Speed Limits

Powell Is Pleasant

I passed my driving just a couple of weeks ago, and got a car soon after.
I'm still a little nervous and inexperienced, so I've tried to go for a little drive every day, even if it's just around the block.

But one thing I've noticed in this short time is that people get REALLY angry when you drive at the speed limit. I've also noticed a few comments on here, in different threads, about people getting annoyed with this.

So what's the deal? At the moment, I'm not driving above the speed limit, because it's the law, and that seems sensible to me. But just last night, I was going at 20mph on a 20mph road and had someone overtake me.
Is this the sort of thing where, after years of driving these roads, I'll be able to say "Come on, it's clear ahead, there's no speed camera, you don't need to drive that slowly here" ?
Another example I remember is someone (sorry, can't remember who or where) saying on here that even though the speed limit was 50 on one road, they expected everyone to drive closer to 60.

To be honest, the attitude I'd like to have is to simply say "forget it, I'm driving safely and within the expectations of the law, if they want to drive up close behind me or overtake, that's their problem, I don't need to care." But that's easier said than done.

Bryan_Kynsie

If you get caught over the speed limit you will get points and fines and your insurance will go up. First rule therefore is careful!

Some but not all speed limits are set too low which frustrates people but really you can't be blamed for observing them. Authorities are well aware that mucking about with speed limits and especially mobile cameras raises loads of lovely money for them to waste on other projects. If you are careful you won't be the one coughing up.

Brendan_O_Connell

Congratulations on passing your test.

The more you drive on the roads, the more you will see that there are so many dickheads driving around as well.

Ignore them, drive how you feel comfortable driving and if someone is being impatient, well, like you say, that's their problem.

Driving sensibly doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong, it means you're staying safe and obeying the law.

Halix

I wouldn't worry too much, the speed limits are merely treated like a "serving suggestion", in a few weeks you will be flashing your lights, beeping your horn, and doing 100 in a 30 zone like the rest of us, but just in the meantime gedouttamybluddyway!

Greenie

Just nail it wherever you are, and learn to handbrake turn into a parking space too.

Oh yes---congrats on passing your test.

Daggs

I could go into a very long rant about the idiocy of speed limits and how they are set, but i won't.
My advice is drive in accordance with the limit at all times. If someone else wishes to speed or make crazy overtaking manouveres, let them. Don't get dragged into conflict.

Halix

Or failing that buy an old police car and everyone (with the exception of Greenie apparantly) will be doing 29mph behind you.

Halix

Or a tractor!

cafcfan

I've been driving for more years than I care to think about. IMO, drivers these days are much more likely to stick to the speed limit than they ever used to - certainly around where I live.

There are exceptions however. People know that there are precious few black rats around now. So, if the roads are clear and there are no scameras, drivers will take the risk. In a similar way, on major roads people know that (except in variable speed/average speed sections of motorways and where there are road works) the scameras are set for a speed a little over the limit. What with that and many speedometers reading over optimistically, travelling at an indicated 76mph on a motorway is not going to get you into trouble.

One thing though - are you driving an older car - which is likely to have a less accurate speedo or has your vehicle got non-OEM wheel and tyre sizes which can lead to a speedo misread? Even worn but still legal or under-inflated tyres have a small effect.

Can you check your speedo accuracy against a sat nav or a mobile 'phone GPS app? You might think you are travelling at 30mph but in reality its maybe only, say, 27mph.

Unusually my car is slightly pessimistic it thinks 72mph is 70mph. Most tend to read the other way.

As for tailgaters. It's boring and however tempting it might be to brake-test them, if you feel uncomfortable the best thing to do is pull over and let them pass.

Finally keep doing the daily trips - practise makes perfect as they say!

Halix

Or to really piss everyone off wear a hat, put the sunvisor down, smoke a pipe, and tow a bloody caravan!!.

Rizzo

Speed limits in this country are a joke but you're not being unreasonable by sticking to them, especially if you've only just passed your test. Whilst I may, possibly, occasionally exceed those limits I don't get angry at anyone sticking to them. I do however get angry at people travelling significantly slower than the speed limit when there's no good reason to do so.

Algarveaddick

Halix said:

Or to really piss everyone off wear a hat, put the sunvisor down, smoke a pipe, and tow a caravan!!.

You forgot to mention leaving your fog lights on all the time...

All_Thaid_Up

Not indicating is a far bigger problem than driving slowly.

Powell Is Pleasant

cafcfan said:

I've been driving for more years than I care to think about. IMO, drivers these days are much more likely to stick to the speed limit than they ever used to - certainly around where I live.

There are exceptions however. People know that there are precious few black rats around now. So, if the roads are clear and there are no scameras, drivers will take the risk. In a similar way, on major roads people know that (except in variable speed/average speed sections of motorways and where there are road works) the scameras are set for a speed a little over the limit. What with that and many speedometers reading over optimistically, travelling at an indicated 76mph on a motorway is not going to get you into trouble.

One thing though - are you driving an older car - which is likely to have a less accurate speedo or has your vehicle got non-OEM wheel and tyre sizes which can lead to a speedo misread? Even worn but still legal or under-inflated tyres have a small effect.

Can you check your speedo accuracy against a sat nav or a mobile 'phone GPS app? You might think you are travelling at 30mph but in reality its maybe only, say, 27mph.

Unusually my car is slightly pessimistic it thinks 72mph is 70mph. Most tend to read the other way.

As for tailgaters. It's boring and however tempting it might be to brake-test them, if you feel uncomfortable the best thing to do is pull over and let them pass.

Finally keep doing the daily trips - practise makes perfect as they say!

Perhaps you're right - the car is 8 years old, so I'll have a look at verifying the speed I'm travelling.

Thanks for the encouragement everyone, it is very helpful. I think where I'm still so inexperienced, I can't help but take other drivers' ire towards me as a harsh criticism. Looking forward to a day when I just won't care!

golfaddick

I expect you wash,wax & polish your car every sunday as well !! Don't worry, you'll join the rest of us within the next 6 months.........

LenGlover

Just do 50 MPH in the outside lane of the motorway when there is nothing in front of you or inside you to overtake.

I drive 25K miles a year, much of it on motorways, and I am increasingly seeing this.

So annoying! Do you sit there or go completely against the grain and under take?

Congratulations on passing your test. One of my daughters also passed last week. Drive so that you are comfortable, with the proviso that you are within the law and highway code of course, you have as much right to be on the road as anybody else!

Halix

Algarveaddick said:

Halix said:

Or to really piss everyone off wear a hat, put the sunvisor down, smoke a pipe, and tow a caravan!!.

You forgot to mention leaving your fog lights on all the time...

And you need to get yourself a Churchill nodding dog, a box of travel sweets, a car blanket or a box of tissues on the rear parcel shelf.

Halix

All_Thaid_Up said:

Not indicating is a far bigger problem than driving slowly.

Why give them a clue, keep everyone guessing.

Powell Is Pleasant

LenGlover said:

Just do 50 MPH in the outside lane of the motorway when there is nothing in front of you or inside you to overtake.

I drive 25K miles a year, much of it on motorways, and I am increasingly seeing this.

So annoying! Do you sit there or go completely against the grain and under take?

Congratulations on passing your test. One of my daughters also passed last week. Drive so that you are comfortable, with the proviso that you are within the law and highway code of course, you have as much right to be on the road as anybody else!

Think the undertaking happens when it all goes badly wrong...

Halix

My personal bugbears are drivers undertaking on motorways, and people (usually In Mercs, Audis or BMWs for some reason) who always try and cut in at the last moment at junctions or lane closures, UTTER, UTTER, UTTER, UTTER B#STARDS!!! Oh and keep cool dont let them wind you up.

Dazzler21

Powell Is Pleasant said:

I passed my driving just a couple of weeks ago, and got a car soon after.
I'm still a little nervous and inexperienced, so I've tried to go for a little drive every day, even if it's just around the block.

But one thing I've noticed in this short time is that people get REALLY angry when you drive at the speed limit. I've also noticed a few comments on here, in different threads, about people getting annoyed with this.

So what's the deal? At the moment, I'm not driving above the speed limit, because it's the law, and that seems sensible to me. But just last night, I was going at 20mph on a 20mph road and had someone overtake me.
Is this the sort of thing where, after years of driving these roads, I'll be able to say "Come on, it's clear ahead, there's no speed camera, you don't need to drive that slowly here" ?
Another example I remember is someone (sorry, can't remember who or where) saying on here that even though the speed limit was 50 on one road, they expected everyone to drive closer to 60.

To be honest, the attitude I'd like to have is to simply say "forget it, I'm driving safely and within the expectations of the law, if they want to drive up close behind me or overtake, that's their problem, I don't need to care." But that's easier said than done.

Don't change how you drive.

Keep to the speed limits it's safer. They're there for a reason/

bobmunro

Always be aware of what the actual speed limit is on the road you are driving - the vast majority of drivers don't!

And remember that the actual speed limit isn't compulsory - you should drive at the appropriate speed for the conditions - which of course should never be more than the speed limit but very often should be substantially less. For example, to take a blind corner at 60mph on a country lane with National Speed Limit applied is madness.

McBobbin

Just remember if you get a speeding ticket, it is absolutely not your fault, and is instead a conspiracy to drain money from hard working white middle aged men to give to benefits cheats, foreigners and lesbians

Powell Is Pleasant

McBobbin said:

Just remember if you get a speeding ticket, it is absolutely not your fault, and is instead a conspiracy to drain money from hard working white middle aged men to give to benefits cheats, foreigners and lesbians

I actually thought you were going to make the serious point of "If you get a speeding ticket, it IS your fault - they're not going to waive it on the basis that you felt pressured to drive faster by the car behind you."
Which is sound advice, thank you.

Greenie

Anyone who hogs the outside or middle lanes when the inside lane is clear, should be escorted off the motorway at the next junction, put up against a wall and shot. They are a social menace and should be treated as such.....BTW....Im thinking of getting into politics, would that be a vote winer?

Brendan_O_Connell

Greenie said:

Anyone who hogs the outside or middle lanes when the inside lane is clear, should be escorted off the motorway at the next junction, put up against a wall and shot. They are a social menace and should be treated as such.....BTW....Im thinking of getting into politics, would that be a vote winer?

You have my vote!

Powell Is Pleasant

See, now we're getting some of the anger I was expecting of people - but it's all reasonable anger!
My plan, when I eventually build up the courage to drive on a motorway, is to pretty much stick to the left-hand lane.
...right?

Greenie

LenGlover said:

Just do 50 MPH in the outside lane of the motorway when there is nothing in front of you or inside you to overtake.

I drive 25K miles a year, much of it on motorways, and I am increasingly seeing this.

So annoying! Do you sit there or go completely against the grain and under take?

Congratulations on passing your test. One of my daughters also passed last week. Drive so that you are comfortable, with the proviso that you are within the law and highway code of course, you have as much right to be on the road as anybody else!

I hammer up the inside of them and then cut in front of them, tossers.

We should have freeways like the USA and be able to over take either side.

Seriously, they probably have no idea that it is now an offence to lane hog, 3 points and £60 fine, yet they will moan like hell about someone going a little over the speed limit, when both are breaking the law.

cafcfan

Greenie said:

Anyone who hogs the outside or middle lanes when the inside lane is clear, should be escorted off the motorway at the next junction, put up against a wall and shot. They are a social menace and should be treated as such.....BTW....Im thinking of getting into politics, would that be a vote winer?

Since a law change in 2013 middle-lane hoggers (and tailgaters) are risking a £100 fine. (Granted its a small risk though).

Greenie

Powell Is Pleasant said:

See, now we're getting some of the anger I was expecting of people - but it's all reasonable anger!
My plan, when I eventually build up the courage to drive on a motorway, is to pretty much stick to the left-hand lane.
...right?

Correct, its also safer, lets say your car cuts out, and you are sat at 60 in the outside or middle lane, you need to get to the hard shoulder as quick as possible, and cutting across 3 lanes when your engine has died aint gonna be a laugh is it, if you are trundling along at 60 in the inside lane and the same happens its a much quicker and safer manoeuvre to get to the hard shoulder.

McBobbin

Powell Is Pleasant said:

McBobbin said:

Just remember if you get a speeding ticket, it is absolutely not your fault, and is instead a conspiracy to drain money from hard working white middle aged men to give to benefits cheats, foreigners and lesbians

I actually thought you were going to make the serious point of "If you get a speeding ticket, it IS your fault - they're not going to waive it on the basis that you felt pressured to drive faster by the car behind you."
Which is sound advice, thank you.

I was kind of making that point ... Well, about it being your fault if you get one. I've just heard so many people convinced it isnt their fault. BTW stick to the limit, especially round town. The odds of someone dying if you got them at 40mph are many times greater than at 30 or 20.