National Speed Limit

[Cyw2018]

AIBU to remind people that the National speed limit sign does not translate as "free for all" and that an unclassified singletrack road with no pavement is not a "major" road just because it takes you from the end of your driveway to the nearest A road, and that all road users be it pedastirans (with or without dogs), cyclist and horse riders have just as much right as motor vehicle drivers to use these public rights of way safely.

YABU - screw you, I'll drive as fast as a want. That black and white sign is a target for hitting 60mph!!

YANBU - Your right, thanks for the reminder/ Your right, but I knew that already as I'm not a complete bellend!!

I don't think taxing larger cars will help much. My car is a 1.2 and can easily get to 100mph. It doesn't accelerate that fast but given time to build up, it can really do some.

Totally agree with this
My local country roads are dangerous
Since moving here, I've got a location tracking app as I genuinely fear falling into a ditch somewhere when driving. The bends are often blind with a significant ditch next to them. No crash barriers.
I think NSL on these roads is madness.
I am proudly one of those 30mph drivers when it comes to the bendy parts of the road. Those that don't like it can eat my shorts! My family's safety is immeasurably more important to me than your ability to get from A to B 3 seconds faster!
Also love it when others overtake at high speed, only for me to catch up within 30 seconds because they're stuck behind a tractor on a single track haha

NSL is usually just the default. They haven't assessed it and decided that's the most appropriate speed.

And don't get me started on big cars driven on little roads!
Much like the lady with a huge 4x4 that got stuck in the supermarket car park in a space that would be plenty for a normal sized car!
And yes I barely moved an inch haha. Any Street red the big car gave her was duly lost while she looked flustered and like a rabbit caught in headlights
If you can't handle a big car then don't bloody drive one and expect everyone else to make allowances for you

*street cred

And don't get me started on big cars driven on little roads!

Usually there's a reason why you see more 4x4s and tractors on small country roads. It might even be due to the nearby farms. 🤔

@MrsTroutfireVII

And don't get me started on big cars driven on little roads!

Usually there's a reason why you see more 4x4s and tractors on small country roads. It might even be due to the nearby farms. 🤔

Why be so facetious? "Big car" is not a synonym for tractor. I'm sure they didn't begrudge farm vehicles using country roads.

Also if you live in the country (I'm not sure if you do?) you'd know that not all of us drive big 4x4s - it's not standard issue here. You're not automatically guaranteed to see Discoveries, Cruisers and Shoguns.

You do however see a growing proliferation of silly, wide shiny tall vehicles with 2WD that are just popular with certain folk because of the ride height "I must be high up!", the looks and projected lifestyle "I have a rugged truck thing too to go with my Joules wellies!" and perception of space inside,

These are the ones that annoy me sometimes on country roads near us.

The ones who never, ever reverse back tot the passing space that's just behind them; and make me reverse all the way back instead, which I can do but that's not the point.

The ones with the glassy stare who occupy the middle of the country lane at all times because they're terrified to invalidate the PCP agreement if they get a scratch on the doors from a bramble

Many of us could buy these things if we wanted to, but it's a shame others don't learn how to use them effectively.

@araiwa

Free for all?

What's that?

It means a disorderly situation where there is no regard for rules or codes of conduct.

I also agree that it’s bonkers that winding country roads are NSL.

I've always thought this as well. Especially when they are single track with passing places that someone had often fly tipped in I rarely do more than 40 on those kinds of road because of the probability of meeting another car and having to move/reverse/find a passing place but I'm always self conscious that more confident/aggressive drivers will hate being behind me!

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

Drive for the road, not the speed limit.

Narrow road outside a school at 3pm? 30 not appropriate, even if it's the limit

Motorway in fog? 70 not appropriate

Single track country road? Lots of bends? 60 not appropriate.

I sort of blame sat navs and route planners. They say these country lanes are shortcuts. They aren't.

This. Driving in fog where you can’t see who cares if the road is NSL. You need to be able to stop in the distance you can see. It’s not the slow drivers fault a speeding (for the circumstances) driver caused an accident.

@NameChangeSake797

Are you under the impression it is a target on disk carriageways, then?

pedastirans (with or without dogs), cyclist and horse riders have just as much right as motor vehicle drivers to use these public rights of way safely.

You are wrong, pedestrians, cyclists and riders have the right to be on a public highway, motorists do not. They are given permission to do so via a license, which can be removed if they don't behave. The roads you describe are maintained via Council Tax, paid by all local adults whether drivers or not.

You are quite correct. People can be such idiots. (Yabu to write your instead of you're though.)

There’s a NSL road near me which is usually fine but one section of it has overhanging trees and a 30ft drop on one side. The amount of people who still drive at 60 along it when its raining or wet is ridiculous. I know how dangerous it can be, I lost 4 school friends when the car they were in came off that bit of road and went down the drop.

I have to drive regularly on country roads and I honestly believe that some people think they are obliged to drive at that speed. I watch them go around blind bends on single track roads and they cannot possibly stop to consider that something is coming the other way. I'm surprised there aren't more accidents tbh. If its a straight road and its wide I'll happily go 50/60. If its windy I'll do between 30/40. Without fail there will be someone up my jaxi no matter what speed I am going.

Remember when driving your big camper van or large suv - usually both clueless wankers you’re also allowed to get near the fucking hedge.

Can we just ban people from cities from driving in the country.

Plenty of back roads are perfectly safe to drive at the NSL and lots are not. Drive to the road not the speed limit.

Try driving them lanes in a fully freighted 44ton lorry! I deliver a lot to farms and have had too many near misses to count.

People come flying round blind bends on single lane roads and suddenly find themselves having to slam on or basically drive into a 44ton solid brick!!

I think single track roads should be a blanket 30mph.

My first gavel.

@NameChangeSake797

I thought this was going to be raising the NSL on main roads. When people say it’s a limit not a target they should stay off dual carriageways.

On the other hand, anyone who grew up in the country knows not to let it rip on country roads especially when you can’t see what’s around the corner.

And that is illustrates exactly what's wrong with the the mentality of some drivers in this country. How dare anyone stop them from driving at whatever speed they want. Hence also the hatred for cyclists.

On dual carriageways the limit is 70mph. 70. Not 80, or 90. So if I sit in the inside lane at 65 I am doing nothing wrong but will be passed by everyone except the lorries.

And the speed limit does not need to be increased. Yes cars are safer now. Driver, however, are not. And there is an argument that the limit has been too high while cars were less safe.

Leave more time for your journey and slow down.

The ones with the glassy stare who occupy the middle of the country lane at all times because they're terrified to invalidate the PCP agreement if they get a scratch on the doors from a bramble

Ha ha yes. If you live in an area with country lanes you shouldn't be getting cars on PCP arrangements!

The ones with the glassy stare who occupy the middle of the country lane at all times because they're terrified to invalidate the PCP agreement if they get a scratch on the doors from a bramble

Oh my goodness! This! Most of the country roads near me are wide enough for two cars but people will insist on gunning it down the middle of the road and forcing anyone coming the other way into the bushes! There is plenty of room but obviously my old car deserves to live in a bush because they can’t be within 2 metres of one!

When dh worked as a courier the company gave one hour delivery slots. The timings were based on the drivers doing the speed limit on the road.
Dh was in a rural route and would have to miss/shorten his lunch half hour in a 12 hour shift to make up for not driving at stupid speeds down small lanes.
The pressure on those guys is huge, damned if they do and damned if they don't.

My County Council is in the process of changing every NSL road to 50mph (or so it seems!). One I use regularly used to be classed as a major A road but was downgraded to minor A road and is now 50mph - the road is wide, clear and it seems illogical to make it 50mph along its entirety when they haven't even addressed the issues at the two junction blackspots (5 miles apart) and not accidents not attributed to excessive speed but volume of traffic - they need traffic lights or a roundabout!

another road is classed as a B road but again, wide, clear, however very attractive to motorbikes going very fast which were involved in lots of accidents. They certainly don't stick to the 50mph speed limit on this road (except for when the mobile speed cameras are out at the weekends) and I'm afraid to admit that I don't either although I rarely go above 60 and when it was an NSL limit I went 65 so its slowed me down!.

However on the narrow country roads where potholes make cycling a nightmare, horses are plentiful and the roads aren't really wide enough for 2 cars to pass, motorists are free to travel (and often do so) at 60mph! Its nuts!

You say that "all road users be it pedastirans (with or without dogs), cyclist and horse riders have just as much right as motor vehicle drivers to use these public rights of way safely."

Yes, "pedastirans" and others have the right to use the road, but as with anything in life, they have responsibilities too. If I'm walking down a country lane I constantly assess the condition of the road, the layout ahead (and behind), traffic levels and so on. If I'm coming to a corner which has poor visibility I will pause and listen for traffic. I will try to position myself in the place where I will be most visible to traffic in both directions. On some sections I keep crossing the road to ensure I am on the best side in terms of being seen.

In the example the OP gives about a boy racer tearing round a corner and nearly wiping them out, a car being driven like that can be heard a mile off. If you actively listen you will hear them coming and can pause in a safer place while they pass.