Why do we have speed limits...

[Donk]

...since so few people seem to observe them?
I always thought that it was down to the laws of physics - that the faster you go, the more kinetic energy the vehicle has and the worse an accident will be, plus the risk on particular roads (eg residential) of people leaping out at you unexpectedly/ coming out of junctions/poor visibility due to permanent landscape features/schools etc.
But I must be wrong since nearly everyobody drives faster than the speed limit.

People do drive too fast, 'tis true. I notice it every day; roaring engines, sudden braking, pavement clipping, etc.

I don't get it. I really, really don't get it.

Me neither - and then they winge about speed cameras. If they weren't breaking the speed limit in the first place........

...and why is the national speed limit on Dual Carriageways the same as it is on Motorways?

Dual Carriageways have roads joining them all over the place, house entrance/exits joining them and vehicles can cross the carriageway at appropriate points in central reservation. Also, pedestrians can walk on footpaths, if provided, alongside the dual carriageway. I have always thought it crazy then that the speed limit is the same as on motorways, where only traffic joining is from slip-roads and no houses can have their entrance/exit straight onto a motorway, nor can you change direction by crossing over to the other carriageway at a central reservation nor do you have pedestrians walking on paths alongside.

Yes but speed limit on urban duals is lower (where you have crossing points, lots of roads joining, houses etc)

Yes, agree about the dual carriageways as well.

And on some country lanes the speed limit is set at 50. That's ridiculously high.

Oi, Desi, you going to reply on the bfing thread or what?

I've parped myself, hunker.

Only some Dual Carriageways here (Northern Ireland) have lower limits. Most are 70, even with numerous roads joining, paths and houses alongside etc.

Another gripe is the 60mph allowed on all country roads, especially those with lots of twists and turns and hidden dips/high bumps etc.

Shame.

But a speed limit is exactly that a limit - not a minimum or advisory.

On country roads I don't see why it shouldn't be 50mph (or even 60mph) limit. The highway code also says that you should dive at a limit which is safe for hte road conditions...

In the United States the speed limits are sorts of goofy.

Texas has a day time and a night time speed limit.

California has a speed limited for regular vehicles and a seperate one for Trucks and Trailers.

Hawaii has a minimum speed limit.

But we have seperate limit for cars v lorries v buses....

Oh, it's one of my pethates, those people that exceed the speed limit....grrrr...and yes, they are usually those that moan about things like speed cameras or when yet again new bumps are put into residential area roads, etc....grr......I mena, if people could just follow the law on thsi oen there would be no need for such things....argh....