Ray
There will always be those that feel the need to break the speed limit and those that think they can push the limit as far as they feel they can get away with without being pulled over and nicked.

In an age of being environmentally conscious surely (and being controversial here) the speed needs to be dropped and speed limiters fitted with the speed pegged at 75 max compulsorily to cars?

Yes, cars are safer than when the motorways were first opened, but, there is still the human element behind the wheel where say five percent should not be holding a license due to their low level of competence. Which begs the call for a twenty year recall on a drivers licence whereby they have to re-prove their competence to be let loose behind a vehicles steering wheel. Higher the speed, the more spectacular the motorway incident and initially (probably) a higher incident rate.

Badger

Quote=ron hunter]

If the powers-that-be really wanted to ensure everyone obeyed speed limits then tamper-proof speed limiters linked to sat-nav systems would be compulsory on every non-emergency vehicle in the UK.

My view is that the speed limit should be dropped to 60. That will save fuel, probably reduce traffic jams due to the lower speed and we'll all be a bit safer.

Someone told me once that the 56 mph which was or is always quoted is related entirely to the RPM of the engine at that speed. 2500 rpm is apparently the optimum for the average car.

Being ultra controversial, I'm guessing that it wouldn't be beyond mankind to fit all new cars with a sat-nav type device that could link to a vehicle database...break the speed limit and the fine would arrive automatically. No need to cameras, no need for limiters. A bit too much like Big Brother for most I suspect.

An increase in the speed limit to 80 doesn't sound too bad on the face of it, but the required increase in stopping distance etc is dramatic:

Total stopping distance at 70 mph = 96m

Total stopping distance at 80 mph = 120m

I know the figures area bit rough and ready, but the physics are clear; if you go faster it takes longer to stop.

In my car those revs equate to about 77mph ........

It is widely mooted that the "old" stopping distances took account of the dire brakes in older cars (Drums all-round, I remember them well!). Lest we forget, all of those stopping distances include a human reaction time.
In gentler times, with less distractions (signs, in-car gadgetry) lesser traffic volumes, etc. that reaction time would probably have been quicker then than for the average driver today.
Colin -there's always the third lane, and there is always an avialable variation in speed.
The speed limit is just that- a limit, not a target......

Not in east Anglia! And I note that Colin is from Highlands and Islands, so I suspect much the same in his neck of the woods.

Sorry Colin, I wasn't accounting for Bugatti Veyron owners; I wouldn't know what my modest little runner does as I don't ever exceed 70 ;-)

never mind the speed limit - get the idiots out of my lane....

My thoughts echo those of Clairel and ChrisBurns at #17 and #19 above. Also, there'd better be some room left on the proverbial block for me because I think it's accurate to suggest that virtually all of us forum users who drive on motorways will do so at speeds over 70mph at least some of the time. Also, surely vehicle speed isn't the sole factor in road accidents. Like some others I think that sloppy driving habits (not using indicators, not maintaining adequate separation distances, rapid lane hopping, hogging second & third lanes, texting, etc, etc) are probably greater factors.

Some years ago I had a longish holiday in Germany and the Czech Republic which included a fair bit of driving on autobahns, the German motorways. Unless there has been a recent change, these have no speed limit except for stretches which have notable gradients, considerable curves and/or (perhaps) become very congested. My impression was that driving discipline on the autobahns was notably better than on UK motorways. With some cars being driven at speeds of around 120mph, there was probably a good incentive for people doing lesser speeds to be vigilant and also allow ample space and time when changing lanes. For the car I was driving an average speed of 80-85mph felt comfortable for me, but going over 90mph just felt too fast. However, I don't know the statistics for accident frequency and outcomes, etc., on autobahns, and to what extent speed is a factor. Therefore, in relation to the original topic about the wisdom or otherwise of raising the UK maximum speed limit, considering the autobahns
might not be of much help, especially if driving discipline on them is better. Can others with more recent and better experience of autobahns comment on the standard of driving on them?

Also, as I've mentioned before on this forum, there are times on motorways when adverse conditions (congestion, fog, snow, heavy rain, etc) dictate that drivers should reduce their speed to match. However, some *drivers seem oblivious to such conditions and will persist in driving at high speeds, close together and without lights on to make their vehicles and their relative speeds easier to see and determine. In adverse conditions I'm happy to drive at reduced speed or even get off a motorway - with my overall aim of reaching my destination in one piece, even if later than expected. (At * I was going to write 'cretinous', but decided this would be derogatory and unfair to cretins!)

One element which probably contributes to sloppy driving on UK motorways is that the UK driving test doesn't include motorways. It's bizarre - considering that someone who has just passed their test can legally drive on a motorway without any related instruction and assessment of their ability to drive safely on them. Also, the vast majority of UK drivers use motorways regularly or at intervals. Surely there's a strong case for motorway driving to be included in the UK driving test scheme, probably as a subsequent stage for tuition & test after passing the main test.

Also, there's surely also a good argument for drivers to re-sit their test at say 10 yearly intervals. On this point, how many of us who are drivers, myself included, (except members of the Institute of Advanced Motorists [IAM ] and similar organisations) could really be certain of passing a driving test again if we were to take one at short notice?!!!!

All trucks in the UK are governed to 56mph, so on a major road the speed limit for a truck is 40mph, I admit that I do over 70mph on the motorway, the police even go over the speed limit on normal roads without the blues & two's on, If you have driven on the continent, who abides by the speed limits, try driving through Paris, that,s an eye opener for UK drivers.

Yup - have experienced cars on the dual carriage way (as noted above some of us have to drive for hours to find a third lane) doing about 30mph for no reason! in dry clear conditions. It's the surprise of their speed and the guy in the outside doing 110 that makes it difficult to react and change lane safely as well as cooking a bacon sarnie and reading that pdf of the clients safety policy on your phone all at the same time :)

I also heard they are planning to only require MOTs every two years! Magnificent, not only nutter drivers but they'll have no lights and bits falling off n all.

Happy Friday

P.S. as a conciousness safety consultant the above may contain some slight elaboration. I never ever go fast in my work car - it's a 1.6 diesel - it just won't do fast :)

P.P.S a Lorry driver was recently stopped by a new Policy lorry in the Southwest for cooking breakfast and driving on the M5.... Men can multitask!

http://www.telegraph.co....inner-while-driving.html

I am pretty ambivalent about any change. I doubt that it would change the speed at which the majority of people currently drive on motorways. This is either because of a lack of opportunity to do so on our congested motorways or feeling uncomfortable at much above 80 mph.
Recent DfT research shows that 52% of vehicles exceed the 70 mph speed limit and a further 16% exceed 80 mph. A recent IAM survey of 2000 drivers found 70% admitted to driving in excess of 70 but 60% said they would be unlikely to exceed 80 mph. So it is clear that the current limit is not generally observed but a raised limit would not be exceeded by many. Evidence gathered where speed limits have been increased suggests that the actual increase above the new limit is around 25% of the increase. So 70-80 = 2.5 mph.
Once introduced and supported by an increase in enforcement activity on driving standards and speeding habits can we really say that it would result in more accidents?
I remember very well the terror of having to use motorways and roads with a 56 mph limit imposed on all vehicles during the oil crisis in the early 70’s. It was frankly terrifying for the most part. We alll know what happens when we come across the traffic vehicle; 3 lanes all bunched too close together at a common speed of usually 60-65 mph. Imagine driving like that all the time?
A couple of other points to put into the discussion.
• The government proposal is not universal. It recognises that some stretches of motorway would not be appropriate.
• The speed limit for lorries is not under review but views about vans and light goods is likely to be included.
Finally, as the German Autobahn system has been mentioned this information sheet gives a very comprehensive consideration of the impact of introducing speed limits. The autobahns are, of course, not entirely free of statutory speed limits. This fact sheet is pretty clear about the link between speed, accidents and severity and will suit those who are against an increase.
http://www.etsc.eu/docum...s/Speed_Fact_Sheet_1.pdf
Me? I remain sitting on the fence or is that in lane 3 at @@@@@@mph.

P48

SP900308, I resemble that remark!

SP900308,
just displaying the fact that we are actully human after all? Helps us to understand how important it is to find ways to gain understanding and respect for controls if we want them observed.

Now please put down your i-phone and move back into lane 1---pretty please ;-)

p48

Those that have not sinned...I also regularly exceed the speed the limit.

I find the logic behind our speed limits baffling on some of our roads. A dual carriage way with 40mph speed limit is madness, especially when sometimes you are on the M25 when you cannot even reach that speed for the congestion - at least safely. Several roads where I live have had their speeds reduced, which again makes little sense given the width, traffic and general location. Another jobsworth erring on the side of caution.

Hally, I'm a competent and considerate driver, although I was on the M1 yesterday - spooky!

Sean, happy Friday.

Pete48, I don't keep up with technology. My phone is a phone and has no place in my car.

RayRapp, logic baffling - maybe, however rules is rules.

Incidentally, I never stated what speed I do, I was though making a valid point!

Roy,

'You adapt your driving to the conditions i.e. you assess the risks and act accordingly - some might call it a dynamic risk assessment!'

Or 'break the law'

The dynamic risk assessment you speak of takes you outside of your training, safe system of work and legal obligations!

Sound familiar anyone?

Interesting discussion. I think that some of the issues relate to the "doctrine" that used to prevail which was that "speed kills" hence posters such as "Kill your speed .." etc.

What seems to be happening is that the research is identifying that whilst speed may contribute to the consequences of an incident the root causes are not just down to speed but a number of issues. A big factor in my opinion is the driver and their attitude to slower moving traffic etc. as the number of incidents I have seen where it wouldn't matter what the legal issues are the driver is intolerant and overtakes in the most dangerous places or sits a few feet from the car in front, pipping their horn and flashing their lights!

I will say that like some others I do "speed" at times. In previous cars I used to be able to tell if I may be going too fast by the engine/road noise etc. Today I drive a car that is fitted with sufficient dampening that this is difficult. However, the joys of modern technology are such that I can have an alarm activate to tell me!

Nearest three lane motorway etc is some 330 miles away ....