From 60MPH to 40MPH; Gov Proposals

RedvGreen

RedvGreen

RedvGreen

Soldato
Joined
2 Dec 2009
Posts
4,018
Location
Midlands
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18840110

The proposal apparently could see all 60MPH NSL Single Carriageway roads being reduced to 40MPH in an effort to cut RTAs and Deaths.

The article apparently states that 49% of all known road deaths occurred on 60MPH Rural roads in 2010, so this change is aimed at reducing that figure.

Knowing my local area, I would hazard a guess that of those killed, the majority will be our two-wheeled friends either misjudging the road or arguing with another vehicle.

Thoughts?
 
This has been the case for many years, and slapping a blanket 40 limit on all single carriageway road would make many roads much slower then they need to be. It's also quite likely it would lead to more traffic using motorways and dual carriage ways even if it makes their journey significantly longer.

I think it's a cultural problem, people have been conditioned to drive a roads at or near the posted limit instead of making their own judgement.
 
Probably cause more accidents as frustrated motorists attempt to make more dodgy overtakes. That or we all get bored senseless and just plough off the road. How long do they want our commutes and trips to take?

The whole thing is just ridiculous these days. REALLY GRINDS MY GEARS.
 
Now, I could say that this is a marvellous idea. Because driving a 0.9 litre Fiat Seicento, a 40mph NSL would fit me like a glove.

But that would be moronic. It would suit me, sure. But it would be hell for damned near everyone else. All you're going to do is wind people up, increase pollution as people drive down these roads in 2nd or 3rd gear for quick bursts of acceleration to overtake other road users, and all for a statistic that means the square root of **** all.
 
f00f1ght0r said:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18840110

The proposal apparently could see all 60MPH NSL Single Carriageway roads being reduced to 40MPH in an effort to cut RTAs and Deaths.

...

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

My thoughts are that you didn't even read your own article, since it says 'many', and not 'all' as you have stated.

It will only end up happening for roads that obviously don't suit a 60mph speed limit.
 
What annoys me is you can be cruising along a lovely wide stretch of country lane with a 40/50 limit, and off to the side there's a turning for a stupid little single track farm lane with an NSL sign denoting the speed limit...

Anyway, I'll drive at a speed that I deem safe for the road, as usual.
 
i do about 400 miles a week on rural roads and i honestly dont think this will save any lives.

90% of the near misses i have seen are from cars traveling too slowly!! there are a lot of people in small underpowered hatch backs trying to overtake lorries when their cars are not capable of doing so. Once i counted 14 seconds!! before this pug 307 managed to get past a lorry.

the majority of these deaths will be bikes or poor over taking. otherwise the roads are fairly safe at the speeds they are set to.
 
They were talking about this on the news is morning and I agreed with the guy saying lowering the limit will not help much and more driver training would be more beneficial.
 
phil675 said:
They were talking about this on the news is morning and I agreed with the guy saying lowering the limit will not help much and more driver training would be more beneficial.
Click to expand...

I don't think it will reduce the number of accidents but it would reduce the number of accidents involving fatalities... I dislike the lowering of limits but the truth is a lot of people really aren't safe drivers and it seems every year the standard of driving is dropping - see so many people driving at 10-15mph over the limit and paying minimal attention to the road :(
 
Robbie G said:
My thoughts are that you didn't even read your own article, since it says 'many', and not 'all' as you have stated.

It will only end up happening for roads that obviously don't suit a 60mph speed limit.
Click to expand...

I think you need to re-read the article, it says:

"Under the plans, which are open to public consultation, a reduction to 40mph should [/u]also[/u] be considered where there is "substantial development" or where there are "a considerable number" of horse-riders, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists."

Don't know about you, but to me that justifies nearly every single road and every single rural road in this country. Vague terms such as 'substantial' and 'considerable' are perfect politician speak as there is no finite constraints to what they consider to qualify.

My actual thoughts on this are that in true political process, they come in with something abhorrent and push through something not-quite as bad, but still a downer. Or it could be timed to coincide with a political event and they pull it at the last minute for positive press.
 
Rroff said:
I don't think it will reduce the number of accidents but it would reduce the number of accidents involving fatalities... I dislike the lowering of limits but the truth is a lot of people really aren't safe drivers and it seems every year the standard of driving is dropping - see so many people driving at 10-15mph over the limit and paying minimal attention to the road :(
Click to expand...

I don't see many people speeding, it's mostly just numpties with no spacial awareness or knowledge of the highway code.
 
To my mind local authorities have done this already on many former NSL roads. Many of the roads down here in Somerset have had a blanket 60 mph road changed to 50-40-30 zones approaching built up areas, or areas of more cyclists/horseriders etc etc.

I am guessing all they are doing is adding a framework to simplify these changes as they are deemed necessary.

Let's be honest, without this change the majority of motorists would blindly drive at 60 whether safe or not, and the drivers that do 40mph in the NSL and 40mph in the 30 zones won't change at all ;)
 
Government :rolleyes:.

I'll continue driving at a speed that I deem safe for the road in the current conditions. Sometimes it may be less than 60MPH, sometimes it may be more than 60MPH.
 
Howard said:
What annoys me is you can be cruising along a lovely wide stretch of country lane with a 40/50 limit, and off to the side there's a turning for a stupid little single track farm lane with an NSL sign denoting the speed limit...
Click to expand...

Won't this be what the proposed legislation addresses?
 
Some 49% of road deaths in 2010 in the UK took place on single carriageway rural roads with a 60mph speed limit.
Click to expand...

No mention of whether or not excessive speed was the reason for any of those deaths.

Also, no mention of what proportion of the roads in the UK are single carriageway and in a rural area - take that into account and I reckon that statistic wont actually look as bad as its being made out to be.
 
I've driven on a few single carriageway NSL roads that were unsafe at such speeds and had blind bends that were only safe below 40. It seems appropriate for such areas. You would hope that people would exercise common sense and vary their speed appropriately regardless of the posted limit though.

It will be a change for herps and derps and do nothing but frustrate good drivers in areas where 60 is appropriate however.
 
pointless twoddle from the government imo.

If anything rather than imposing draconian speed limits they should educate road users better.

a 40mph limit is not going to stop people doing stupid things, merely make them happen at a slower speed. yes it may save a few lifes but it doesn't sort the root cause of the problem.

teach people to drive rather than passing a pointless test and we may start getting somewhere.
 
Getting stuck behind a caravan, then not being able to overtake it if there is a speed van about on a straight will be hell. Dropping the speed won't make the roads safer as everyone will drive at 50-60 anyway on the straights. I find that is a 'natural' speed with flowing traffic and good gaps in between cars.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom