Be honest!

[alex24]

Well, it IS for me to decide what's dangerous, as i have ton's of 60mph roads near me that you'd have to literally be suicidal to do 60mph on, but i have other 60mph roads near me as wide/flat/straight as a runway. Why are they both 60mph? Because it's an arbitrary number rather than a reflection of how hazardous the road is.

You're confusing driving below the limit with above the limit. Of course you can't go 60 all the time on the roads, even if it is the limit.

I probably will get caught out one day. But the difference is, i am able to judge what is appropriate for a given road, in given conditions, but a sign post is not. I respect 30 and 40 limits and never drive quickly along these roads, but when there an NSL which is clear, why shouldn't i drive to how hazardous it is? Try and answer this one without the usual "BUT IT'S THE LOR!11!!!" and use your own head and think about it.

So are you saying it's OK to speed on a NSL road? i.e. go over 60 mph when you feel it's safe? That's not driving in accordance with your license and yes, you would get caught. It will help subsidise the police force.

It failed to protect 28,567 in 2008. Yet only circa 6% (IIRC) (Source: DfT) of these were caused by excess speed?

That doesn't prove anything, and if you're correct in your guess, over 1700 people died because of speeding. Acceptable risk?

I don't like them, because they're pointless. The government is using a blunt instrument to try and tackle a problem....like always.

What do you suggest? I think it's clear not everyone can be trusted on their own. Perhaps speed limiters in cars working with GPS? Then you couldn't exceed the imposed limit. Giving people who aren't fully informed on how dangerous a road is, or know the possible consequences of driving dangerously, a choice will result in abuse of the system. Once again, if there were no accidents there would be no need to impose arbitrary limits.

 

[Gaygle]

You're confusing driving below the limit with above the limit. Of course you can't go 60 all the time on the roads, even if it is the limit.

No, my point is that they've put 60mph in EVERY NSL road, when some are much safer than others - this is where common sense comes into it.

So are you saying it's OK to speed on a NSL road? i.e. go over 60 mph when you feel it's safe?

I'm saying that it's not ok to speed in a 30mph, 40mph because their are usually legitimate hazards on these roads. It is more acceptable to exceed 60mph on a NSL road due to the absence of some of these hazards.

That's not driving in accordance with your license and yes, you would get caught. It will help subsidise the police force.

Would you just think for yourself for ONE second?

That doesn't prove anything, and if you're correct in your guess, over 1700 people died because of speeding. Acceptable risk?

28,000 wasn't deaths - it was deaths and serious injuries. What about the other 94%? It seems the government is hell bent on focussing on that 6%? It couldn't be the fact that it also happens to be a nice little money earner could it?

What do you suggest? I think it's clear not everyone can be trusted on their own.

Of course they can't. My advice would be give more driving training to young drivers, possibly limit the power of the car, repair the bloody roads once in a while?!

Perhaps speed limiters in cars working with GPS? Then you couldn't exceed the imposed limit.

Why are you so obsessed with speed? You realise i can fly off a road doing 50mph around a bend right?

Once again, if there were no accidents there would be no need to impose arbitrary limits.

There's never going to be no accidents. With X million amount of car's on the road there's always going to be some collisions. We need to teach people that driving like a dick is not cool.

 

[ashrobbo]

I got an sp30, for doing 64mph along the m5 with those damn yellow camera, me thinking they dont actually work.... turns out they do.

I do have spurts of racing people off lights, ive just put my finance down on a zetec-s fiesta so im sure thats not goingto help!
i do find myself often 5-10mph over the speed limit, but never anything ridiculous.

 

[RedvGreen]

Why are you so obsessed with speed? You realise i can fly off a road doing 50mph around a bend right?

You could also drink + drive, decide it would be fun to drive on the other side of the road, whilst having a cup of sobering tea and texting at the same time at 20MPH on a single lane carriageway!

Speed =/= Exclusively Dangerous, it is not the cause but the result of dangerous driving.

 

[mjt]

I live in Belgium and therefore drive accordingly.
Well, that's my excuse anyway

Regarding traffic light GPs, I've never really found anybody that wants to race. Almost everything is an underpowered diesel over here though, so I'm in the same boat

 

[pcoltrane]

If you want to race and/or drive your car on or near the limits - then get on a race track. It's that simple.

I makes absolutely no sense to me how people can spend £1000s on quick cars to do traffic light GPs and generally drive like **** - yet they don't race cars/karts/bikes on a track?! Racing is 100 times the thrill you can get by driving quickly on the road and you don't put innocent lives at risk by doing it. Surely it's an easy choice to make?

It's really not difficult and doesn't even have to be expensive to get yourself on track. The desire to drive like a tit on the road soon goes away if you have an outlet far more exciting to get your speed thrills from.

To the OP - sounds like you really need to buy yourself a kart/race car or race bike before you accidentally kill someone on the road.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I have driven fast cars for many years now and I rarely get challenged at traffic lights, probably 2 or 3 times in the last 10 years. I sense if you look for it you'll find it...

This.

Some people, if you beleive the bilge they post, appear to live on the set of 2Fast 2Furious. I can perhaps sort of beleive that if you drive something like an Impreza you will sometimes get people trying to 'race' you but to post reams and reams of drivel about the various 'races' you have your 2 litre Volvo Estate? It's just daft and silly mentality, given they probably never happened anyway.

The amount of times you actually pull up at the lights next to somebody who'd race you are so minute you just have to wonder where some of these stories come from.

Look at Housey - 10 years of driving M3's and 911's and only 3 people have tried to race him off the lights. Yet we are supposed to beleive its a daily occurance if you drive an old Volvo Estate with wheeltrims?

 

[mjt]

Are people talking about proper racing here with wheel spinning, etc?
Or just people who accelerate quickly off the lights and you try to keep up/overtake/etc ?

 

[Eliot]

I can see where your coming from fox and totally agree however my friend bought a corsa vxr a month ago and since that he's been challanged three times already admittely I don't think any were at the lights

 

[Moeks]

Are people talking about proper racing here with wheel spinning, etc?
Or just people who accelerate quickly off the lights and you try to keep up/overtake/etc ?

Mostly this I think, that's what most of the few encounters I have had have been like, I don't think anyone really intended to race it just sort of happened when the revs rose and such. Or people trying to out accelerate you off a round-about etc, 98% of the time no one takes any notice, every so often though some one responds to this by gunning it.

I wont do full bore standing starts anyway, not with a 10 year old 100k automatic gearbox in need of a service.

 

[Andr3w]

If the conditions allow on NSL then of course I like to have abit of fun every now and then! I mean come on the noise of vtec at 8000RPM its pretty addictive

However around towns/schools/built up areas etc i'd never dream of driving stupidly, it annoys me when people do!

I enjoy driving and don't want that privilege taking away.

 

[Fett]

Nothing like a bit of sanctimonious preaching to while away the afternoon...

 

[redeye_uk]

If I encounter other 182's on the roads we always get drawn into a race. It's some kind of unwritten rule. Can be pretty annoying when you are trying to eek out that little bit extra fuel economy....

As for drag races, i've had a few where a single lane goes onto a round-about and it exits into 2 lanes....

 

[mattyprice4004]

I don't mind the odd hoon, it really wipes out my MPG if I give it the beef in the MG though.

TLGP action in a diesel is interesting, usually fill the road up with smoke and soot and can barely see the car behind me

 

[Shoei]

Had many a traffic light GP on the bike.
Hot hatch drivers and some "luke warm hatch" drivers just dont get how fast a bike will leave the line.
Had a Clio 182 try it when i was on my NC30. Being able to hit 60 in 1st gear helps on the bike and he was creeping while the lights were red.
Funniest had to be the idiot in a 1.6 clio, He managed to blow his engine while trying to outdrag me, the joys of a 1000cc V-Twin for that added umph.
Eased past him in 3rd and looked back to see clouds of blue and white smoke.

 

[[ui]ICEMAN]

I'll second this. I live in one of the most prestigious areas in Florida (Windermere) and there's a lot of serious metal out here. Most of you know my rather illustrious history of supercars but as far as traffic light GP's go, I've probably only had a couple in the few years I've been here.

Yes I get people in muscle cars trying it on whether I'm in the 911 or the 430 but it's not that common. That's not to say I don't like pulling away from the lights quickly of course, hard not to with the sound of the 430

This.

Some people, if you beleive the bilge they post, appear to live on the set of 2Fast 2Furious. I can perhaps sort of beleive that if you drive something like an Impreza you will sometimes get people trying to 'race' you but to post reams and reams of drivel about the various 'races' you have your 2 litre Volvo Estate? It's just daft and silly mentality, given they probably never happened anyway.

The amount of times you actually pull up at the lights next to somebody who'd race you are so minute you just have to wonder where some of these stories come from.

Look at Housey - 10 years of driving M3's and 911's and only 3 people have tried to race him off the lights. Yet we are supposed to beleive its a daily occurance if you drive an old Volvo Estate with wheeltrims?

 

[Snaggle]

I rarley look for races and tbh there very rare . But on the bike unless its summit really interesting its such a no brainer i dont bother . Most things can be dispatched with a flick of the wrist .

I do speed often ... i do drive for a living but i drive to the conditions not posted limits . Same with the bike . but im to old now to go look for it . And no i have never killed anyone and only have 3 points (misjudged the direction of an unfamiliar camera )

Persil

 

[Moeks]

Nothing like a bit of sanctimonious preaching to while away the afternoon...

Absolutely ...what other forum could you get that on in such strong doses.

 

[redeye_uk]

Had many a traffic light GP on the bike.
Hot hatch drivers and some "luke warm hatch" drivers just dont get how fast a bike will leave the line.
Had a Clio 182 try it when i was on my NC30. Being able to hit 60 in 1st gear helps on the bike and he was creeping while the lights were red.
Funniest had to be the idiot in a 1.6 clio, He managed to blow his engine while trying to outdrag me, the joys of a 1000cc V-Twin for that added umph.
Eased past him in 3rd and looked back to see clouds of blue and white smoke.

lol. one of the first things my driving instructor taught me "never race a bike". That was followed by him taking me to the top of a car park so we could watch the female students getting changed.

 

[FTM]

I feel no need to drive like a **** around town, theres plenty others on the road to take my place

I do go fishing a lot at the weekend though and so end up in upper teesdale or weardale a lot, theres plenty of fun to be had whilst not risking anybody elses lives..only the sheep need to worry

but I always try to watch the speed around town, you just cannot take accoutn of other people stupidity, pedestrians not looking, cyclists being careless or just other drivers being cretins.