55mph Speed Limit

[biggs682]

I noticed that cruising at 63 mph is just enough to keep ahead of lorries and also helps me cope with the stress of motorway driving and also helps me achieve a better mpg .

 

[katiewlx]

It would make sense to reduce the 60mph limit to say 50mph. This would mitigate both safety and energy issues.

I can never understand why some roads, even single track roads are at the national limit. (60mph), when no sane driver would drive at 60mph, but it wouldn't be illegal if they did.

theyre speed limits, not speed targets... just saying

 

[Bristolian]

I can never understand why some roads, even single track roads are at the national limit. (60mph), when no sane driver would drive at 60mph, but it wouldn't be illegal if they did.

The reason for this is all about saving money. For any speed limit except the national speed limit (NSL) highway authorities are required to erect signs to remind drivers what the limit is. The frequency of those signs is determined by the limit imposed (actually by how far you travel in a given time at that speed). Signs cost money, putting them up costs money and maintaining them costs money so just making the road an NSL one saves quite a lot of money.

 

[Ajax Bay]

[OP said:

proposing 55mph speed limits for motorways]

Having just done a speed awareness course, I know now, I did know before really, but the national speed limit on all other roads is 60mph, unless there is an overriding speed limit in place.

Either the course instructors gave the wrong info (super unlikely) or you weren't listening properly or you just got confused.
Or your use of "all other roads" excludes dual carriageways.
Anyway, for cars on dual carriageways the NSL is 70mph. Revision for you: https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits with lots of categories.
On topic, counter-intuitively, a 55mph limit would actually improve the flow of traffic, if adhered to (no chance). 18mph is the optimum!

 

[Alex321]

Either the course instructors gave the wrong info (super unlikely) or you weren't listening properly or you just got confused.
Or your use of "all other roads" excludes dual carriageways.
Anyway, for cars on dual carriageways the NSL is 70mph. Revision for you: https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits with lots of categories.
On topic, counter-intuitively, a 55mph limit would actually improve the flow of traffic, if adhered to (no chance). 18mph is the optimum!

There are a few places round here where there are 50 limits on motorways or dual carriageways, with average speed cameras, so they are adhered to reaosnably well, and yes they definitely improve the traffic flow at peak times, though those limits are mainly in place as anri-pollution measures rather than for traffic flow.

"Smart" motorways of course, with variable limits do again reduce the limits to improve traffic flow at congested times.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Some time ago I had an regular -ish drive up the M1. They imposed a 50 limit on it for works with average speed cameras. I found that this improved my driving experience a lot. I used to look forward to the 50 section. Maybe I'm just odd.

 

[CXRAndy]

I don't mind cruising on AAC, but there is nothing like the buzz doing 150mph on a motorbike

 

[gbb]

I'd probably agree with 55mph on standard A roads, single carriageway, where 60 is the current limit...during daytime hours , ie when traffic is heaviest. Revert to 60 after certain hours when roads are quieter

Id actually probably support 50, having driven 100+ miles on the A47 which was heavily limited due to (non existent) roadworks...mostly 50 mph, it all flowed fabulously.

Dual carriageway, leave at 70.

 

[gbb]

I don't mind cruising on AAC, but there is nothing like the buzz doing 150mph on a motorbike

We had a guy at work who could get to work on his Honda (can't remember which, late 1990s)... in ridiculously short order.
I asked him what speeds he was doing...
Oh, 135 on the dual sections he said
He also said, he found the concentration needed was so high, he was reminding himself to actually breathe..

 

[FishFright]

I don't mind cruising on AAC, but there is nothing like the buzz doing 150mph on a motorbike

I used to solo rock climb, a similar buzz no doubt

 

[CXRAndy]

We had a guy at work who could get to work on his Honda (can't remember which, late 1990s)... in ridiculously short order.
I asked him what speeds he was doing...
Oh, 135 on the dual sections he said
He also said, he found the concentration needed was so high, he was reminding himself to actually breathe..

Its is tiring due to concentration

I remember doing my first track day on a motorbike. I was absolutely shattered at the end of the day. Great buzz.

 

[CXRAndy]

I used to solo rock climb, a similar buzz no doubt

I have a friend who is a roofer. He got into free climbing. He said he once started a climb, got 15metres high, realised he was getting out of his depth, had a bit of panic moment, but got to the top of 30m climb. He said it was terrifying and exciting at the same time

Not only was he free climbing he was doing it alone!!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I have a friend who is a roofer. He got into free climbing.

He is American? That is an american climbing term, not British, and it does not exclude the use of ropes and placing protection, using belays etc.

 

[fossyant]

I have a friend who is a roofer. He got into free climbing. He said he once started a climb, got 15metres high, realised he was getting out of his depth, had a bit of panic moment, but got to the top of 30m climb. He said it was terrifying and exciting at the same time

Not only was he free climbing he was doing it alone!!

Good life insurance... probably doesn't apply when doing really stupid stuff.

 

[mjr]

I do remember one two lane motorway in the Netherlands where heavy vehicles wern't allowed to use the outer lane at rush hour (From a 30 year old memory, I think that was 7-9AM and 4-6PM).

Some of the westernmost bits of the A14 (somewhere between junctions 1 & 3) have a similar daytime lorry ban on the overtaking lane, stopping the worst cases of "elephant racing" causing miles of queues.

The A45 to the east of Northampton has an unusual minimum speed limit, signed with wordy signs as you approach the A428 junction from the west.