My biggest gripe is not the speed limits imposed themsleves but the number of changes in the set limit on a road. It infuriates me that the pricks who decide places that need a reduction in speed (it always goes down, not up) don't look at the big picture and drive a route which their new limit falls on.

I do a new drive to work from my new house. I drive for a 1 mile in a 30 mph limit, this then goes to NSL for 2 miles, then a 40mph for 2 miles, then a 50 mph for 1.5 miles, then 40 mph for the rest of the journey, through countryside, then NSL and then thank f*ck I'm on the M3.

Its always those areas you are not used to, is where you'll get a ticket. If you blink and miss the umpteenth change in the speed limit, thats when PC Plod or a Scamera will be waiting for you!

 

In the 1930's, speed limit signs were erected at the same time the road was improved in many cases.

So there has never been a reliable statistical link between speed limits and safety. (Do not get confused with the 1/2 MV^2 argument - they cannot ban motion, or weightier vehicles).

Speed limits were always political, now the tax junkies are complete addicts, and bans get more people on trains and cancer boxes. Result for their dogma!

 

Actually, I've had to visit the beancounters' online site as part of my Monday surfing. Necessary, not interesting, I admit.

If you think the Gov't are fcuking up road transport, be glad that you don't have to visit there too!

Suffice to say, sad politicos can't even get laid without fcuking that up too.

Who put the morons in charge?

 

Many speed limits have been changed / lowered near where I live..... for safety reasons ????

Well thats what the authorities would probably tell you - nothing to do with the saving of money then. Authorities have to spend a set amount on roads and maintain it to a set standard dependant on the speed limit on that road. So, whats the easiest way to save money from your roads budget - yep..... lower the limits. Oh, and a year or so down the line chuck a couple of cameras down there as well!

I agree that 60 in a 30 is miles worse in my mind that doing a ton on a motoway in normal conditions. Well, generally in London at least you would be hard pushed to get stopped by a traffic officer for under 45mph in a 30 anyway (unless he's been following you for a while and you haven't noticed and dropped your speed). They would be stopping every other car if they did....so currently you get 3 points but if ever stopped after the changes I bet you will end up with 6. Traffic police will still ignore the ones doing a bit over the limit so all that will change is the number of points being dished out.

What I am getting at is that if the rules change without too much thought and you were stopped you will probably cop alot more than you do currently. People do speed badly in 30mph limits more than they realise and where some of the 50's and 40's are now 30's people would get caught out big style. This is just something to bear in mind. I for one would like extra points for some kind of aggravating features like doing say 45 in a 30 past a school or down really narrow residential roads but where speed limits have been reduced just to save money and not improve safety people could end up banned before they know it.

I don't think a change in the points system will do much except make the government and insurance companies more money. If caught by a camera if Essex set at say 34mph you may get away with less points but they will no doubt use the changes as an excuse to put up even more cameras saying the system is fairer and lower the speeds they go off at......