80 Miles Per Hour on British motorways?

[highlandsflyer]

There are parts of the motorways where many of us sit at 100 odds,

I would rather they left it at 70, continuing non-enforcement where it is 'safe' to exceed it.

You (sit) at 100 odds?????

Where's this 'safe' non-enforcement area about?????



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There are plenty of stretches of the motorway in the UK where the overtaking lane is full of traffic moving at 100 odds.

I don't consider that particularly safe.

It would seem to make sense for the scrutiny to be focussed on parts of the network where accident rates suggest it is required.

Going after motorists who are making vigorous progress on empty and dry motorways rather than those indulging in unsafe practises such as those mentioned seems to be a waste of resources.

On the basis that there are many road sections currently safe at the current limit that would not be safe given another 10 mph there would be a major headache identifying and signposting these for the safety of the otherwise unknowing public.

 

[hamster]

I'd just like to see how this fits with the Government's green agenda, seeming as 80mph typically drops fuel consumption by around 3-5mpg compared to 70.

What amazes me is how little time gets saved. On my old commute, there was a long 12 mile dual carriageway run. Either I could cruise at 60 on the left lane and maybe overtake a couple of lorries, or join the knob-ends in the outside lane doing 80mph and 20 yards apart, with huge over-braking panics every minute or so.

Total time saving for driving like a berk? About 90 seconds. :roll:

I used to drive 45,000 miles a year in sales. After the first 6 months you learned that on a 150 mile run you either drove at 80-90 and died of stress or simply set off 20 minutes earlier.

 

[Neil]

The cautious MLOC may be a huge inconvenience, but I'm far from convinced that they're actually unsafe.

well it isn't they who are unsafe per se but by being where they are creates an unsafe situation especially with aggressive drivers around.

And I'm all for addressing full paid up members of the MLOC.

But just as much, if not quite more so, we also need to address the "aggressive drivers around" who in partnership with the MLOC, create "an unsafe situation".

See here's the fallacy - many people hand-wave and dismiss the effects of aggressive and impatient drivers as merely being a factor of the ditherers and MLOC - but that truly is the fallacy - there will always be aggressive and impatient drivers creating danger - regardless of whether people hog lanes, or not - they always find something to raise their ire and try and rub paint with.

 

[Neil]

Excess speed blah blah blah - put a speed camera in, people slow down and speed up again, like wise when everyone flashes when there's a mobile unit around

Dare I say it but the country needs a more visible police presence on the roads who will come down like a ton of bricks on bellends who tailgate, swerve in and out of lanes, on the phone etc - anti social driving if you will

I agree with a more visible police presence improving matters - but that boat has sailed.

Successive governments have made services forget being services, and now being run like business - so cost reduction, easy wins, and stats that can be used to show something are much more important than intangibles like protection, presence and prevention / pre-emption.

The general public ignored, acquiesced or accepted taking the service out of service, so it shouldn't (although I bet it is in some quarters) be any surprise when the services start behaving like businesses.

 

[cyfa2809]

Some good debate going on here.
I was going to pitch in but my post has already been thought of and countered

Can anyone tell me when the theory and pratical tests were last updated?
As rosstheboss says about stopping distances etc.

Many 'experienced' drivers often become too lax and can actually be more novice than novice.

 

[Fudd]

I'd just like to see how this fits with the Government's green agenda, seeming as 80mph typically drops fuel consumption by around 3-5mpg compared to 70.

I'm sorry but this argument is BS as all cars are different.

Maximum efficiency in a car engine is the rpm's where peak torque is produced in top gear. In my car that equates to 80-85 mph and on my motorcycle its about 160mph :shock: .

 

[Neil]

I'd just like to see how this fits with the Government's green agenda, seeming as 80mph typically drops fuel consumption by around 3-5mpg compared to 70.

I'm sorry but this argument is BS as all cars are different.

Maximum efficiency in a car engine is the rpm's where peak torque is produced in top gear. In my car that equates to 80-85 mph and on my motorcycle its about 160mph :shock: .

Let's not conflate when an engine is running at it's most efficient, as to when it's running most economically. Drag has quite an impact on economy.

 

[hamster]

As wind resistance goes up with the cube of speed, a 14% increase in speed increases wind drag by 50%.

Regardless of how efficient your engine is, that has to be paid for with fuel.

Are you really saying that you get better fuel consumption at 80mph than 55? And motorbikes are at their most economical at 160???

The point of gears is to match engine efficiency to speed. :roll:

 

[Grannygrinder]

I'd just like to see how this fits with the Government's green agenda, seeming as 80mph typically drops fuel consumption by around 3-5mpg compared to 70.

I'm sorry but this argument is BS as all cars are different.

Maximum efficiency in a car engine is the rpm's where peak torque is produced in top gear. In my car that equates to 80-85 mph and on my motorcycle its about 160mph :shock: .

Really? Your motorcycle is at its most efficient at 160mph?
Obviously i don't know what you have, could be a twin turbo Hayabusa drag bike for all i know.
But, i have a gsxr750 and if i do my local loop at an average speed of around 100mph i arrive home with some fuel still in the tank. 120-130mph and i have to stop on the way home
Not that i'd ever ride at those speeds as apparently there's a law against it

 

[FluffyChicken]

Some good debate going on here.
I was going to pitch in but my post has already been thought of and countered

Can anyone tell me when the theory and pratical tests were last updated?
As rosstheboss says about stopping distances etc.

Many 'experienced' drivers often become too lax and can actually be more novice than novice.

Theory is up to date, even has eco stuff and first aid.
Practical has also just had alterations to it this year.

But does it mater ?

Does the 80mph also allow lorries to go 10mph faster and still allow them to suddenly pull out at last minutes notice causing people all around to swerve just because they do not wish to slow down a few mph :roll: