Driving Standards

[weltweit]

Yeah tbf I often to into 4th in 30 zones in my shit little 1.2 clio cos it's north of 30 on revs by time I get to 30mph, in better cars with bigger engines I find it easier to stay in 3rd

I have a 1.2 Corsa .. which despite its small engine size can easily exceed 30

 

[Winot]

On the speed course I went on they wibbled on about 3rd gear for 30.

On these courses you get a mixture of people; some are shamed to have have broken the law, some don’t care and are just there to avoid the points and you get the belligerent twonks who feel their driving skills are so shit hot that the course is beneath then. The instructors see these divs every time and every time they make dicks of themselves. On my course the most sneering belligerent div chose 3rd gear to embarrass himself with:

“I drive an automatic, so can’t select a gear.”

Oh dear.

He then had an argument with them that his was the one automatic in the world that didn’t have the ability to select a gear, ending with him sheepishly admitting that he had never read the manual for his car, at first cos he didn’t need to cos he’s so fucking Ayrton Senna and that, but of course had he done so he’d know how to select a gear...

My 2005 Prius doesn’t let you choose a gear. It’s got a ‘brake’ mode for going down steep hills but that’s it.

 

[weltweit]

On the speed course I went on they wibbled on about 3rd gear for 30.

Actually at my awareness course it was only one of the punters that mentioned 3rd gear, the instructors didn't mention it. Nevertheless it seems to help.

On these courses you get a mixture of people; some are shamed to have have broken the law, some don’t care and are just there to avoid the points and you get the belligerent twonks who feel their driving skills are so shit hot that the course is beneath then. The instructors see these divs every time and every time they make dicks of themselves. On my course the most sneering belligerent div chose 3rd gear to embarrass himself with:

Yes, we had a mix of a few types at mine also. I however saw the most potential hazards during the video they showed. I saw 15 items worth remarking on while some only saw 5.

 

[Poi E]

I have found it easier recently to stick to the 30mph limit if I drive in 3rd gear.

Just me but I find the occasional look at the speedometer to be just the ticket. Or not, as the case may be.

 

[weltweit]

Just me but I find the occasional look at the speedometer to be just the ticket. Or not, as the case may be.

I just find it too easy at 30 to slightly increase and approach the 10%+2 tolerance. I look at the speedo frequently in a 30, and just found using 3rd that I maintain 30 more often than when I go into 4th. That is just my feeling, it doesn't have to be the same for everyone.

 

[hash tag]

30 MPH is 30 MPH. Under law there is not set allowance or tolerence, It was rumoured that many manufacturers over stated the speeds showing on speedometers
as they didnt want their cars getting a reputation for law breaking.

Anyway, why are so many being hung up about 30 MPH limits. Round about my parts and Lambeth also, many of the major roads have 20 MPH limits!

 

[hash tag]

This just popped into view, be warned London 20mph road plan 'given green light'

 

[Proper Tidy]

I have a 1.2 Corsa .. which despite its small engine size can easily exceed 30

Well yeah I can exceed 30, it's a car not a moped, it's just if I do it in 3rd it revs high is all

 

[weltweit]

Well yeah I can exceed 30, it's a car not a moped, it's just if I do it in 3rd it revs high is all

That is why I am using 3rd, because it is more apparent when I go a little too fast in a 30.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

My 2005 Prius doesn’t let you choose a gear. It’s got a ‘brake’ mode for going down steep hills but that’s it.

Cars that can run wholly electric are different, but the pious bellends who drive them never break the speed limit anyway, so moot point.

 

[Teaboy]

This just popped into view, be warned London 20mph road plan 'given green light'

Its already the case in some London boroughs. I think I'm the only person in the entire City that takes any notice.

 

[hash tag]

I thought I partly said that in my previous post...never mind.

 

[Winot]

Cars that can run wholly electric are different, but the pious bellends who drive them never break the speed limit anyway, so moot point.

 

[Poi E]

This just popped into view, be warned London 20mph road plan 'given green light'

Legislation, meet current reality. Average speed lower no doubt.

 

[T & P]

Cars that can run wholly electric are different, but the pious bellends who drive them never break the speed limit anyway, so moot point.

Not those who drive Zipcar e-Golfs though

 

[weltweit]

We have some 20s near schools locally but they are only active when lights are on, despite that some motorists clearly can't read signs!

 

[T & P]

Re using a 3rd gear as an aid to stay below 30 mph. Many if not most modern cars are more efficient (and therefore less polluting) on 4th at 30 mph than on 3rd.

Given that pollution, in big cities at least, is almost certainly more damaging and ultimately kills and maims more people than those who might be killed every year *as a direct result* of going slightly over 30 mph, suggesting travelling in 3rd at 30 mph simply to keep speed in check seems to me an extraordinarily absurd proposition, to be perfectly honest.

Even more so when you think that those tempted to use such technique are cautious and safe drivers in the first place, who are already trying to be as safe as possible. How many serious accidents a year are there going to be that are directly caused by a cautious driver who accidentally goes a few mph over the limit? And any driver with basic skills should be able to tell if he is travelling far too fast (as opposed to a little bit over the limit).

Unless the whole exercise is really about avoiding getting caught speeding, rather than ensuring the upmost levels of road safety, which is another matter altogether.

 

[T & P]

Incidentally, any posters who have in the past advocated severe punishments including automatic bans for anyone breaking the 20 mph limit in a 20 mph zone should realise that going 4-5 mph over 20 is far easier than 4-5 mph over 30.

So until we’ve reached the day when autonomous driving or intelligent speed limiters that automatically adjust are compulsory on all vehicles, calling for zero tolerance policing of 20 mph and punishing someone clocked doing 25 mph on a 20 zone is as draconian as is unworkable. I’d gladly bet all my possessions on just about every single driver who says they religiously observe the 20 mph limit to accidentally exceed it by no less than 4-5 mph regularly, if not on every single journey they undertake.

 

[weltweit]

Re using a 3rd gear as an aid to stay below 30 mph. Many if not most modern cars are more efficient (and therefore less polluting) on 4th at 30 mph than on 3rd.

Given that pollution, in big cities at least, is almost certainly more damaging and ultimately kills and maims more people than those who might be killed every year *as a direct result* of going slightly over 30 mph, suggesting travelling in 3rd at 30 mph simply to keep speed in check seems to me an extraordinarily absurd proposition, to be perfectly honest.

Even more so when you think that those tempted to use such technique are cautious and safe drivers in the first place, who are already trying to be as safe as possible. How many serious accidents a year are there going to be that are directly caused by a cautious driver who accidentally goes a few mph over the limit? And any driver with basic skills should be able to tell if he is travelling far too fast (as opposed to a little bit over the limit).

I don't live in a big city, and I find that time spent watching my speedo is time not spent looking out for hazards which is why I like 3rd gear because it is easier to feel the speed compared to 4th.

Unless the whole exercise is really about avoiding getting caught speeding, rather than ensuring the upmost levels of road safety, which is another matter altogether.

Primarily I don't want to be caught speeding yes.

If I had cruise control I would use that.

 

[T & P]

Luckily the authorities have always shown common sense in that department, despite not officially admitting to it. You’d be very unlucky indeed to ever be flashed let alone prosecuted for doing up to 35-37 on a 30.

But what you describe is a good example of the folly that would be introducing a very strict policing of speed limits, certainly at the lower end of the spectrum where accidentally going over it by a few mph is all but unavailable. Having to watch the speedometer constantly in a world where being caught doing 24 on a 20 even momentarily would land you a severe punishment would do more harm than good on the whole. Best to wait until automatic speed limiters or self driving cars arrive.

 

[Saul Goodman]

Luckily the authorities have always shown common sense in that department, despite not officially admitting to it. You’d be very unlucky indeed to ever be flashed let alone prosecuted for doing up to 35-37 on a 30.

I'm pretty sure that 35 - 37 in a 30 would land you a ticket 99% of the time.

 

[weltweit]

My understanding is that it is 10% + 2 .. so I was ticketed doing 79 in a 70 because 10% would have been 77 plus 2 makes 79 and that was me ..

However, in a 30 it would be 33 + 2 = 35 at which point you would get a ticket.

 

[Proper Tidy]

Luckily the authorities have always shown common sense in that department, despite not officially admitting to it. You’d be very unlucky indeed to ever be flashed let alone prosecuted for doing up to 35-37 on a 30.

But what you describe is a good example of the folly that would be introducing a very strict policing of speed limits, certainly at the lower end of the spectrum where accidentally going over it by a few mph is all but unavailable. Having to watch the speedometer constantly in a world where being caught doing 24 on a 20 even momentarily would land you a severe punishment would do more harm than good on the whole. Best to wait until automatic speed limiters or self driving cars arrive.

This isn't true. Other half had to do a speed awareness course couple of years back for 33 in a 30 (camera) and a mate had to do course for 65 in a 60 (on dual carriageway but variable speed - copper on a bridge with a gun)

 

[Proper Tidy]

My understanding is that it is 10% + 2 .. so I was ticketed doing 79 in a 70 because 10% would have been 77 plus 2 makes 79 and that was me ..

However, in a 30 it would be 33 + 2 = 35 at which point you would get a ticket.

The 10 + 2 thing isn't hard and fast and different forces have different stances

What is the "10%+2" rule and what does it mean? - Road Law Barristers

 

[T & P]

I'm pretty sure that 35 - 37 in a 30 would land you a ticket 99% of the time.

Perhaps, but then it’s also possible cars’ speedometers err on the side of caution a bit to avoid any chance of lawsuits? No harm done if your car is giving you a reading 2-3 mph slower than your true speed. But if a model was proven to deliver readings just 2-3 mph slower than the true speed, the consequences of being sued by car owners and losing would be catas

This isn't true. Other half had to do a speed awareness course couple of years back for 33 in a 30 (camera) and a mate had to do course for 65 in a 60 (on dual carriageway but variable speed - copper on a bridge with a gun)

Wow, surprised to hear that.

 

[weltweit]

Since I got my ticket and awareness course I have been observing the limits more rigorously. TBF the only one I used to break all the time was the motorway limit. Anyhow I have noticed that staying at 70 rather than the 80 odd I used to do, I now get about 30-40 miles more per tank of petrol.

 

[Saul Goodman]

Perhaps, but then it’s also possible cars’ speedometers err on the side of caution a bit to avoid any chance of lawsuits? No harm done if your car is giving you a reading 2-3 mph slower than your true speed. But if a model was proven to deliver readings just 2-3 mph slower than the true speed, the consequences of being sued by car owners and losing would be catas

Wow, surprised to hear that.

Which has absolutely nothing to do with actual speed, and 35 to 37 in a 30

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Frau Bahn and I both got done by the same camera in Chertsey and the NIP stayed both times 36mph.

 

[hash tag]

Perhaps, but then it’s also possible cars’ speedometers err on the side of caution a bit to avoid any chance of lawsuits? No harm done if your car is giving you a reading 2-3 mph slower than your true speed. But if a model was proven to deliver readings just 2-3 mph slower than the true speed, the consequences of being sued by car owners and losing would be catas
.

30 MPH is 30 MPH. Under law there is not set allowance or tolerence, It was rumoured that many manufacturers over stated the speeds showing on speedometers
as they didnt want their cars getting a reputation for law breaking.

 

[hash tag]

Frau Bahn and I both got done by the same camera in Chertsey and the NIP stayed both times 36mph.

Audi drivers; speaks for itself really.

Perhaps, but then it’s also possible cars’ speedometers err on the side of caution a bit to avoid any chance of lawsuits? No harm done if your car is giving you a reading 2-3 mph slower than your true speed.

On the whole, Mrs t is very good at observing the speed limits

As for watching the speedo; the Mazda has a heads up display which shows what spped you are doing.