Are you a Flasher

[Frank Manning]

We should be observing the road signs, and taking note of them, including the speed signs. I was docked a point on my IAMs test recently for doing 55mph down hill in the 50mph, and although I corrected it quickly, and had a minor mitigating circumstance, as the examiner said, you muct concentrate on all aspects of driving. So I dont flash my lights unless there is a really serious road hazard to warn motorists about. To let people cross in front of me, or to pull out I slow right down or stop and let them make their own decision based on what they see.

IAMs people tell me that if we stick to 30mph in those zones we will get cut up by impatient drivers, but the speed limit is there fr a reason and if we get caught breaking it, we only have ourselves to blame.

[Silver_Shiney]

We should be observing the road signs, and taking note of them, including the speed signs. I was docked a point on my IAMs test recently for doing 55mph down hill in the 50mph, and although I corrected it quickly, and had a minor mitigating circumstance, as the examiner said, you muct concentrate on all aspects of driving. So I dont flash my lights unless there is a really serious road hazard to warn motorists about. To let people cross in front of me, or to pull out I slow right down or stop and let them make their own decision based on what they see.

IAMs people tell me that if we stick to 30mph in those zones we will get cut up by impatient drivers, but the speed limit is there fr a reason and if we get caught breaking it, we only have ourselves to blame.

Quite so.

[Onelife]

We should be observing the road signs, and taking note of them, including the speed signs. I was docked a point on my IAMs test recently for doing 55mph down hill in the 50mph, and although I corrected it quickly, and had a minor mitigating circumstance, as the examiner said, you muct concentrate on all aspects of driving. So I dont flash my lights unless there is a really serious road hazard to warn motorists about. To let people cross in front of me, or to pull out I slow right down or stop and let them make their own decision based on what they see.

IAMs people tell me that if we stick to 30mph in those zones we will get cut up by impatient drivers, but the speed limit is there fr a reason and if we get caught breaking it, we only have ourselves to blame.

Good Afternoon Frank,

I’m not unsympathetic to your views as I like you try and observe the Highway Code while driving.

Having re-read my previous post it may come across as a little flippant with regard to speeding fines... in truth I don’t approve of anyone who has a total disregard for speeding restrictions. I do however have sympathy for those like myself who have been made to cough up for minor speeding infringements which when all said and done probably don’t contribute anything to accident sististics especially when compared against those who speed with total disregard for road conditions and in areas where speeding is more likely to cause accidents.

As I have said previously I’m not opposed to speeding cameras but I don’t believe the vast majority of speeding cameras serve any other proposes other than a stealth tax on what in the main are responsible car drivers.

Regards

Keith

[Frank Manning]

MMm! There is a fixed speed camera in Glenferness Avenue, Bournemouth which is quite strategically located just at the end of a long wide straight, and before a staggered cross roads and corner. It is in an excellent position, last week however the 'boys in blue' were operating a hand held speed camera about 300 yards before the fixed one, I doubt if they caught anyone the high vis jackets made them stand out against the trees.

What is far worse than drivers sticking to the speed limit, is people hassling you from behind, because they want to go faster, and flashing their lights etc. Ladies in chelsea tractors collecting their little darlings from the girls private school in that area, are among the worst offenders.

[Delboy]

Yesterday I was out driving around town, but not actually in it, visited a garden nursery centre, also drove along the sea front. Later in the evening when it was dark, we visited the next town for a meal.

During these drives, I just kept up with the flow of the traffic, which was constantly on the move.
Now most times, when driving like this I feel no need to look at the speedometer, as I am just keeping up with flow. However yesterday, in light of this thread, I did on occasions look at the speedometer. On 30mph roads, I noticed at times the speedometer crept up to 35/37mph, and at other times it dropped below 30mph, the same on 40mph roads, maximum speed creeping up to 45/47mph.
The traffic was constantly on the move, nobody holding it up, never felt the need to overtake, and it was a pleasure to be driving.

Yet other occasions, you can go out similar driving conditions, the difference is, you come across a driver who decides they are going to stick rigidly to the speed limit.
What do you normally find in this situation, the road in front of this driver is absolutely clear, not another vehicle in sight. There is no flow of traffic, normally behind them, they are being followed by a long queue of frustrated motorists, bumper to bumper, all looking for the first opportunity to overtake, and when they do, speed off into the distance due to their frustration.

I know if I am out driving, I would far rather be driving with flow of traffic, even if the speedometer did gradually creep up over the speed limit, than follow one of these drivers.
As I have already posted we very rarely have mobile speed traps in this are, fixed speed camera's normally are only a deterrent to visitors to a town, as most of the locals know where they are.

Also these days with Sat Navs, normally telling you where the cameras are, both mobile and fixed, no need to flash other drivers.


Sent from my iPad

[david63]

Unfortunately Delboy "I was only keeping up with the flow of traffic" is not considered as a valid reason for breaking the law.

[Silver_Shiney]

Yet other occasions, you can go out similar driving conditions, the difference is, you come across a driver who decides they are going to stick rigidly to the speed limit.
What do you normally find in this situation, the road in front of this driver is absolutely clear, not another vehicle in sight. There is no flow of traffic, normally behind them, they are being followed by a long queue of frustrated motorists, bumper to bumper, all looking for the first opportunity to overtake, and when they do, speed off into the distance due to their frustration.

That'll be me, then. I endeavour to stick rigidly to the speed limit because it is the law and I am not above the law. As I said earlier, if I speed up to please those who are arrogant enough to think the law on speed limits does not apply to them, it'll be me who gets "done".

If you are that unhappy with the speed limit, complain to the authorities and get them to increase it. I'll drive at whatever the speed limit is, got no problem driving fast when the law allows it (although I do, when it's safe to do so, drive at 60 on the motorway to save fuel)

[Manoverboard]

I agree totally with Delboy, go with the flow.

Darzet for example has a lot of narrow roads and following the ' Church Warden ', or similar, in a Moggie Minor at 25 mph gets right on yer t*ts ... and it can lead to a lot of frustration, even death due to blood letting , when one is in a hurry like wot I was when trying to get to the Hospital after nearly chopping off my finger last year.

[GillD46]

I really hate the awful feeling of being pressured to drive faster than I want to by the traffic behind, just because I'm keeping to the speed limit.

[Stephen]

I agree totally with Delboy, go with the flow.

Darzet for example has a lot of narrow roads and following the ' Church Warden ', or similar, in a Moggie Minor at 25 mph gets right on yer t*ts ... and it can lead to a lot of frustration, even death due to blood letting , when one is in a hurry like wot I was when trying to get to the Hospital after nearly chopping off my finger last year.

That's a trick and half Moby, driving while trying to amputate at the same time

[Silver_Shiney]

I agree totally with Delboy, go with the flow.

Darzet for example has a lot of narrow roads and following the ' Church Warden ', or similar, in a Moggie Minor at 25 mph gets right on yer t*ts ... and it can lead to a lot of frustration, even death due to blood letting , when one is in a hurry like wot I was when trying to get to the Hospital after nearly chopping off my finger last year.

As well as prosecuting those who drive above the speed limit, action should be taken those driving below the limit when they are causing a hold-up.

[Delboy]

Unfortunately Delboy "I was only keeping up with the flow of traffic" is not considered as a valid reason for breaking the law.

David

Did not say it was, but would hazard a guess that this is the way the overwhelming number of motorists on the road drive.

Thankfully the numbers of drivers who stick rigidly to the speed limit 100% of the time, the same as those drivers who drive like maniacs, with no consideration for other road user, or road conditions, are in the minority.
It's also why most fixed speed cameras have a leeway of a few miles over the speed limit built in, unless the are situated in what is regarded as a dangerous stretch of road.

I always try to drive as the road and driving conditions allow, taking into account other road users, I also believe those who drive in this manner, even although at times it may mean they exceed the speed limit by a few miles at times, do not contribute any more to road accident statistics, than those who stick rigidly to the speed limit, irrespective of the road conditions.

Have been driving for nearly 55 years, other than when I was in my late teens, have a clean driving licence.

[Manoverboard]

I agree totally with Delboy, go with the flow.

Darzet for example has a lot of narrow roads and following the ' Church Warden ', or similar, in a Moggie Minor at 25 mph gets right on yer t*ts ... and it can lead to a lot of frustration, even death due to blood letting , when one is in a hurry like wot I was when trying to get to the Hospital after nearly chopping off my finger last year.

That's a trick and half Moby, driving while trying to amputate at the same time

Easier than you think, Mobietta was driving

[Frank Manning]

I agree totally with Delboy, go with the flow.

Darzet for example has a lot of narrow roads and following the ' Church Warden ', or similar, in a Moggie Minor at 25 mph gets right on yer t*ts ... and it can lead to a lot of frustration, even death due to blood letting , when one is in a hurry like wot I was when trying to get to the Hospital after nearly chopping off my finger last year.

As well as prosecuting those who drive above the speed limit, action should be taken those driving below the limit when they are causing a hold-up.

It is frustrating, I followed a lady from Sandbanks to Evening Hill this afternoon doing 20mph all the way while gassing to the lady in the passenger seat and pointing out the sights in Poole Harbour. However, whatever Delboy says, the speed limit is there for a reason, and people who drive at 30mph in the restricted zones are driving sensibly and carefully, and if hey slow you up, then they may be doing you a favout. It is a fact that speed kills, and there were a series of campaigns showing the difference in injury profile between a child hit at 35mph and one at 30 mph; there was a significant difference.

I did 55 in the 50 and 33 in the 30 and lost a point on my test. I said to the examiner "I didn't think you would notice". His laughing reply was "Once a copper, always a copper". He was right and I was wrong.

[Dark Knight]

I wonder if the
"I was only keeping up with the flow of traffic " brigade would be as sanctimonious and smug, if they were ploughed into by someone adopting the same approach as them at 10-15 mph over the limit
there is no excuse for speeding and trying to be clever about speeding just shows the idiocy of people, the limits are their for a reason not to be ignored when you feel like it

[Manoverboard]

The limits are imposed for a good reason .... most of the time.

Going with the flow and half a million miles later without a bump, speeding fine or an insurance claim tells it's own story.

Irresponsible and inexperienced drivers are the ones who kill or crunch rather than those with good judgement and anticipation skills ... who just happen to go with the flow, albeit sometimes a little faster than the set limits but only when it is deemed safe so to do.

[Dark Knight]

Moby
hopefully it will stay that way.......well ,until another driver runs into you at a good lick over the speed limit and his/her defence will be "just keeping up with the flow...no harm done then", I am sure you would be happy to let them off, as they are only doing the same as the rest of you

[Manoverboard]

Just this week

[Delboy]

It's interesting There is not a single advanced driving theory that is based on rigidly sticking to speed limits. Good drivers vary their speed to the conditions prevalent at the time, and you will not turn the bad drivers into good drivers, by rigidly sticking to the speed limits.

[Silver_Shiney]

Good drivers vary their speed to the conditions prevalent at the time,

WITHIN the prevalent prescribed speed limit.

GOOD drivers observe the law. End of.

[david63]

The one and only time I was caught speeding was when I was "going with the flow" - it says it all really

[Frank Manning]

It's interesting There is not a single advanced driving theory that is based on rigidly sticking to speed limits. Good drivers vary their speed to the conditions prevalent at the time, and you will not turn the bad drivers into good drivers, by rigidly sticking to the speed limits.

I should try reading 'Skill for Life' from The Institute of Advanced Motorists, Del. They dont call it a theory, they call it the law, and they cover this point on page 51 of Advanced Driving the essential guide. i.e. " Speed limits show you the maximum speed you can drive at. In busy urban environments, or anywhere with many potential hazards -- it may be advisable to drive even slower" and, " Dont ever be pressured into breaking the speed limit by drivers behind you".

The stopping distance at 30mph in perfect conditions is 75 feet. Plenty of time in which to hit something or worse someone. The faster you are going the further you will travel, while you are simply deciding what to do, braking distance is also increased.

[Delboy]

Good drivers vary their speed to the conditions prevalent at the time,

WITHIN the prevalent prescribed speed limit.

GOOD drivers observe the law. End of.

Alan

If you are going to quote me, please use my whole quotation, instead of taking lines and posting them out of context.

OK so I know it is the speed limit, and its there for a reason, and its the law, etc, etc, we all know the morality of it, but who can honestly say they have NEVER EVER gone over the limit??
It would appear the majority of posters on this thread (wry smile), certainly I see very few as I travel around the country.

Still I will remember, when it's completely taken my concentration off the road and my hazard perception, and I am focused 100% on my speed, and I panic as I check my speed and see it creeping up to 32mph. Even more so, when by increasing my speed above the limit, it could save me from being involved in a dangerous accident situation.

[oldbluefox]

I think the problem with speed limits and speeding is the blanket application of unrealistic speed limits. The 30mph limit was set many years ago and, of course technology in motor cars has improved out of all proportion. However our roads have actually changed very little and most of the onus in accident prevention rests on the shoulders of the motorist. To me this is the easy opt out and is backed up by punitive measures against anyone who steps over the mark.

Why is money not invested in making roads safer by design, making pedestrians and cyclists responsible by law for their own road safety, revising speed limits and increasing them where it is safe to do so, lowering them in danger spots, development of play streets but on the spot fines for jay-walking on main streets, the development of a 'Green Wave' along ring roads etc (hit the green traffic light, keep to the speed limit and all other lights will be on green), provision of proper cycle lanes etc?

You will guess I remain rather cynical when it comes to road safety since roads could be made much safer by design rather than relying on speed cameras to do the job which do little to actually prevent accidents.

[Silver_Shiney]

Good drivers vary their speed to the conditions prevalent at the time,

WITHIN the prevalent prescribed speed limit.

GOOD drivers observe the law. End of.

Alan

If you are going to quote me, please use my whole quotation, instead of taking lines and posting them out of context.

OK so I know it is the speed limit, and its there for a reason, and its the law, etc, etc, we all know the morality of it, but who can honestly say they have NEVER EVER gone over the limit??
It would appear the majority of posters on this thread (wry smile), certainly I see very few as I travel around the country.

Still I will remember, when it's completely taken my concentration off the road and my hazard perception, and I am focused 100% on my speed, and I panic as I check my speed and see it creeping up to 32mph. Even more so, when by increasing my speed above the limit, it could save me from being involved in a dangerous accident situation.

With respect, Del, although I edited out most of your comment, it did not detract from the context one iota. I agree that "you will not turn the bad drivers into good drivers, by rigidly sticking to the speed limits" but my point still stands - a good driver does NOT break the speed limit. I will, however, qualify that statement - a good driver does not intentionally break the speed limit. I've done it unintentionally many times but, as soon as I've realised my error, I've slowed down.

You also mentioned the supposed tailback (only supposed - because if the others observed the limit willingly, they wouldnt' be bunching up growing impatient) driving nose-to-tail. I once had a huge lorry driving behind me at 50mph, I doubt if there was more than 6 inches between us. I asked a policeman later if it would have been permissible to accelerate to create a safe distance. He said had I done so, I would have been nicked for speeding. The correct procedure is to gradually slow down. So, if the driver behind me starts tailgating me when I am observing the law, as he won't keep a safe distance for the speed (remember the "two second rule", I will adjust my speed to match his distance. If that means walking pace, so be it.

Going back to the rest of your response - you accept that it is the law and that the limit is there for a reason but, honestly, mate, your whole tenor is that you couldn't give a stuff about it.