M1 - so called smart motorway

[sunshineandcake]

Hello,

I would welcome your views on the so called smart motorway known as the M1. I have this evening received a second notice of intended prosecution. Apparently I was doing 68 when the limit was 60.

Last year I received my first 3 points for doing 54 on the M1 again when apparently the limits was 40.

I am going through menopause and have fog brain. With the wretched speed changing so frequently, I can’t keep up with it. Is it just me? Or is anyone else experiencing this?

I am in my 50’s and a careful driver. I feel upset and angry at this fraudulently money making scheme as I see it. My car insurance will go up again with more penalty points.

I see maniacs on the M1 who know where the cameras are and get away with dangerous driving. Why not clamp down on them?

I would welcome your views/experiences of the M1.

You feel people are rude because you don't like what they're saying. It's a fact that if you can't keep track of the speed limits then you're not safe. Your friends may politely nod along but they'll be thinking the same.

I would seriously consider speaking to your GP. You must be the same on A roads where the speed changes from 60 to 50, 40 and 30 frequently. How do you keep up with those (or maybe you don't know you're not and you haven't been caught by a van).

Stop being so defensive. If you've repeatedly caught speeding, then you need to reconsider your driving skills. Roads are bigger, faster, better monitored and managed differently to how they used to be.

I'm also mid 50s, and drive between Sheffield and York, usually Wakefield-Leeds, on the M1 smart motorway several times a week. The signage is very clear! The speed changes are clear and they are there for your safety and better traffic flow.

The Wakefield - Leeds stretch flows so much better now than before it was "smarted" 10 or 11 years ago.

OP are you at all open to the idea that you may no longer be a safe driver? Or is all your anger focused on the road, its speed limits and those people who suggest your ability may be impaired?

I realise you've not received the responses you hoped for, which must be disappointing. But I wouldn't be surprised if those nearest to you are starting to feel a bit worried about you. Don't be one of those drivers who cling to their licences until they hurt someone.

I bet £1000 your friends are worried about you but probably afraid to anger you by saying anything 😕

Why would we support you driving when you're clearly not capable? We have to share the roads with you.

Every gantry over the motorway which has the speed limit displayed on, it contains a speed camera and if you’re exceeding the limit you will get prosecuted. The maniacs will also be prosecuted or if not, on cloned plates. It’s not difficult to keep your eye on the signs and control your speed, you’re obviously not a careful driver and it’s not fraudulent money making scheme.

@Thisbastardcomputer and yet when I drive past Wakefield on my commute I am one of the few drivers actually sticking to the speed limit.

Do these drivers think that they are above the law?

Friends often feel they can't be honest as they don't want to upset you, at least here you will read answers that while hard to take may be the ones you need to listen to

Did you expect lots of sympathy for breaking the law? Or for driving dangerously? Or for not treating your menopause symptoms?

I see people get flashed on those cameras on the Wakefield - Leeds stretch at least once a week. Some of them must be the idiots we speak of!

I think the op wanted us to say, yeah that's fine, how can anyone follow variable speed limits. They were looking for validation, not reality

In most cars, a true speed of 68, is probably an indicated one of over 70mph.

I recently had the misfortune to use the M1 above Nottingham, past Mansfield & beyond, the road was quiet, late Sunday afternoon, yet the limit was 60mph, with traffic constantly surging between 55 and 65, it was a joke, once out of it, traffic regained its normal & safer rhythm.
Still 60 limit when i returned in the evening.

Anyone know why the limit is set to 60 on a M/Way when its not busy?

No need foe the flounce.

You have driven extremely dangerously, you have broken the law and you have been oun8shed for it.

No one except you is to blame for this.

If your menopausal "brain fog" is that bad then as people here have said, you need to stop driving until you have sought medical assistance.

You could have killed yourself or worse someone else.

Take responsibility for your poor judgement and stop trying to minimise and blame others.

Pollution control where it is close to built up areas

OP, learn a lesson about MN, they are all expert drivers and never ever do anything wrong in their cars and will castigate relentlessly on threads like this

I drive the M1 alot, both far South and up North and am yet to get a speeding ticket because I abide by the giant, illuminated numbers on the gantry.

They change because of traffic risks, broken down vehicles, objects in the lane, build up of traffic etc..

I've seen the aftermath of someone speeding on the M1 and it's traumatic.

If you can't read, and keep track of speed limits you are no longer safe to drive. It's very simple.

It's nearly always 60 mph when driving over Tinsley viaduct.

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads and I have seen several drivers being flashed near Sheffield.

Yeah because there is one hell of a side wind over the viaduct that whips up out of no where, it takes cars sideways often. Take lorries too. At 60mph you have significantly more chance of maintaining control or correcting without causing an accident. At 70 you would likely crash (I live nr this section and use it several times a week).

Not so. I've had a speeding ticket myself. I just didn't blame anyone else for it. It was entirely my own fault.

Not on the motorway, I should add!

And so have I, and I also blame myself. However, the easy on the eye policeman who delivered the speeding awareness course made up for it 😁

Sorry but if you are not alert enough to pay attention to, respond to and keep up with speed limits the you should not be driving.
Speed limit on gantry says 40, you drive 40 until speed limit on gantry changes. Not until everyone else speeds up, not because it looks OK now, not because you are getting a bit bored. How hard can that be?

Absolutely not - I would never consider myself a perfect driver. It's dangerous to be over-confident - being a safe driver requires insight into our own weaknesses and a willingness to learn and improve.

Oh no what a terrible punishment 😁😁

My dad was a professional driver until he got dementia and they took his licence.
The driver you have been in the past is irrelevant.
You admit having menopausal brain fog and have to accept that this, like many conditions, may affect driving ability.

Lol yes, people are so bloody rude.

I know what you mean OP, I have chemo brain and meno brain, I manage to stick to the smart motorway speeds (my only speeding ticket was well earned!). The constant changing speeds are a pain, set your cruise control if you are struggling. But they don't encourage safe driving, lots of bunching from the constant sudden speed changes which aren't incremental and can go from 60 to 40. The posters saying follow others are talking bollocks, so many people are casual and speed through the matrices, I've no idea how they get away with it, maybe they don't.

HRT can be really helpful for meno brain, there are also other supplements too. It really is worth looking at. I found it so frustrating, couldn't hold a decent debate with anyone about politics or whatever because I would forget the names of the relevant politicians etc. Spent a wee while feeling quite stupid. I'm on HRT now.