Speeds on M/WAY?

Question

Do you think that the 70mph limit has gone out the widow.I was told most traffic police will tolerate 85mph as long as your not lane hopping or driving in a dangerous manner.

Thanks for the answers its my fault for not making it clearer,Do you think the motorists are noe dictating the speed limit on M/Ways due to no police and Lack of interest by Gov.

Answer 1

I hate Christan terrorists (noted by that fish symbol on the back) driving in the outside lane doing 65 to 68mph. All they do is cause a blockage that means reasonable drivers end up in a back up traffic jam going stop start causing more accidents. Free flowing traffic has less accidents per mile than jammed traffic. so long as the traffic is flowing the police don't want to impede the flow. If you pass a policeman doing over 80mph then you are likely to be a danger as you are not observing other traffic users.

Answer 2

Yes i think that the old 70mph speed limit has gone out of the window, mind with the new camera's which work out your average speed I think that a few more people will get fines now.
Then there are some roads (the A2) that are 3 lanes wide and totally straight where the speed limit is 50mph, and I am sure that the speed limit system that on the M25 could be introduced where in Rush Hour the limit is lower and then late evening after it has calmed down the and the traffic is lighter then the speed limit can be lifted.

Answer 3

I thinkthe main reason many of us (apart from some women and PC eco-nutters) ignore the 70 limit is because that limit was set int eh days of Ford Anglias and Austin A35s. Back then, your car would probably do well to make 60MPH, let alone 70, unless you happened to have an AC Cobra or a Jaguar E-Type.

In 40 years, cars have better brakes, tyres, suspension, and are safer in a crash. The old limit was made to suit antiques, so the police will only book you if you're driving dangerously or racing your mates at 120MPH.

Answer 4

The unofficial law of the road enforced by the authorities is 10% +2. Which on a motorway gives you 77, although i use a rule of thumb of 10 mph above the speed limit and haven't been caught in 8 years of doing that. Also remember that anything 30mph above the speed limit is an automatic ban.

Answer 5

I wouldn't say it's completely gone but I think police have become a little more tolerable towards going slightly over the limit. Speed cameras (GATSO, TRUVELO, etc) have an allowance as well.

If your speedo says 70mph you could probably only be doing a little over 60mph. It's also quite difficult for police to prove an offence as been committed if the driver is only slightly over the limit

Answer 6

About thirty years ago, during one of the many Middle East wars, the supply of oil was disrupted. The Government imposed a blanket speed limit of 60mph.

In reality it made little difference to journey times, but, boy did fuel consumption improve. Personally I would bring the 70mph limit down as a contribution to reduced dependence on fossil fuels

Answer 7

This is something that I have wondered also. Whenever I am being really good and aiming to drive at 70 mph (which is most of the time, honest!) I am always overtaken by everyone on the motorway, which makes me feel as if I am not keeping up with the general flow.

Answer 8

It doesn't surprise me. I keep to the 70 mph limit, but get overtaken all of the time. I've even been overtaken by the police before. All of the nearby cars were speeding, but they didn't seem to care.

I think the way they see it is if they warn one of them, they will have to warn all of them, so they simply bend the rules a bit, to save them stopping every driver.

Answer 9

The Highway Code states 70mph, and I think you'll find that if you're tootling along at 76 and behind you is Mr plod who say for example has just had arguement with mrs Plod, 76'll get you a ticket.

Answer 10

This maybe the case on the motorway but you will get done for doing 35 in a 30 zone.