Speed limit on motorways.

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Tin Pot

Guru
Another thing that annoys me on British motorways is varying speed limits for traffic flow control.

I'm a fan of the flow science but in reality it's quite stressful, and the M25 is stressful enough. By the time they've changed the speed limit five times in a couple of junctions I can't remember what the speed limit is anymore!
 

Tim Hall

Guest
Location
Crawley
Another thing that annoys me on British motorways is varying speed limits for traffic flow control.

I'm a fan of the flow science but in reality it's quite stressful, and the M25 is stressful enough. By the time they've changed the speed limit five times in a couple of junctions I can't remember what the speed limit is anymore!
Fortunately there's a reminder in the shape of a number in a red circle on the overhead gantry.
 
It depends on the length of journey. I regularly make a 350 mile journey north via M5, M32, M1, A1M. A few years ago, before the endless average speed restrictions of 50mph for installation of concrete centre barriers and managed motoway upgrading it was possible to average 60mph or so - under 6 hours driving time. Recently if I manage less than 7 hrs driving I feel I've done well. I sympathise with the OP - Much of the time the work is finished, 3 lanes open, but the hard shoulder coned off for mile after mile, no sign of work being done.
A few years ago there were also fewer cars on the motorway.
 

Tin Pot

Guru
[QUOTE 4811745, member: 45"]They're visible enough to adjust your speed aren't they? If you forget, the next camera is at the next sign.[/QUOTE]

I am interested in being at a legal speed at all times, not just when the next gantry appears.

You get no clue from the nutters around you who do 80 even when a 40 restriction is in place.
 

Drago

Legendary Member
On a sort of related note, the RAC have today been wagging their corporate finger at the government bout smart motorways. They're claiming you're almost twice as likely to be involved in a collision if you break down in a smart mototprway than you would be on the hard shoulder. If its true, its hardly surprising.
 

youngoldbloke

The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
On a sort of related note, the RAC have today been wagging their corporate finger at the government bout smart motorways. They're claiming you're almost twice as likely to be involved in a collision if you break down in a smart mototprway than you would be on the hard shoulder. If its true, its hardly surprising.
I've often wondered how you ensure you break down at the designated refuge points.
 

Dan B

Disengaged member
[QUOTE 4812502, member: 9609"]I would imagine that most efficient in fuel terms would be very slow (less than 10mph)[/QUOTE]
Assuming you don't consume any energy for lights, heating, air conditioning, onboard electronics etc - for a given journey length all these are going to use five[*] times as much energy at 10mph than at 50.


[*] wild-ass guess
 
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