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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Ignoring speed limit on motorways

50 replies

agedknees · 27/06/2017 17:08

On Friday the motorway near me was restricted to 30mph because of the appalling condition of the road surface (lots of loose chipping).

So me and most cars slowly going 30mph. However, everyone knows this does not apply to lorries who thundered past doing 60mph.

Result, a 12 inch crack on my windscreen cause by a large stone chip.
Aibu to think a speed limit applies to everyone. (Fuming cos I have had to pay £100 and it's near the end of the month.

OP posts:

bigbluebus · 27/06/2017 17:22

It is annoying and unfortunate but I had 2 cracked windscreens in the space of 6 months and neither happened on a motorway or a road that had just been surface dressed.

ratspeaker · 27/06/2017 17:53

Lot to be said for speed cameras at mway roadworks.

Artisanjam · 27/06/2017 18:25

Yanbu. There is a dual carriageway near me which has a section of 50 limit. It's a permanent limit with an average speed camera. I generally do about 52 on my satnav and lorries come up behind flashing and tail gating.

alltouchedout · 27/06/2017 18:29

I get so confused about speeds on the motorway. DH thought I was joking when I asked did the speed limit not apply there, but I wasn't- no one seems to stick to it. If I ever get my driving license I am going to find motorways very stressful. On the one hand you are told 70mph is the limit, on the other even I can see that insisting on 70 when everyone else is doing 80 isn't going to work. Why is it OK to speed on the motorway? Will someone who isn't going to laugh at me please explain?

ratspeaker · 27/06/2017 19:07

I always stick to the speed limit on motorways.
(My van has a limiter on it.)

I find it annoying when there are roadworks with a posted limit which people ignore but I took great delight in reading the fines sent out to drivers on the Edinburgh/Glasgow motorway who ignored the posted limits during the recent upgrades

I also stick to the speed limits around here which are 20 mph . I refuse to be ontimidated by the special snowflakes who think rules of the road couldnt possibly apply to THEM.

Angrybird123 · 27/06/2017 19:33

all of you want to stick at 70 then do, but stay in the left hand lane unless you are overtaking. You'll find lorries there doing 55/60 that you'll need to pass fairly regularly but don't just sit in the middle lane at 70. And people do get caught for speeding on motorways too.

Angrybird123 · 27/06/2017 19:34

Also OP does your insurance not cover windscreen damage excess free? They usual do.

CircleofWillis · 27/06/2017 19:38

Angry bird why not just sit in the middle lane at 70? That's what I do (well maybe 73). I had no idea that would be annoying.

furryelephant · 27/06/2017 19:46

@CircleofWillis I'm pretty sure it's against the law to hog the middle lane of motorways

pidgewidgeon · 27/06/2017 20:13

Staying in the middle lane generally blocks drivers in the slow lane from moving out when they need to overtake slower lorries or vans etc.

Just makes it more difficult for everyone else!

Njordsgrrrl · 27/06/2017 20:18

That would really annoy me OP

Variable speed limits give me the rage in general. Congestion ahead, sixty mph. Fine. But no cunto does it! They all put their foot down like it's somehow going to solve the problem not make it worse. Whilst ignoring the signs telling people they can use the hard shoulder...

showergel1 · 27/06/2017 20:21

Also had this discussion with DW who's just learnt to drive. Police car was doing well above 70 on the fast lane today (no blues). We tootled along happily on the slow lane.
We like the idea of Germany where they go as fast as is safe.

Coddiwomple · 27/06/2017 20:27

why not just sit in the middle lane at 70?

Is that a real question? The middle lane is to OVERTAKE! It's so bloody dangerous when ignore the most basic rules of driving.

I wish there were speed cameras to go with temporary lower speed limits.

Bishybarnybee · 27/06/2017 20:34

OK, I'm going to show my ignorance here too.

Left lane = often around 50 - 60 MPH.

Outer lane = often 80mph plus.

Surely you then drive in the middle if you want to do the speed limit?

If the left lane was doing 70, I'd be in it. But if it's generally doing a lot slower than the speed limit, surely you are OK doing the speed limit in the middle?

And if the middle lane if for overtaking, what is the outer lane for?

Prepared to be shouted at, obvs.

RB68 · 27/06/2017 20:45

you drive left lane if there is room for you and there are no slower moving vehicles. You can drive up to 70 in any lane legally. You DO NOT drive in the middle or outside lane if there is room for you on the left you pull in.

Nicketynac · 27/06/2017 20:48

bishy If the left lane is slower than you, then you are overtaking them in the middle, so that's ok. It's only hogging if you drive in it when the left hand lane is clear or going at the same speed as you.
The right hand lanes near me seem to be for arseholes doing much more than the speed limit.

4yoniD · 27/06/2017 20:51

I don't "get" motorway speed limits either.

I never hog the middle lane, but theoretically since the maximum speed limit is 70 it would make perfect sense to sit in the middle lane doing 70, as obviously no one would speed so no one would be driving any faster!

Alternatively, since very few people drive at/under 70 (including giant HGVs and all sorts), why don't they say feck it lets change the maximum speed to 80? Maybe if the speed limit was more realistic, people would stick to it.

Coddiwomple · 27/06/2017 20:51

Bishybarnybee (and others) here you go.

The legal speed limit is the same on every single lane btw!!!

Sirzy · 27/06/2017 20:52

bishy please say you don't drive if you believe that?

EpoxyResin · 27/06/2017 20:53

Was it definitely a mandatory speed limit and not advisory? Often for loose chippings the temporary speed limit signs are just advisory - so if it's a rectangular sign, often underneath a triangular warning sign, it's only advisory.

And heavens, middle lane drivers, no! It is not for driving in at 70! You should drive in the most left-hand lane possible and use lanes available to your right only to pass things in your lane!

Bishybarnybee · 27/06/2017 21:17

Sirzy which bit?

As Nicketynac seems to be saying - if the inside lane is doing 55, I'm overtaking if I sit in the middle lane. And on a crowded motorway, that's true most of the time.

As I said, if the inside lane is doing 70, I'm in it.

Surely that's correct?

Brightsmoke · 27/06/2017 21:25

@Bishybarnybee, if the left hand lane to you, be it lane 1 or 2, has a gap where you can comfortably fit in without having to pull back out in 20 seconds, you should be in it. Just because somewhere ahead there is a vehicle going 55-60, doesn't mean you can sit in the middle/outside lane waiting to overtake them.

And @showergel1, sometimes the police or other emergency services are on an immediate run but don't need to have the blue lights going

Groupie123 · 27/06/2017 21:36

Crack implies there was already a chip you failed to take care of?

PurpleMinionMummy · 27/06/2017 21:42

I love how there's not a single vehicle on the inside lane of that picture. Why, WHY do people insist on driving in the middle lane when the left one is bloody empty?!!

Bishybarnybee · 27/06/2017 21:47

I don't know where you are all finding all these empty motorways.

Not the M6 this weekend anyway.

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