Are you a Flasher

[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.

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.

Alan

I assure you I do give a stuff about it, I just happen to believe there is a difference in speeding, and driving on occasions over the speed limit.
It is also interesting that driver aware courses, are offered by courts, rather than points on licence, to drivers who are +10% over the limit, plus 9mph or less. Above that, if found guilty will receive a fine plus points on licence.
Just to add I have never been on a course, and also have a clean licence.

As I posted earlier I always try to drive as the road and driving conditions allow, taking into account other road users.

Most accidents happen because of driver error. I also realise because a sign on the the side of a road, indicates a speed limit, it can at times be dangerous taking into account road conditions and the weather, to be driving at the indicated speed, and at other times you could be causing a hazard by driving too slow. Both of these situations could also result in you receiving a ticket from the police, the same as you could if driving over the limit.

As for Speed cameras they only deal with drivers who are speeding.

Yes at times if I think driving conditions allow, and always taking into account other road users, I may drive over the indicated limit, at other times I will reduce my speed within the limit, taking into account road conditions, the weather and other road users.

I certainly do not tailgate, and always drive at a safe distance when following other vehicles, however just because somebody rigidly keeps to the speed limits, they may be a good driver, but not necessary a safe driver.

[Manoverboard]

Well ... if anybody is seriously saying that they are prepared to slow right down to walking pace just to score a cheap point over a tailgating lorry driver then that, to me, does not indicate a good driver because such action is likely to cause anger or even road rage and that in turn will lead to errors of judgement in their various forms being made.

Sorry Alan

[Silver_Shiney]

Well ... if anybody is seriously saying that they are prepared to slow right down to walking pace just to score a cheap point over a tailgating lorry driver then that, to me, does not indicate a good driver because such action is likely to cause anger or even road rage and that in turn will lead to errors of judgement in their various forms being made.

Sorry Alan

I'm only going by what the police told me to do. If you don't like it, take it up with them.

[Kendhni]

A few weeks ago I was taking my normal route home and slowly but surely overtaking a few cars. The speed limit was 60 and I was doing 63 according to my cruise control. A Jeep came flying up onto my tail, I was thinking about moving over, after I had finished overtaking the next car, but he backed off and so I thought he was happy enough ... after another couple of cars he came flying onto my tail again so rather than get annoyed with such a retard, my intention was to move over after the next car and get rid of him.

I overtook and was about to move to the inside lane (still on cruise control) when he cut off the car on the inside lane (forcing him to brake hard) and came flying up my inside and then cut out infront of me and jammed the brakes on hard ... I have no idea how i missed him ... my ABS, EBD and other combinations of letters was kicking in overtime. I did the wrong thing and beeped at the retard at which point he jammed the brakes on again forcing me to brak eheavily a second time.

I did the only honourable thing, took his number plate and gave it to the police as a reckless and dangerous driver deliberately trying to cause an accident and, in my words to the police, 'was obviously suffering PMT and unfit to be behind a wheel' ... I then thought nothing more about it.

I was talking to one of my neighbours, a policeman, a few weeks later and he recognised the plate and mentioned that he had been the officer sent out to talk to the person and from what I gather, the Jeep driver is not only a dangerous idiot but is also a liar (he claimed I was doing 30mph, driving erratically etc. .. maybe I need to get my cruise control fixed?) .. I also learned that the other driver he had cut off (I have no idea who he is) had also reported him and had confirmed my story. Suffice to say that the police have his registration active on their computers and I am told his driving behaviour is being watched.