get someone driving up my backside literally every day! If they race to overtake me they only end up behind a tractor further on anyway so what's the point in getting so wound up? Does my head in!

feebeecat · 24/10/2013 10:25

YANBU and speed DOES kill.
This morning I have had to walk my children to school passing an accident on the crossing we should be using to get there. Of the cars involved one was up on the pavement (where firemen were in the process of cutting the roof off) and both were facing the wrong direction. I seriously doubt it's possible to achieve this without speed being involved.
This also meant that the main road in the area was closed, with traffic being diverted. I can't tell you the number of people I passed on the way home who were speeding up/down the much smaller side roads due to being held up.
People just need to slow down and have some ruddy patience!

AKAK81 · 24/10/2013 10:28

Nope - once again it's inappropriate use of speed that kills.

ObamasElfWithAOuijaBoard · 24/10/2013 10:33

Absolutely. I've recently passed my test and have only had my car for two weeks. I stick to the speed limit. Why would I risk my family or anyone else?

There was an accident local-ish to me this week. A woman had parked her car and got out. She was then hit and killed by a speeding drunk driver. Heartbreaking.

MyCamperVan · 24/10/2013 10:39

Our village pulled together about the speeding issues, raised awareness, went out with the speed indicator devices and now the council are putting in more measures to reduce speeds. Shame though that since we have been waiting another person has died.

AKAK81 · 24/10/2013 10:45

Obamas you are already risking your family and others by being a newly qualified driver. You probably won't like that but it's true. Obviously though you have to go through that period to become an experienced driver but don't think for a minute that sticking to the limit makes you some kind of super safe driver. Passing your test means you meet the absolute bare minimum standards of driving.

Anniegetyourgun · 24/10/2013 10:50

Well of course it's inappropriate use of speed that kills. Rocketing through a residential area at 45 is inappropriate.

OP, YANBU, but I'm afraid anti-speeding threads never end well.

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 24/10/2013 11:07

What a silly post
Just sticking to the speed limit doesn't make you a perfect driver but it's one of many factors and two otherwise equal drivers one who speeds and one who doesn't, the non in speeder is a safer driver.

I hate people who make excuses for their dangerous selfish arrogant behaviour. If it were just ones own life that was put at risk fine, but it's not. It's every other person out there. You don't even have to leave the house to be at risk from someone who speeds.

AKAK81 · 24/10/2013 11:07

Rocketing through a residential area at 45is inappropriate.

Of course it is. 30mph past a school at 3.30pm can quite easily be inappropriate as well in poor conditions but I wonder how many people just trundle past at 30 believing that because they're not speeding it's perfectly safe.

ObamasElfWithAOuijaBoard · 24/10/2013 11:09

AKAK81 Of course I know that! Any new driver who thinks that is extremely naïve. As long as I drive as carefully as I can then I know that I am doing my very best to keep my passengers safe whilst I am on the road and gaining confidence and experience.

Twattyzombiebollocks · 24/10/2013 11:30

Some people think it won't happen to them, some people just don't learn. I went out with a bloke once who had been seriously injured when his drunk friend crashed the car with him in it (in intensive care for several days) less than two years later he was arrested for driving the wrong way down a motorway slip road whilst blind drunk. Readers, I dumped him.

Anniegetyourgun · 24/10/2013 11:45

I wonder how many people just trundle past at 30 believing that because they're not speeding it's perfectly safe

Oh, absolutely right, but it's not a reason not to enforce speed limits. For example, in your judgement the conditions may be perfect to go past that school at 50mph when it's closed. But then some twit of a pedestrian steps out from between parked vans, or some twit of a driver pulls suddenly out from a side road, and you're buggered because with the best reflexes, and the best brakes, in the world you are simply not going to be able to stop in time at the speed you're going. The fact that it is not your fault someone else did something stupid does not prevent an accident from happening. This does not happen on the Autobahn because there are no concealed turnings, parked cars or pedestrians. It's designed for whizzing about at speed. There's a debate to be had about whether motorways in the UK can/should be deregulated, but this is not that thread. The OP is talking about keeping speed moderate in an area full of squishy people and obstructions. Anyone who doesn't do that is asking for trouble.

You may indeed have full, total confidence in your own judgement, skills, reflexes, and the mechanical soundness of the machine you currently drive. But do you have that much confidence in everyone else's?

MrsCosmopilite · 24/10/2013 11:47

We live a few minutes from an A road. Our road is a sort of conduit to another A road. However, as it's residential with a daycare nursery, village hall, and playing fields, it's a 30 zone. This is clearly signposted at both ends of the road. Plus the street lights and houses make it fairly obvious.

We have one of those signs that tell you how fast you're going, but the only purpose it seems to serve is for people to try to set it off.
We also have a zebra crossing at the top of the road, which many drivers tend to ignore. There's a 'children crossing' sign as you approach the hall.

Activities take place in the hall most evenings, as well as at another hall location just along the road, both are within the 30 zone.
People regularly speed along the road, doing at least 45, sometimes 50 or 60. I assume they do this because once you're past the houses, there's a deresticted section of road. There have been two fatalities on my road in the last four years, and six on the derestricted section in the past five years.

I'd love a speed camera on the road, but I suspect it'd be too costly to install. I am considering contacting the council to ask if they can put up more of the crossing signs.

Damnautocorrect · 24/10/2013 11:59

We have a lot of biker deaths round here due to speed and obviously I feel desperately sorry for the rider and families I feel more sorry for the innocent car drivers who obviously end up feeling responsible.

I do think further training should be given for everyone learning to drive so they realise the dangers of inappropriate speed and mobiles whilst driving.

KCumberSandwich · 27/10/2013 10:47

Drivig takes years of experience. i passed my test in april (after taking over a year's worth of lessons) but i know for a fact i am not experienced enough yet.

i actually agree with what AK is saying about tougher driving tests or even a compulsory advanced course after you pass before you can get your license.
more needs to be done to ensure drivera can deal with unexpected events- not just the general 60mph and pottering around town. yes i know how to reverse park, pay attention to road signs, and drive carefully- would i know how to keep control of my car if it suddenly started to skid? no. well only from what my mother (37 years driving) has verbally explained to me.

DrHolmes · 27/10/2013 18:09

Wholeheartedly agree with AKAK81, as usual.

GreenVelvet · 27/10/2013 19:04

YASoNU. And what hacks me off even more is if one of those complete bastards happens to be behind you (who is doing the speed LIMIT) then they act like you are the one in the wrong.

I hate them, I think they are c**ts, and I never have used that term on MN before.

I would like to do a thread asking why we have speed limits in this country when only 50% of the population observe them.

GreenVelvet · 27/10/2013 19:05

I think there should be fucking speed cameras everywhere by the way, as so many people think they are completely above the law!

LaGuardia · 27/10/2013 19:09

Yes, OP, and they are usually driving an Audi.

GreenVelvet · 27/10/2013 19:15

A white Audi.

Catmint · 27/10/2013 19:22

Yanbu.

Whether or not anyone agrees with speed restrictions, they aren't a choice. Like not driving whilst holding your mobile, or nor wearing a seatbelt.

Just grow the fuck up!

spongebob13 · 27/10/2013 19:33

what I cant understand is with today's technology why they cant install things in cars like car wont start until seat belt is on, or speed restrictors installed on cars in certain areas or on new drivers or something along those lines or as well as fancy spotlights having panoramic mirrors as an option as well for keeping an eye on things etc.

WMittens · 27/10/2013 19:39

The driver was arrested for careless driving and being unfit due to drink/drugs.

who I still see speeding down the same stretch

WTF?

WMittens · 27/10/2013 19:42

Backinthering

you're the petrol head who likes to do 160 on the autobahn aren't you?

What relevance does that have to conforming to or exceeding a 30mph limit in a residential street?

FortyDoorsToNowhere · 27/10/2013 19:45

It's not the speed, it's the stopping distance.

You may be able to handle a car at 100mph or more on a track that is designed to be driven on at high speeds.

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