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!!

AIBU to remind people that the National speed limit sign does not translate as "free for all"

I'm old enough to remember when that sign meant no speed limit at all.

I wish they would do away with national speed limit and just put signed stating limits. And make winding country road all 30 or 40

I say this to DP ALL the time. I said the speed limit is a MAXIMUM, not a target. You should drive sensibly and safely, and that does not include doing 60mph on country roads with ridiculous bends.

@skirk64

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.

Wow, no all road users have a responsibility to ensure they are not a danger to other road users. Yes it's sensible to keep an ear out for morons but sadly, some of them will be driving an electric car and they are bloody hard to hear.

@Hankunamatata

I wish they would do away with national speed limit and just put signed stating limits. And make winding country road all 30 or 40

It’s a lovely idea but practically impossible. Can you imagine the cost?

A lot of time speed limits dont make much sense.

I used to use the A40 (3 lane main road) into London regularly which had a 40mph limit. During the day sometimes youd be lucky to hit 4 mph let alone 40 but I used to use it a lot either at 8am on a weekend morning or at 10pm at night and in good conditions it would have been safe to do 50 or 60 on some stretches. There were bridges iirc for pedestrians crossing. Compare to single track winding country lanes without speed cameras or space for waiting police cars where national speed limit means it's legal (but not sensible) to do 60mph.

The issue isn't NSL roads. It's bad driving.

People should drive in a way that is appropriate for the road, visibility and conditions.

In my experience of country driving, people who drive recklessly will drive recklessly whether the road is NSL or 40.