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20mph residential speed limit (replacing 30mph)
- Thread starter 413x
- Start date
A lot of vehicles don't seem to be designed around doing 20s - manuals are hit and miss for it, and most automatics aren't optimally adapted to it, CVT especially the "rubber band" power delay is at its worst so you are constantly having to come on and off the power and either referencing the speedometer a lot or using the driver in front as a reference whereas sitting at 30 is very easy and that isn't just being used to it.
The auto on my pickup as well doesn't deal well with it, wanting to change up about that point so you tend to get a bit stuck between the power dropping out and surging in - with most of its 550nm torque available fairly low down it is a bit hilarious trying to stay behind a cyclist, etc. unless you go in and start selecting manual ranges
and even then it doesn't guarantee the auto won't override you.
For 20s? the minimum I can set is 25 on the lowest vehicle, some I drive 30, but far too much faff for using on residential roads, etc.
EDIT: The Qashqai will set down to 20 on the speed limiter but again faff to set it.
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This is what I do if there isn't anyone in front to help moderate my speed in 20/30 limits, 20mph is the minimum speed in all the cars I've had.
Not for low speeds
Most of London is now 20mph I can understand some of the 20 limits but on some it's just silly bordering on unsafe. Looking out for deliveroo riders, cyclists, the nutters who just walkout with their nose stuck in their phones and then keep checking your speedo in case you've drifted over 20.
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Soldato
It's these new fangled infernal combustion engines that are the problem. During the war...
How did you ever pass your test if you’re not able to maintain a consistent speed?
Can you manage to maintain 30mph?
Can I suggest that your next car has cruise control that will work at 20mph
Commissario
Common sense prevails, some roads are going back to 30mph.
20mph Wales: Some roads to revert to 30mph after backlash
Transport Secretary Ken Skates says speed limit policy must be "corrected" after a public backlash.
www.bbc.co.uk
Was trying it with the Qashqai today as I got behind a slow tractor - it actually sits at about 22 actual, 24-25 on the speedo alright, if you try to hold just below to at 20 though it doesn't really like it. Compared to the normal ~44MPG over that stretch I managed 36... though the tractor slowing down and speeding up a bit didn't help there.
It is still far easier to maintain 30 though and that isn't just being more used to it, the vehicle really isn't optimised around doing a 20 limit.
It is still far easier to maintain 30 though and that isn't just being more used to it, the vehicle really isn't optimised around doing a 20 limit.
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Associate
How on earth can a 20 mph speed limit make things *less* safe?
If people are switching off because of the monotony it is potentially less safe.
It's less safe for me now and others that stick to the limit as myself and others have been subjected to being harassed by other drivers flashing their lights, honking their horn, tailgating.
Tailgating/driving too close at 20mph is way more dangerous as any sort of decline means that theres a potential safety issue if theyre not paying attention. Lucky I've not had to suddenly stop which again makes it unsafe for myself and others as I have to take into account the potential of being rear ended.
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Associate
So it's not the speed limit that's unsafe, but driver's behaviour.
How can driving in an urban environment be so monotonous that people are switching off?
How can driving in an urban environment be so monotonous that people are switching off?
Soldato
So it's not the speed limit that's unsafe, but driver's behaviour.
How can driving in an urban environment be so monotonous that people are switching off?
I think it depends what you define as urban environment, a highstreet with lots of crossings and people everywhere, busses etc then sure.
But how about a long wide well sighted road with no crossings, minimal junctions and no pedestrians? That's a huge amount of the 20 zones in rural Wales now so i can totally see how people 'zone out' going so slowly on not very busy free flowing well sighted roads.
So it's not the speed limit that's unsafe, but driver's behaviour.
How can driving in an urban environment be so monotonous that people are switching off?
Whatever the speed limit if people don't feel they are making sufficient progress a lot tend to switch off. Just how it is. 20 in environments where 30 is fine will result in that.
It is interesting on the M25 when the 50 limit is in place as it can almost send you to sleep when most traffic is abiding by it and everything is moving in a uniform block aside from the odd Porsche, etc. which decides to weave in and out of traffic at high speed.
The variable speed limits and "smart" motorways have just made motorways feel less safe tbh. I feel like I'm seeing more accidents on them than stretches where it's not implemented.
People bunch up too close, to many distractions, watching their speedo instead of their surroundings.
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Associate
The post I replied to initially was regarding London. I think that fits the definition of urban. 
If people are tempted to mess with phones etc. that's - again - a driver behaviour problem. It's the same behaviour that prompted lower speed limits in the first place because the consequences of inattention at 30mph are considerably more serious.
If people are tempted to mess with phones etc. that's - again - a driver behaviour problem. It's the same behaviour that prompted lower speed limits in the first place because the consequences of inattention at 30mph are considerably more serious.