Speed limits - please explain

[wherestheaircon]

You're driving through the country roads. You're in a 30mph zone going through a school - fair dos - best not to risk any kids running into the road so let's stick to the limit. HOWEVER. You drive another mile or so and pass a clearly labelled "40"mph but you carry on doing 30 - sometimes you even dip down to 25, and break randomly with no reasoning (to add, I'm keeping a very reasonable and safe distance between our vehicles). The roads aren't that busy - couple of cars here and there but it's definitely safe to go up to 40mph otherwise they wouldn't put that restriction on.

So why in the world are you STILL doing 30 when you've entered a 40 zone??!!! You even drive through a 60mph zone and creep up to 40mph but no further than that. I am being so genuine when I ask that, if this sounds like you, why? I'm sure if there's a reasonable explanation I will be ok...

Also, Magnums, when the learner comes off the ‘special tracks’, they’ll still need to build confidence on actual roads. I think if you want to use the road you need to anticipate that there may be some slower road users out there and just try to be safe when you encounter one. Not a lot else you can do really.

Also just wanted to make the point that just because a road is technically a 60mph limit, it doesn't mean that you should be anywhere near that speed on the road. There are some near me when you would be unreasonable to do more than 20mph, they are narrow, winding, and round the bend may be a tractor, cyclist or horse. So no, it isn't good advice across the board to say to drive near to the speed limit.

Plus road conditions, visibility etc.

My commute used to be along roads which you couldn't overtake on, and the speed limits were reasonable in my opinion. For example, there is a stretch which has a few sharp bends, and the speed limit rightly reduces well in advance of this; the rest of the route is largely straight and passes through a view villages, which again, the speed limit rightly drops. People drive so slowly on the national speed limit stretches which are straight, good visibility up ahead in fair conditions, and wide enough that if a truck for example is coming the other way you're not impacted on your side of the road. It used to drive me bananas. A 40 minute journey routinely took well over an hour, and this was leaving early in the morning to try and avoid traffic (although I tried multiple times in the end to see if it was better at particular times of the morning). EURGH. People used to make dangerous overtakes to get past those going sometimes half the speed limit, people will say be patient etc but honestly, when your journey is being doubled daily or you are trying to get to the hospital for an appointment along this route, it was so annoying. If conditions are good and the speed limit is sensible (some country lanes are not suitable for 60mph even though technically it's legal) then please try to keep up with the speed of the road. If it's a new route that's understandable, but a straight road with no turnings etc for miles? No! Don't drive if you aren't confident with that.

People used to make dangerous overtakes to get past those going sometimes half the speed limit

vicious circle, they are the ones who make people slow down!
I agree that doing 5mph on a 60mph road is ridiculous, but doing 40-50? annoying possibly, but not worth getting worked up about. When you can, overtake, when you can't just realise it doesn't even delay you that much.

The only time I get really angry about drivers on MY road is when I have a bleeding child that I rush to A&E, but I admit I am not 100% reasonable there. It doesn't happen very often!

@MonkeyToesOfDoom

Okay then, carry on driving like an incompetent arse with no consideration for other road users and if it pushes people who wouldn't normally overtake to take risks, it's 100% their fault for not just sucking up your shitty inconsiderate driving.

Cloud cuckoo land.

Gummybear11

Quick question.
If i walked down the street in a mini Skirt and got attacked, is that my fault or the choice of the attacker?
If I drew £3k out my bank and used it like a fan in the middle of London and then got mugged, is that my fault or the muggers?

Just curious.

if it pushes people who wouldn't normally overtake to take risks, it's 100% their fault

of course it's their fault!
If they are competent enough to go behind a wheel, they should have a minimum of reasonable intelligence preventing them from doing stupid things.

If you are too close to the car in front of you on the motorway and they slam on their break, and you end up smashing into them, it's YOUR fault. You shouldn't be so close.

Unless you have absolutely no choice - like overtaking a twat parked in a blind bend and you can't stay there all day!, it's YOUR fault for taking stupid risks. You don't know why someone is slowing down, it doesn't matter, you should drive safely too.

I agree, someone speeding in a 30 mph zone is completely in the wrong.

😂

It's selfish, inconsiderate driving to drive way under the speed limit with no good reason other than your own timidness, laziness, incapabilities etc

You can fail your driving test for driving too slowly, it's seen for what it is - incompetence.
You can be pulled over and fined by police for driving too slowly - it is classed as driving without due care.
The link between driving and causing others road rage is well recognised hence why driving way below speed limit is discouraged.

But go ahead and continue to drive like a selfish twat like I said...let's hope you don't trigger an accident one day.

And I don't think the police would pull you to the side and fine you for wearing a mini skirt. Don't make silly comparisons.

The link between driving and causing others road rage is well recognised

So how many people are in prison right now for causing road rage in others? Cause you know most judges don't accept,
"He made me do it" as a good excuse.

If you want to continue driving like an inpatient arse that eventually kills themselves because you couldn't bare being delayed by 3 minutes to get to the anal doctor, that's your fault, no one else's.

It's selfish, inconsiderate driving to drive way under the speed limit with no good reason

do you know WHY someone is driving under the speed limit though?
You don't agree or don't know the reasoning behind it, it doesn't make it wrong.

I drive as fast or as slow as I see fit and safe. If you try to intimidate me, I slow down. If you try to race me, I ignore you (because that happens to).

If you cannot be on the road without going into road rage because someone doesn't reach what you have decided is the correct speed, you really shouldn't be allowed to drive. You are not safe. You are also the reason why many people slow down.

Where did I say the police would?

You're the one saying dangerous behaviour is justified in their actions if someone else causes them a mild inconvenience.
I really.must remember it as a defense strategy..
"Nah it weren't shoplifting your honour, the checkout operator was too slow so I just took the shopping, not my fault, I was in a rush."

And where did I say that the ones with road wage weren't also responsible? I'm pointing out that your assertion that the shit drivers holding everybody up for no good reason are not at all responsible is incorrect.

"Driving without due care or reasonable consideration for other road users"

And really, comparing slow (dangerous) drivers to a woman wearing a skirt or a slow checkout operator is ridiculous.

Simply proves your complete lack of self awareness/pursuit of road safety/consideration for others.

This thread has been quite eye-opening. I have often wondered about the people bimbling along at 40 in a 60 on wide, clear roads and whether they really are just utterly selfish and think their comfortable speed is appropriate. It appears in many cases that is what is happening. That people really don't think they have a responsibility to drive at the speed expected on the road because they really don't care about any other drivers. How depressing.

I don't think everybody gives the same definition to the expression "shit drivers".

I'm pointing out that your assertion that the shit drivers holding everybody up for no good reason are not at all responsible is incorrect.

Nah you just trying to justify your own bad driving and the fact you can't drive without getting irate at other drivers.
Here's a tip... I'd you are getting angry at someone, it is entirely you that is responsible for your own actions. No one else, now excuse, it's all on you.. drive safe, in the words of the ever immortal and safety conscious MN, Go Well. Hope your anal issues correct themselves soon.

they have a responsibility to drive at the speed expected on the road because they really don't care about any other drivers.

I am amazed, but sadly not that surprised, that some people could think they should!

Of all the bad behaviour on the road, slower drivers come at the bottom of my list, at least they are not dangerous.

Although no minimum speed limit in the UK it can be considered an offence if causing an obstruction

www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/988800/driving-too-slowly-fine-UK-law

So yes drivers abu for going way below speed limit e.g.40 in a 60mph zone

The delusions of some posters here are unbelievable. Wake up.

...

I can think of so many roads were driving at 40 on a 60 road is the ONLY safe way to drive...

It's a worry if some drivers think they have to blindly follow the speed limit signs, probably the same one who end up driving in a lake because "the sat nav told me to"

you do know your link comes from a SHOP don't you?

Well that's okay... Thanks for clarifying...