- Location
- Inside my skull
Yes we do, it’s called roads.
No wonder cyclists are hated
- Thread starter Bristolian
- Start date
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Yes we do, it’s called roads.
- Location
- Inside my skull
Which is why I didn’t (make that deduction) !
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
I can't be certain of this but I suspect that you spend a lot of time paying attention to permanently outraged people who like to get upset on other people's behalf.
The kind of people who don't actually live in Wales but are furious about Welsh 20 limits; live nowhere near an LTN but are outraged by the idea of LTNs; don't live in London (or if they do, own a modern, compliant vehicle) but are foaming at the mouth about ULEZ.
Nope.
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
I'm not convinced.
Meh whatever.
Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
I know the intention was to improve things, and it has.
But it still seems crazy that they introduce a speed limit with teh expectation that the average speed would be breaking it by 25%.
Ever tried driving at 70mph on the quieter sections of the M6?
Okay, not 25% but that's only because it is a high bar. Excessive speeding is the norm.
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Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
I disagree.
yes, I have driven on most motorways in the UK, including all of the M6. It used to be as you say, but has reduced greatly in the last 20 years or so, and nowadays, driving at around teh speed limit, I overtake more cars than overtake me, and will only usually see 2-3 cars where I think "He's shifting a bit" as they go past, in a journey from Scotland to South Wales.
I am pretty sure the average speed of cars (i.e. excluding large vehicles that have speed limiters/tachos) is under 70 on free flowing sections.
- Location
- Inside my skull
Why guess when there are facts and figures published?
https://www.gov.uk/government/stati...-compliance-statistics-for-great-britain-2023
https://www.gov.uk/government/stati...-compliance-statistics-for-great-britain-2023
Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
Thank you.
Though it seems my guess (based on what I see on long motorway journeys) was right. When you get down to the table showing average speeds, it is under the speed limit on motorways for both cars and light vans.
You need to take into account of variations from average when discussing a non average scenario.
Congested areas lower the average speed.
For example, the average speed of traffic in central London is 7.1mph. M5 at J2 is 26.7mph. Those area drag the average down while quieter areas with excessive speeds raise the average.
- Location
- Inside my skull
While an average might make it look like things are okay, it doesn’t take into account the variance in speed. The same facts you looked at showed that 44% of drivers speed on motorways. Thus expecting 25% of drivers to speed in a 20 mph zone is not exceptional.
matticus
Guru
And so what?? Motorways are our safest roads - despite the massive speeds - and the driving speeds on them do not affect the safety of vulnerable road users.
Can we talk about something relevant?
p.s. there are no cyclists on motorways - hated or loved!!!
Can we talk about something relevant?
p.s. there are no cyclists on motorways - hated or loved!!!
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
I agree with this on a "gut feel" level. It does seem a bit odd. But it makes sense.
There are widespread 20 limits in London, and have been for some years. What is noticeable is that when you do see someone zipping along at 30 it sticks out like a sore thumb. It used to be unexceptional. There were a few larger roads where it felt a bit odd to begin with, but behaviours have adapted and it's just normal now.
I don't recall if there was outrage when they were introduced. If there was it probably came from Facebook warriors who have never in their lives driven in London.
