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How fast would I go if there were no limits? Depends on conditions. Empty m/way, clear day etc, I'd happily max out (so that's probably 115ish for me).
As for US rules, from my time over the pond there are regular signs saying 'keep right' if the passing on both sides rule is not enforced.
It was fun growing up, though. Since we didn't have a radar detector it really helped hone my observational skills in the car. Scanning the sky, searching the shadows, bridge overpasses and reverse slopes as well as reading the surrounding traffic (particularly trucks which would dominate early radar signatures) all came in handy when I started driving myself (though I did buy a detector as well). Illinois has a maximum speed of 65 for cars and 55 for trucks, but that's mostly to allow random taxation by the police since surrounding states are all 70 or higher for all vehicles and most everyone goes faster than that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark
having used the A8 in Germany lots,I think you are about right,most of the traffic does travel at about 130K,until on the 2 lane sections they catch an Artic or a wagon and drag ,SLOWLY passing another truck .This can take ages,BUT now the Germans have tried to sort this problem by banning trucks overtaking other trucks between the hours of say 6am and 6pm,and then removing the ban when it goes to 3 lanes each way.
This works as all the trucks stay in the right lane,and some sections are 22 miles long,but then once the restriction is lifted its manic !!!!
Raising the speed limit to 80 is not going to make much difference to how the majority drive in the UK, all it will do is increase the level at which the police will be able to prosecute and we will then see a reduction in the revenue generated from the fines imposed. Not a particularly good move from a government that is fast approaching bankruptcy.
It will also see the numpties who already drive in excess of the speed limit to think they can take it up another notch and still undertake other vehicles and sit 6ft away from someone else's bumper whilst doing 90.
Personally I'm against the raising of speed limits until every driver in the country receives some form of compulsory retraining. If you had to take a driving ability test every four years or so then the general traffic flow on motorways and dual carriageways would be dramatically improved. I'm not talking about making people learn manoeuvres, more an assessment of a persons general driving. I recently helped a friend of mine do a fleet assessment for a local company. Between us we assessed 9 drivers and the varying standards of ability and attitude was quite surprising.
The argument by the 'don't increase the limit' brigade that people will then travel at 90 or 100 is a little short sighted.
I travel on holidays by car from Kent to the Scottish Borders on average twice a year. I take the A1/A1(M) up to the A68. On the A1 i generally stick to 60/65 mph.
I encounter;
middle lane wallahs
oiks that speed up when you attempt to overtake, and slow back down once you pull back in
lorries that take several counties to complete overtakes - usually on the 2 lane section
drivers who fail to indicate
drivers merging from slip roads straight out into the second overtaking lane
The reason for accidents on motorways is not generally due to speed, but the poor driving. The severity of the accident will be determined by the speed.
When I drive I stick to very similar speeds to you and I've noticed the same things.Quote:
Originally Posted by SGWilko
The problem I reckon is that there are two types of driver. People who have some kind of interest in driving and cars and are capable of improving with training, and those that aren't interested at all beyond merely making it from A to B and who wander around the roads in some kind of haze.
Its the second group that causes a lot of the problems and I don't think attempts to raise driving standards will reach this group. Thats why speed limits need to be capped at a sensible level, not because of the majority of decent drivers but the minority of utter idiots who cause the problems.
Seems we could learn a lot from Germany, decent traffic laws AND decent smoking laws, good on them - just as long as they pay the PIGS though.Quote:
Originally Posted by driveace
The whole concept of fines and points is road safety not revenue creation.Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlMetro
Nothing wrong with undertaking, its the clueless types in the wrong lane that need educating/banning.
Are there not also those, however, who have no interest in driving and cars and who merely want to make it from A to B without being in some kind of haze?Quote:
Originally Posted by Malbec
Do you include yourself in that group as you clearly know nowt about cars or motor sport, odd then you choose to troll this particular forum.Quote:
Originally Posted by BDunnell