To think these speeding drivers are selfish scum?

[strruglingoldteach]

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?

AK if you are in a residential area then it is never appropriate to be going more than 30mph. Because even if its fairly quite there will be pedestrians about. Obviously outside a school at school run time you should be going 20 or less, but that doesn't mean that 45 is ok when there are fewer pedestrians about.

Speed removes the chance to react to the child appearing or oap crossing slowly unexpectedly. So yes, speed kills

spongebob13

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

It's legal to drive without a seat belt while reversing (and when making deliveries where stops are less than 50m apart, apparently).

Cars I've driven with an electric parking brake won't automatically release the brake if the driver's seat belt isn't engaged; it can still be manually released.

speed restrictors installed on cars in certain areas

Some manoeuvres are safer if performed quicker (overtaking - the less amount of time you are on the opposite side of the road, the better); hitting a speed limiter at the wrong time could really mess up someone's day.

or on new drivers or something along those lines

This sort of development is coming in - telematics insurance policies for young drivers monitor how they drive, and limit when they can drive.

as well as fancy spotlights having panoramic mirrors as an option as well for keeping an eye on things etc.

I'm not sure what you're referring to here - a wide-angle mirror is going to make things appear very very small, so it will be more difficult to resolve an object in the mirror until it's very close.

Spongebob I only put my seatbelt on once i'm fully on the road and will definitely not need to reverse again. What shocks me is children unrestrained in the backs of cars.

What i would like to see is anybody caught doing a traffic crime is to pay the £60 fine do away with points and pay £250 start off for traffic education. you will only get your licence back once the course has been completed. It will get more expensive depending on the severity of the crime. You will only be able to do this course to the maximum of 3 times after that you lose your licence.

Catmint

Whether or not anyone agrees with speed restrictions, they aren't a choice.

They kind of are: they are laws and there are punishments if those laws are broken, but an individual very much can choose to exceed a speed limit; they are then subject to any punishments that go with breaking that law.

Ok, I expressed myself badly. Anyone can choose to break any law. But these laws are just as valid as any others.

I just wish they were better enforced.

When I attended a speed awareness course (yes, I was bad, and I make no excuse, I was in the wrong) the thing that had the most profound effect was the description of the criteria for speed cameras. If there's a mobile camera (police van) parked there regularly, there's been at least one fatal accident. A fixed camera indicates at least three fatal accidents. Whenever I see a camera I think of the families who've lost someone at that spot.

Everyone should attend those courses, whether or not they're ever caught speeding.

"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. "

This statement really pissed me off!!!!

I have a couple of bikers in my family, I would rather they didn't but they like it. Yes you get the idiots that weave their bikes and speed, but more often than not, car drivers are not aware enough to see bikes around them, why else would there be a "think, bike" campaign. Its why bikers drive around with their lights on, so cars can't bloody miss them.

There have been several fatal accidents involving bikers in my area. One of which was decapitated by an incompetent, foreign lorry driver. Yes of course though, its the poor innocent car drivers that are the ones who suffer isn't it?

Catmint

I just wish they were better enforced.

I don't have statistics, but I would expect traffic offences to be one of the more highly policed areas.

YANBU.

The head mistress of my primary school was knocked down and killed on a pedestrian crossing by a speeding driver who just didn't see her until it was too late.

A couple of years later my friends mother was killed on a crossing on the same stretch of road. I still remember my friend being taken out of class by the deputy head. We could hear her crying in the office down the hall after she was told.

The lollipop lady at my middle school was knocked down by a speeding driver who saw her walking out but thought he could get passed her in time.

An elderly customer at work was knocked down by a speeding taxi and left in the road at night for fifteen minutes while the taxi driver finished his job and returned to the scene. He seemed to think this was acceptable as he had a paying customer to think of first

yep.

driving today on a two-lane A-road in a short spell of lashing rain. Stream of traffic both ways. Dickhead in the tricked-up '4WD' just had to drive up the middle because it is so important to get there 10 seconds earlier.

hope he hits a tree soon, bloody nearly killed me.

Well based on some of the experiences on this thread, they still aren't well enforced enough.

And again, today....

Driving along the variable speed stretch of road. Road is wet, there is debris from trees all over it as a consequence of high winds. I'm just below the speed limit, keeping an eye out for fallen branches.

As I am in the 40mph stretch, a pickup truck is speeding along behind me, catches up and coasts along about 1 foot from my boot. We come to the 30 zone, I slow down, it gets even closer.
I indicated to turn off, slowed further and turned. Pickup truck slammed on brakes, hooted and flashed lights at me....