Driving along the motorway...

[Workaholic]

Last week I drove to Brighton and back and quite a few questions etc popped up....

1) Average speed checks - if you drive at 110mps past the first and 20mph (past the 2nd due to traffic works etc.) Does that mean you're clocked @ 65mph (under the limit) or does it work more sensibly?!

2) At night many motorway works get into progress and so overhead signs change notices...
Some say "workers in road, slow down" others "60" then "40" etc...
Why does no-one slow down and instead speed up, EVEN if they see a poilce vehicle on the side with the lights on, and why do they appear to do nothing?

Anyway rant 2 over, poll ahead.....

[schmunk]

1) Average speed checks - if you drive at 110mps past the first and 20mph (past the 2nd due to traffic works etc.) Does that mean you're clocked @ 65mph (under the limit) or does it work more sensibilty?!

The speed at which you drive past the camera is immaterial - they're not measuring that. It the time it takes you to travel between cameras that's important, i.e. your average speed on that piece of road (hence the name...). The idiots who brake for these cameras are just that - idiots.

[Workaholic]

The speed at which you drive past the camera is immaterial - they're not measuring that. It the time it takes you to travel between cameras that's important, i.e. your average speed on that piece of road (hence the name...). The idiots who brake for these cameras are just that - idiots.

OK then, but what if there's 3 cameras and the signs only say there are 2...

There were quite a few of these on the way into Portsmouth. All yellow (2 mounted on a overhead bar, stuck to a light post...)

[Agent]

Usually for the different lanes.

Even if they ain't for that, you can do the speed check between any of the cameras.

Speed = Distance / Time

More cameras along the route just means more to cross reference with

[dave87]

Usually it will only be a couple of sets at random intervals that are active at any one time. The difficulty is that you never know which ones are recording at what time.

Oh, and I ride to the law when there are methods of observation around. Otherwise, I'll ride to the conditions.

[Butcher]

I slow down when the overhead signs are on, but not to the limit they say (assuming the road is clear).

[Shad]

Oh, and I ride to the law when there are methods of observation around. Otherwise, I'll ride to the conditions.

+1

Perfectly safe to do more than 70mph a lot of the time, conversely it's often dangerous to do more than 70mph a lot of the time. However, if I was working in roadworks I'd want drivers to respect my safety and take note of speed restrictions, so that's exactly what I do.

[Lowe]

Roadworks on a motorway are one section where I'll rigidly stick to the limits/conditions if they're worse. Even if I cause a tailback behind, I don't care.

[Stringent]

I thought a speed limit wasn't in force unless its in a red circle. Therefore all these 'suggested speeds' that flash up on the bulb lit motorway signs are suggested speeds. The overhead ones, say on the M25 variable speed limit, those are in force.

[kalniel]

Correct - but they aren't sticking up recommended speeds just to annoy people, they are there for a reason and if you pay attention to them then you'll generally get through the area both safer and quicker (slowing down smoothly before a congested region will help clear the congestion, rather than approaching quickly then having to brake).

[schmunk]

slowing down smoothly before a congested region will help clear the congestion, rather than approaching quickly then having to brake.

+1

Sharp braking (often caused by tailgating or stupid manoeuvres) is the prime cause of unexplained tailbacks on the motorways.

(Accidents in the other carriageway are an annoying further cause... Damned rubberneckers )

[Blitzen]

Must admit, i dont really take alot of notice of speed restrictions.
I go as fast as i deem it to be safe ...... its ok...i still have 3 points left to play with

Also depends on whether im on the motorbike or in the car.
Car = get caught
Motorbike = im away before they are at 40mph.

[digit]

+1

Perfectly safe to do more than 70mph a lot of the time, conversely it's often dangerous to do more than 70mph a lot of the time. However, if I was working in roadworks I'd want drivers to respect my safety and take note of speed restrictions, so that's exactly what I do.

I'm very careful the speed that I do during average speed checks. However I can't honestly say I stick to dead on 70 mph the rest of the time.

[Sinizter]

I follow the average speed camera restrictions.

I have a speed camera (note : not safety) database on the GPS and will slow down for where there are cameras or common mobile traps.

But other than that, drive safely, speed is immaterial and I am not going to stick religiously to a 70mph speed limit.

This is pretty much what anyone I know does.

[Barakka]

Agree with most people, I stick to the limit during roadworks whether there's cameras or not, the speed reduction is for the safety of the workers. Otherwise it's about driving safely, consistently, and appropriately to the conditions while considering the ability of your vehicle. I have overtaken many traffic police vehicles on the motorway over the years at 80-85 with no problem as the speed was not excessive for the conditions or my vehicle and my driving was consistent and considerate to other road users. I think variable limit cameras are a great idea for roadworks as they've finally found something that actually makes people slow down for the duration and not just for 8 seconds at a time.

[Mblaster]

I have overtaken many traffic police vehicles on the motorway over the years at 80-85 with no problem as the speed was not excessive for the conditions or my vehicle and my driving was consistent and considerate to other road users.

Reminded me of another thing that annoys me on the motorway. When there's a police car driving on the motorway at 70mph other drivers insist on slowing down to 72mph to over take causing a big tail back. They're not going to pull you over for doing 80mph, get on with it!