Not sure how reducing speed limit will stop people driving. Do you expect those who drive 0.5mile to their destination not to bother if speed limit reduced?
Can't see it myself. Those who choose to drive will still do so.
No wonder cyclists are hated
- Thread starter Bristolian
- Start date
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Not sure how reducing speed limit will stop people driving. Do you expect those who drive 0.5mile to their destination not to bother if speed limit reduced?
Can't see it myself. Those who choose to drive will still do so.
matticus
Guru
Parliament DOES have limited time and resources. I guess if as you say, it's a small change for them to make, then it's not important in the grand scheme, but it is still using up valuable manpower (which we all pay for in taxes!).
But I'm in no way convinced this is a useful law change:
- Is it demonstrably going to improve road safety?
- Even assuming that "fairness" is an important, real thing; please show me the specific laws for pedestrians causing deaths, or cows causing death, or horse riders, or sloppy road-maintenace technicians?
On top of that, i'm very concerned that this is clearly a populist movement; the rhetoric is clearly around disciplining those
Too late for assumptions on that. 😉
Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
I can't disagree with any of that.
But I'm not convinced by this. There are only ever going to be a vert small number of cases indeed. There are only a handful of pedestrians (or other road users) killed by cyclists each year, and even of those, most will not be considered Dangerous Cycling according to the definition in the law.
If the guy in the video that started this thread hit somebody, there is ample evidence he was cycling dangerously, but I think we all agree he was being idiotic. The CPS are only going to charge under that law if it is pretty clear the cyclist was cycling dangerously.
Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
I think there will be some (but probably not very many) who think it will now be as quick to walk as to get the car out, with all the hassle of parking etc.
But I agree it is unlikely to make a significant difference in the number of short journeys.
Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
Although they haven't done it the same way, they do appear to have as many 20 limits in Scotland as we do in Wales, from driving around there when I visit my daughter in the Scottish Borders.
You drive!
Tut tut. That won't go down well. Hope it's only for long journeys and at no more than 20mph.*
* For those who struggle to get it, yes I'm taking the urine.
My point was that I am campaigning. Positive steps so far too.
Fastpedaller
Über Member
Merely to add to this traffic speed debate.......
On the annual visit to my local MOT tester, I asked about testing electric cars. After he gave some views, he then went on to ask If I'd driven one. Yes (a very low-powered one over 20 years ago)...... he said the acceleration of recent ones is astonishing (and cited the Tesla in particular) and that he has a Driving Instructor customer who's had to emergency brake on many occasions when his pupils (at roundabouts) have checked correctly before proceeding and a very fast Tesla has suddenly appeared. When driving around Milton Keynes, in particular, my Wife has commented that the roundabout traffic is so fast it's difficult to emerge, and, of course, emerging fast to beat the approaching traffic makes the problem worse further around!
On the annual visit to my local MOT tester, I asked about testing electric cars. After he gave some views, he then went on to ask If I'd driven one. Yes (a very low-powered one over 20 years ago)...... he said the acceleration of recent ones is astonishing (and cited the Tesla in particular) and that he has a Driving Instructor customer who's had to emergency brake on many occasions when his pupils (at roundabouts) have checked correctly before proceeding and a very fast Tesla has suddenly appeared. When driving around Milton Keynes, in particular, my Wife has commented that the roundabout traffic is so fast it's difficult to emerge, and, of course, emerging fast to beat the approaching traffic makes the problem worse further around!
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
A good reason to reduce said compact to a maximum 20 mph around town and away from main roads yes? Limit size and we also give more space and ability for said drivers to avoid collisions.
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
Ban farmers from putting cows in fields with public rights of way crossing them. If a farmer ignores, and someone is killed, then a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Seems a useful piece of legislation to go through parliament given the risks and harm, yes?
N0bodyOfTheGoat
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Hampshire, UK
As a driver and a pedestrian, my mum living in north Wales, much prefers the local 20mph zones.
I've yet to experience 20mph zones full stop, but closer speeds to a fairly aero bike speed sounds good.
I've yet to experience 20mph zones full stop, but closer speeds to a fairly aero bike speed sounds good.
It helps.
But cycle along at 22mph and you will still find yourself being overtaken. Even whilst keeping up with traffic! 😱😡
Bit like the suggestion to limit new cars speed and weight etc, ultimately it all comes down to the driver. By all means make every single road in UK 20mph limit. Enforcing it and ensuring drivers stick to it is the tricky bit.
Like I said earlier on this thread, it's not the size of the cars or how fast they are capable of it's the humans behind the wheel.
The crux of the issue is changing human behaviour.
Anyway, this thread seems to have veered off(how apt) from the original topic.
