To think it’s better to drive at 31 than 25?

[xla]

When I was learning to drive my driving instructor told me it was always better to be five miles an hour under the limit than one over. I’ve been driving three years and it seems like most people actually seem to subscribe to this method of thinking?! I drove into work this morning and spent most of it sat at 24/25, despite the roads being clear, and at one point was actually undertaking people because otherwise I would be driving at 20 miles an hour. On a 30 road! Surely I’m not alone in thinking this is insane?

Does my head in. There’s a 50 road near me - perfectly straight and clear and people pootle along at 35.

On a nearby dual carriageway which is 40 and has 2 lanes in each direction there are so many people that sit in the right hand lane at 35 for 2 miles before turning right when the left lane is empty.

Don’t get me started on the ones trying to join motorways at 45-50mph

I just get the hell past them all as soon as I can. Idiots.

It depends entirely on the conditions. 30mph down a residential street with cars parked on both sides of the road and lots of pedestrians around is way too fast. Or on a road with tight bends and poor sightlines, or in poor weather, or in many other situations.

Plus while driving 5mph below the limit is entirely legal, overtaking on the left is an offence for which I'd love to see you try the "But the car in front was a bit slower than I thought they should be!" excuse in court.

I do this. I've never got in trouble with the law. A few bees in the bonnet of the speeding nutters behind me, otherwise all fine.

What does get me raging is when people pootle along at 40mph on an entry sliproad when they should be doing at least 60mph. You're entering onto a highspeed road, so you need to be matching the speed of that highspeed road when entering it. Common sense, really. Otherwise it's downright dangerous.

"at one point was actually undertaking people because otherwise I would be driving at 20 miles an hour. On a 30 road!"

You have a road which is a dual carriage way (therefore has an unused inside lane which you were able to use) but which has a 30mph speed limit?

So you think driving at 15 in a 20mph is what people do.

In a residential area where people are walking next to you on the pavement I would go under 30, if no one about I would go over 30

It’s a clear road. Two lanes but not dual carriageway in terms of speed. Am I genuinely supposed to sit doing 20 along a clear road because the person on the right is too nervous to drive properly?

It's not an either/or choice, though. You could always just do 30 (or 29)!

I don’t know if it counts as a dual carriageway or not. It’s two lanes but they’re going to different places. The right lane goes to a different place to the left.

All I know is that it’s invariably the people like you in my court rooms explaining why they shouldn’t lose their licence as it would ruin their lives and they were “only” X miles an hour over the limit.

It’s a speed limit, not a speed target. I’d rather get there 30 seconds later and have been a safe.

Please find where exactly in the legislation where overtaking on the left is an offence (it isn't).

A large stretch of the A61 approaching Sheffield city centre is dual carriageway with a 30mph limit. I imagine other towns/cities have similar.

A 2 lane road with a 30mph limit is unusual. The issue in your scenario is the driver being in the outer of 2 lanes leaving an empty inside lane. However that doesn't make it legal or safe for you to undertake.
I find it hard to believe that this unusual 2 lane road is full of drivers doing 20 in the outer lane.

I’ve never been done for speeding. I’m talking the occasional 31 by accident rather than sitting at 25 the whole way even though the roads are clear and it’s safe.

It’s certainly not unusual outside of big cities 😂

Yes. Yes you are. Because the time you saved is miniscule and doesn't justify you driving like a twat. If you're still unsure The Highway Code is available for free here - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code. I suggest you read it.

It depends but the limit is there for a reason

but undertaking is always moronic and dickish

And how often have you found drivers doing 20 in the outer lane?
It appears to be routine for the OP 🤔

I’d say the person going dangerously slow in the right hand lane is the one driving like a twat!

It’s not a motorway. I’m in a small town, it’s very common for people to do this. Mainly because they’re all 75+ and can’t see over the steering wheels anymore

If you undertake you both are.

If I was then moving out to the right land I’d say it’s undertaking. But if I’m staying in my lane and then leaving the road there’s no good reason for me to drive 10 miles under the limit! That’s dangerous.

My car Speedo gives more than ten percent under. I would usually set my speed limiter at 34 to be doing 29/30 - depending if uphill is involved..
I think on the whole that could be why people in newer vehicles tend to be quite a bit under. They're either using a speed limiter or cruise control.

They're driving at a speed they think is appropriate for the conditions and within the law. You, by letting your impatience get in the way of good judgement and so overtaking on the left , are driving like a twat.

The Highway Code is written to be easy to understand and has a lot of pictures. You should be able to get the gist quite easily.

Oh i do this. Join an A road at around 50. It's really hard for my car to build up speed going uphill as it's a C1 and I've never actually managed to get it to go over 60mph.

Sometimes you're only as good as the tools you have.

I have no issues in our family car though and regularly cruise at 70