To think 70mph is an acceptable speed in any motorway lane?

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

Disclaimer: I have only recently started driving on the motorway regularly

Surely whatever lane you're in, 70mph is an acceptable speed to be doing? I keep finding that when I'm in the fast lane (eg when overtaking cars in the middle lane) at 70mph, I find I have someone driving 2 metres behind me in a way that suggests they enjoy causing a pile up. Once I'm able to get back into the middle lane they will rush past at well over 70mph.

Did I miss the memo where the fast lane became part of the German Autobahn?

I agree banana. Leeds to London is a similar distance and is around 2 hours on the train, even travelling in from the suburbs, I can be in Central London in well under 3 hours.

If I was driving, I would probably have to allow 3.5 to 4 hours, especially if at rush hour and/or if I was on my own and would need to factor in a break or two.

I do have to travel to London on occasion but almost always go by train despite it being usually more expensive as it is quicker and parking would be difficult and expensive.

Travelling by car to places not served by high speed rail lines is usually much faster by car at current speed limits anyway.

When I visit my work clients, I usually have too much equipment to manage by public transport, but picking one at random on an industrial estate 2-2.5 hours away by car would take nearly 5 hours by public transport and take 2 buses, 3 trains and about 20 minutes of walking. And that's just one way. I normally visit 2 clients a day, so have to travel between them too.

And I re-iterate (after yesterdays ride home) - the only time I saw dangerous driving yesterday, it wasn't speed related.

People on phones mainly.

Although the amount of cars that just pull out/in around schools with no warning is fucking terrifying...

Trains are fine if you're going up/down the country.

Try going left/right...................

Yes, Illustriously, the example I quoted above was from Leeds to North Wales.

70mph only appropriate for dry roads in good visibility.

Disagree, Driving Miss Daisy. I hate the war on speed, it’s inappropriate speed, driving too close and lack of observation that causes accidents.

I can guarantee I drive safer at 90 than many others do at 70, because I’m constantly aware of what’s around me, leave plenty of distance between the car infront and anticipate what’s going on. This is where driving education is severely lacking and is the cause of many accidents.

I can guarantee I drive safer at 90 than many others do at 70, because I’m constantly aware of what’s around me, leave plenty of distance between the car infront and anticipate what’s going on
not smug at all then

And the problem is?

I can guarantee I drive safer at 90 than many others do at 70, because I’m constantly aware of what’s around me, leave plenty of distance between the car infront and anticipate what’s going on

But it's illegal. It doesn't matter how safe you think you are. I agree that speed isn't the whole story and texting while driving is far more dangerous, but it is not safe to drive at 90 either. Quite apart from the fact that you save very little time and use far more petrol.

Whether or not I drive at 70 or 90, the point is speeding isn’t the evil it’s made out to be. If as much effort was made to improve driving standards rather than just preventing people from speeding the roads would be a safer place.

However, things are changing with banning mobile phones and middle lane hogging.

Now if 2 second rule could be next and teaching people about zipper merges that would be great.

But it's illegal.

The endless MN cry......

Inappropriate Speed kills.

Inappropriate speeds can be slower than the limit, it all depends on the conditions.

I'll quite happily bang down the A1 on a clear, dry Summer evening at whatever speed I choose - secure in the knowledge that I can see everything that's coming up, there are no hidden obstacles & the road is empty.

People driving down the Main Road at 30 on a wet, dark morning are more of a danger.

Speeding doesn't kill, Inappropriate Speed does.....

Conclusive proof that driving on the motorway should be part of the driving test and compulsory testing every five years should be mandatory, even if it's just the theory part, it would be a start. The tailgaters are breaking the law. There is no fast lane, it's an overtaking lane. You should always pull back into the inside lane after overtaking. 70mph is the speed limit, not the 'must do at all times' speed.

There is no fast lane, it's an overtaking lane. You should always pull back into the inside lane after overtaking

Exactly, I don't understand why people are getting het up. As long as they pull in after overtaking so others can go past at their chosen speed, there should be no problems.

It's not the job of drivers to police other drivers. If someone want's to go faster than me, fair enough. Their choice, their problem.

you high speed drivers are clearly made of money and hate your kids. stuff the planet is a good mn strapline.

That's fascinating as I find the exact opposite. I can do door to door London to Manchester in just under 2h by train (fast train Virgin West coast mainline). The same journey by car takes at least 3.5h in perfect conditions, usually 4h+, often longer.

Obviously there's a sweet spot ... I'm in the Midlands.

But it's not just time - it's money. As I said, I had a really tight boss many years ago whose standing orders were all journeys had to be as cheap as possible. Which made it easier to hire a car for 2 days, than pay for a train ticket. How else can you have your arse on a seat in a meeting for 9am ?

The best time was when the line between New St. and Euston was being upgraded and the replacement coach service meant to get to Euston for 9, you had to set off at 20:00 the day before (and obviously stay in a hotel for a night).

So anyway, I stand by my point. The better you make roads, the shittier you realise the trains are.

I'll quite happily bang down the A1 on a clear, dry Summer evening at whatever speed I choose

Loving your posts on this thread! You defend your right to break the law to the hilt, bloody bravo I just hope it doesn't bite you in the arse one day.

There is no fast lane. We should only move from the inside to the outer lanes to overtake. If you are driving up the M6 to Scotland early in the morning at junction 36 there will be no traffic at all and you will be doing 70mph in the inside lane. If you are driving on the M5 up to the midlands you will probably be overtaking in the middle out outside lanes at 70mph. Lane hogging is not permitted!

If you are overtaking in the outside lane and making good progress at 70 that is OK if you are deliberately using this lane to hang about in at 70 that is an offence.

It's not the job of drivers to police other drivers. If someone want's to go faster than me, fair enough. Their choice, their problem

But the issue arises when you’re overtaking a couple of in the middle lane doing 65mph, who aren’t pulling in because of say trucks. So you’re in the outside overtaking lane at 70mph and the dude behind you wants to continue bombing along in the outside lane at 95mph so decides to drive up your arse for no damn reason. Yes you get sick heads at all speeds but these dickheads are doing it for no damn good reason.

I’m happy to admit I’m always a bit cynical of the gambit that the experienced driver knows best waffle. With good reason.

The village I grew up in we were unfortunately more than once first on the scene for one of the many many cars that thought instead of dropping down to 40mph like the signs said, they decided they were experienced enough to continue bombing along at 60mph or even increase their speed as it was a nice straight road, or so they thought. Sadly quite a few over the years didn’t get to live to regret their decision.

@HoneyDragon those aren't motorways or 3 lane dual carriageways though. I take single lane carriageways with the national speed limit signs with a pinch of salt and tend to drive under the speed limit as the roads are frequently not straight. I don't care if someone is up my bum as they soon learn to pull back.

Oh brilliant, an expert driver who knows how to drive for the conditions.

On motorways there's only one speed, regardless of conditions, and that is as fast as the police allow.

I've been on motorways during torrential rain and literally nobody slows down.

If the world was made of sensible, considerate people then we could abandon speed limits, safe in the knowledge that drivers would take care.

As it is, people drive like selfish arseholes and the one thing it's relatively easy to police is speed. So with luck, all the idiots texting, doing their hair and changing lanes at the same time won't be hit at 90 miles an hour.

Bluebug....absolutely I acknowledge that; but it’s why I personally tend to pissed of at people up my arse anywhere; it’s really influenced me as it don’t know if they’re a stupid twat who drives like that everywhere or someone who’s done the same stretch of motorway twice a day for the last twenty years, knows their shit and just wants to get home.

I once asked a police officer friend about this and his response was that you should move over to allow a speeding driver past because it was more dangerous to have someone frustrated behind you. For your own safety.

"I've been on motorways during torrential rain and literally nobody slows down. "

I do, and I saw many other people do so as well. Not EVERYONE mind you, and it was all the cars you'd expect. The middle lane was empty, everyone was split between "slowing for safety" and "audis doing 90"