Am I the only one who sticks to the speed limit?

G-Money

I drove down to Dublin last night from the North and again I was amazed by the fact that while I was on or very very close to the speed limit, loads of cars were overtaking me and speeding down the road. By the speed that they went past, they must have been going at least 10-20kph faster than I was.

Then on the M50, where the roadworks are, the speed limit is 60 kph but has anyone ever tried sticking to that? If you do, you will have an unearthly queue of traffic behind you trying to get past which is quite intimidating. I suspect the cops wouldn't care if they pulled you for going faster than 60kph on the M50 and your excuse was that everyone was backed up behind you and it was forcing you to go faster.

Occasionally I might put the hammer down and go 5-10 kph over, to scoot past someone who is half on the road, half on the hard shoulder but I immediately slow down once I get past. But I'm amazed how many people just zoom past all the time even when I'm on the speed limit.

Again on that wonderful N2 from Castleblayney to Ardee there was some idiot who came speeding past going at least 120 kph with the limit being 100 kph. He also passed me on a bend and I don't know how he didn't know there was nothing coming on that side of the road. My guess is that he's just another ignorant driver who didn't care.

Anan1

Where conditions permit, I tend to range up to 180 or so km/h.

SV

Anan1 wrote: »

Where conditions permit, I tend to range up to 180 or so km/h.

+1

Cyrus

grandmaster wrote: »

I drove down to Dublin last night from the North and again I was amazed by the fact that while I was on or very very close to the speed limit, loads of cars were overtaking me and speeding down the road. By the speed that they went past, they must have been going at least 10-20kph faster than I was.

Then on the M50, where the roadworks are, the speed limit is 60 kph but has anyone ever tried sticking to that? If you do, you will have an unearthly queue of traffic behind you trying to get past which is quite intimidating. I suspect the cops wouldn't care if they pulled you for going faster than 60kph on the M50 and your excuse was that everyone was backed up behind you and it was forcing you to go faster.

Occasionally I might put the hammer down and go 5-10 kph over, to scoot past someone who is half on the road, half on the hard shoulder but I immediately slow down once I get past. But I'm amazed how many people just zoom past all the time even when I'm on the speed limit.

Again on that wonderful N2 from Castleblayney to Ardee there was some idiot who came speeding past going at least 120 kph with the limit being 100 kph. He also passed me on a bend and I don't know how he didn't know there was nothing coming on that side of the road. My guess is that he's just another ignorant driver who didn't care.

you do also realise that 100km/h on most speedos is about 90 km/h in reality?

i always do a gps indicated 10km/h over the speed limit when cruising on motorways etc

G-Money

I read something about that on another thread alright but it was news to me. I assumed the reading on the speedometer was accurate.

That being said, do the speed cameras etc take this into consideration. So for arguements sake lets say on my speedometer it says I'm doing 100 kph but in reality I'm only doing 90 kph. What will show up on a speed camera, 90 kph or 100 kph?

OldmanMondeo

Cyrus wrote: »

you do also realise that 100km/h on most speedos is about 90 km/h in reality?

I wouldn't trust that. I heard / read this here. So I put my Sat Nav on map mode and watched the spped on it. At 120kph there was a 6kph difference. At 100kph there was only a 4kph difference. This is in an 2006 car. Maybe it is difference for older cars, but more likely, the calibration on speedo's is much better now adays, through using the ECU etc. there fore using the 10% method, you are gambling on getting caught for speeding.

G-Money

I have a SatNav in my car that I bought recently. I noticed that it often says I'm going slower than what the speedometer is reading. Maybe by about 8-9 miles per hour slower than what the speedometer says. However I don't know if I trust that and rather than getting caught for speeding, I stick to what the speedometer reads.

NinjaTruncs

My speedo is only about 4Kph out.

Grandmaster, the camera will not care nor will it know what your speedo says you are doing, it will only be able to measure your actual speed.

Cyrus

sorry i should have said depends on car, wheel size, and speed, i was talking about speeds over 120km/h, my wheels are 19"

Cyrus

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

I wouldn't trust that. I heard / read this here. So I put my Sat Nav on map mode and watched the spped on it. At 120kph there was a 6kph difference. At 100kph there was only a 4kph difference. This is in an 2006 car. Maybe it is difference for older cars, but more likely, the calibration on speedo's is much better now adays, through using the ECU etc. there fore using the 10% method, you are gambling on getting caught for speeding.

i am speaking about my own car, not something i heard

chickenhawk

Anan1 wrote: »

Where conditions permit, I tend to range up to 180 or so km/h.

I'd try and do the same. Car doesn't want to go past 170km.

pburns

grandmaster wrote: »

I have a SatNav in my car that I bought recently. I noticed that it often says I'm going slower than what the speedometer is reading. Maybe by about 8-9 miles per hour slower than what the speedometer says. However I don't know if I trust that and rather than getting caught for speeding, I stick to what the speedometer reads.

You seem utterly & totally obsessed with being caught speeding! It is a grey area I know & I can see your point but you're gonna have to stop being such an 'oul wan about this.

If - as you state - you have 'an unearthly queue of traffic behind you trying to get past', you are clearly doing something wrong. You are also spending an inordinate amount of time looking at your speedometer & fretting about being a few km/h over the limit rather than watching the road ahead.

You have to keep up with the general flow of traffic. In my experience it's generally 10mph or more over the posted limit. Even though you are technically breaking the law, you'd need to be pretty unlucky to be done at that speed

The problem arises in some sections where the posted limit is unreasonably low. You just have to use common sense and avoid being an obstruction. If that means breaking the limit by a small amount so be it. It's better than holding up a queue of frustrated drivers.

This is usually the point where the more sanctimoneous will point out that the law-is-the-law and that everybody else is wrong and they are right...:rolleyes: Sometimes, however, the law is an ass and a bit of good old-fashioned common sense is required...

G-Money

I can kind of see your point.

But I find it massively irritating when I'm on a road where the limit is 100 kph for example and that's the speed I'm going at and I have assholes tight on by bumper driving, swerving from side to side behind me trying to get past.

In that situation I don't care what anyone thinks, I'm not doing anything wrong by not exceeding 100 kph. In fact I don't see why I should have to speed up and break the speed limit at any time, because others behind me are too impatient.

I have to say, I think the current 60 kph speed limit on the M50 is too slow and should be raised to 80 maybe.

But I guess some people will say it's right to break the speed limit and that everyone else is wrong

Cyrus

grandmaster wrote: »

I can kind of see your point.

But I find it massively irritating when I'm on a road where the limit is 100 kph for example and that's the speed I'm going at and I have assholes tight on by bumper driving, swerving from side to side behind me trying to get past.

In that situation I don't care what anyone thinks, I'm not doing anything wrong by not exceeding 100 kph. In fact I don't see why I should have to speed up and break the speed limit at any time, because others behind me are too impatient.

I have to say, I think the current 60 kph speed limit on the M50 is too slow and should be raised to 80 maybe.

But I guess some people will say it's right to break the speed limit and that everyone else is wrong

people shouldnt be on your bumper, swerving etc, but nor is it for you to decide what speed they should be doing.

If you are on a single carriageway keep to the left to allow them room to pass, if one a dual carriageway stay out of the right hand lane, then everyone is happy

G-Money

Cyrus wrote: »

people shouldnt be on your bumper, swerving etc, but nor is it for you to decide what speed they should be doing.

If you are on a single carriageway keep to the left to allow them room to pass, if one a dual carriageway stay out of the right hand lane, then everyone is happy

Strange, I thought it was the Roads Authority or whoever who decides the speed limit. I guess the signs are just there for decoration.

Cyrus

grandmaster wrote: »

Strange, I thought it was the Roads Authority or whoever who decides the speed limit. I guess the signs are just there for decoration.

they decide it, the guards enforce it,

so not your job or concern to worry about what speeds anyone else is doing is it?

Mena

If more speed limits were realistic we'd have far more people actually obeying them. It's all about appropriate speed.

You can cry as much as you want about "the law is the law" but the simple fact is, if speed limits are set far too low (and they are in many cases), people will ignore them.

deisebabe

it is mental when you're doing 120 on the motorway and sumone flies past you at what makes it seem like you're doing 80.... I'm just jealous though...my car does the shakey shakes at a 100.

Zube

I see lots of pipe-and-slippers drivers travelling way below the limit, but few travelling just below it. Most people go with the traffic rather than hold it up.

mikemac

grandmaster wrote: »

I have to say, I think the current 60 kph speed limit on the M50 is too slow and should be raised to 80 maybe.

I'm on the M50 maybe 2-3 times a week and I stick to the 60kph.
Sure everyone flies by me but I'm the left so if they want to overtake then I'm not stopping them. Even lorries overtake me.
I've never had anyone beep or flash me and sure why would they, I don't hog the outside lane.

I agree with the keeping up with traffic part but I've read threads about speed cameras and I don't know where they are or even if there are mobile speed checks.
So I'll stick to the speed limit for now

BrianD3

pburns wrote: »

If - as you state - you have 'an unearthly queue of traffic behind you trying to get past', you are clearly doing something wrong. You are also spending an inordinate amount of time looking at your speedometer & fretting about being a few km/h over the limit rather than watching the road ahead.

You have to keep up with the general flow of traffic. In my experience it's generally 10mph or more over the posted limit. Even though you are technically breaking the law, you'd need to be pretty unlucky to be done at that speed

The problem arises in some sections where the posted limit is unreasonably low. You just have to use common sense and avoid being an obstruction. If that means breaking the limit by a small amount so be it. It's better than holding up a queue of frustrated drivers.

This is usually the point where the more sanctimoneous will point out that the law-is-the-law and that everybody else is wrong and they are right...:rolleyes: Sometimes, however, the law is an ass and a bit of good old-fashioned common sense is required...

Everybody else is wrong - you included. Who taught you how to drive "you have to speed if the rest of the traffic is speeding", Jesus.

What next - let's all break red lights seeing as large numbers do it it must be correct. Let's gets frustrated when the inconsiderate driver in front has the nerve to stop at a red signal. Oh wait - it's already happening. I have gotten into two road rage incidents for stopping at red lights.

If drivers behind are frustrated because someone is driving legally and obeying the limit that's their problem. Also, any driver who lets himself be bullied by drivers behind into doing a) an illegal speed or b) a speed that they are not comfortable with, is a poor driver.

Re: speed limits being far too low, many of the limits that people complain about are fine. Often it's just that people have poor hazard perception so they see a "big straight road" and miss the potential hazards on it. Again, just because the braindead sheep herd majority out there think that a particular limit is too low doesn't make it the case.

As an aside I have to laugh at the morons on the M50 doing 80 or 90 km/h through the roadworks (60 km/h limit) and then when the limit changes to 120 km/h they stay at the same speed, often hogging the overtaking lane while they're at it.

Cyrus

BrianD3 wrote: »

If drivers behind are frustrated because someone is driving legally and obeying the limit that's their problem. Also, any driver who lets himself be bullied by drivers behind into doing a) an illegal speed or b) a speed that they are not comfortable with, is a poor driver.

so you believe people that drive at 100 km/h in the right hand land and are unwilling to move across if there is a stream of traffic behind them are in the right?

AntiVirus

I'll normally drive around the speed limits. If I come up behind some one driving slower than me, I'll over take them when I can.

If some one comes up behind me driving faster, I'll pull into the hard shoulder to let them pass or make it easier for them to get past me.

BrianD3

Cyrus wrote: »

so you believe people that drive at 100 km/h in the right hand land and are unwilling to move across if there is a stream of traffic behind them are in the right?

I said "driving legally and obeying the speed limit". Hogging the overtaking lane is not driving legally.

Also the OP mentions nothing about hogging the right hand lane.

AntiVirus

BrianD3 wrote: »

If drivers behind are frustrated because someone is driving legally and obeying the limit that's their problem.

That could become your problem. You've already been involved with 2 road rage incidents, the next could be more serious. Think when driving.

BrianD3

AntiVirus wrote: »

That could become your problem. You've already been involved with 2 road rage incidents, the next could be more serious. Think when driving.

Okay I've thought - next time I come up to a red signal i'll drive through it in case the c*nt behind who should be in a psychiatric hospital decides to jump out of his car to berate me.
:rolleyes:

AntiVirus

BrianD3 wrote: »

Okay I've thought - next time I come up to a red signal i'll drive through it in case the c*nt behind who should be in a psychiatric hospital decides to jump out of his car to berate me.
:rolleyes:

It's quite clear you can't think and I would say it shows in you driving as well. You own the road. :rolleyes:

BrianD3

AntiVirus wrote: »

It's quite clear you can't think and I would say it shows in you driving as well. You own the road. :rolleyes:

I can't think and I own the road because I obey the speed limit and stop at red signals. Oh Jesus.

Maybe you're one of the ones who should be in a mental hospital. Failing that, some driving lessons might be a help.

AntiVirus

You're the only person I know who's had 2 road rage incidients for stopping legaly at lights. I think that tells it all.

r3nu4l

Oooh , this is a lovely hot topic. Handbags at the ready folks. Keyboard warrior time is approaching...

Anyway, I digress.

grandmaster wrote: »

Strange, I thought it was the Roads Authority or whoever who decides the speed limit. I guess the signs are just there for decoration.

The Road authority does set speed limits and you are right to stick by them. However, I do think that slavishly adhering to the speed limits is a mistake, it's legal but imo, it can also be wrong. If by doing so you are impeding the flow of traffic then it does create frustration for other drivers. We are after all, human and do get frustrated.

If I'm driving more slowly than the majority of traffic behind me (sometimes I'm happy to cruise at the 100 kph limit), I'll try to pull into a hard shoulder on a straight to let some traffic past me. I appreciate when others do the same for me.

The road I commute to work on is a dual (triple in places) carriageway with a speed limit of 70 mph (UK speed limit). 90% of traffic on this road is driving at 80 mph and more. The rest is usually HGV's limited to around 60 mph. I regularly pass traffic cops while driving at 80 mph or more and have never been stopped. That's because their attitude is that if traffic is flowing smoothly and there is no dangerous tail-gaiting or manoeuvring taking place, it's all gravy (good ).

I have however seen them pull over cars that were in the over-taking lane and driving at about 50 mph (20 mph under the legal limit 30+ mph under the limit that most people drive at). There's a lesson in common-sense there somwhere...although I imagine one could also argue that the cops aren't doing their job...

That said, I'd never drive at 40 mph in a 30 mph zone...they don't like that at all at all

Just my €0.02.

Zube

I was warned by my driving instructor not to stick to the limit if it meant holding up traffic, and my sister failed her test for not making sufficient progress. She was furious, as she was keeping just below the limit.

Of course this was back in the days of steam-driven horses, so what do I know.

galwaytt

if you loll around in your IAM test, you'll fail that for 'insufficient progress' too.

Driving is about being aware of your situation - holding up half the country because your speedo is (and it is, deliberately, for legal reasons), under reading your actual speed, is indicative of inattention. Careless even.
And that's an offence under the RTA, too...........

Anan1

galwaytt wrote: »

if you loll around in your IAM test, you'll fail that for 'insufficient progress' too.

You'll fail for breaking the speed limit too. I mean actually breaking it, say 20% over on the speedo.

ART6

grandmaster wrote: »

Strange, I thought it was the Roads Authority or whoever who decides the speed limit. I guess the signs are just there for decoration.

I looked into this some time ago and then I was told that urban speed limits are decided by councils, and that the NRA only decides those on national routes. In Waterford, for example, that means that the City Council decide the limits throughout the borough, which extends well outside the city limits. There was some suggestion at the time that the system would be changed, but there was no plan in place for doing so. Until there is some consistency in limiting, where the limits don't change every five minutes because you have left one council's remit and entered another's people will continue to exceed them because the erratic nature discredits those limits.

OldmanMondeo

Cyrus wrote: »

i am speaking about my own car, not something i heard

Fair enough, but the way it reeads, you are saying all cars are 10kph out.

AlanD

You're not the only one. I stick to the limit 99% of the time. I hit to a GPS registered 100kph and turn on the cruise control and forget about it. People pass me, I pass people, it all works out and I don't have to be watching the speedo when I see a cop car pulling.

Works out nicely, it's stress free and I still get there as quick as the fools who push their luck. Might be a couple of mins in the difference, but what's 2 mins in the bigger scheme of things.

pburns

BrianD3 wrote: »

Everybody else is wrong - you included. Who taught you how to drive "you have to speed if the rest of the traffic is speeding", Jesus.

etc etc.

Rant, Rant

Huff, Puff

:rolleyes:

BrianD3 wrote: »

Okay I've thought - next time I come up to a red signal i'll drive through it in case the c*nt behind who should be in a psychiatric hospital decides to jump out of his car to berate me.
:rolleyes:

BrianD3 wrote: »

I can't think and I own the road because I obey the speed limit and stop at red signals. Oh Jesus.
Maybe you're one of the ones who should be in a mental hospital. Failing that, some driving lessons might be a help.

I think your aggressive language and general attitude show you up for what you are. So EVERYBODY else is wrong, you're right. The fact that you've brake-tested drivers at traffic lights in two seperate incidents and nearly got a slap in the gob is obviously a coincidence...:D:rolleyes:

AntiVirus wrote: »

It's quite clear you can't think and I would say it shows in you driving as well. You own the road. :rolleyes:

+1

AntiVirus wrote: »

You're the only person I know who's had 2 road rage incidients for stopping legaly at lights. I think that tells it all.

+1:D

Zube wrote: »

I was warned by my driving instructor not to stick to the limit if it meant holding up traffic, and my sister failed her test for not making sufficient progress. She was furious, as she was keeping just below the limit.

galwaytt wrote: »

if you loll around in your IAM test, you'll fail that for 'insufficient progress' too.
Driving is about being aware of your situation - holding up half the country because your speedo is (and it is, deliberately, for legal reasons), under reading your actual speed, is indicative of inattention. Careless even.
And that's an offence under the RTA, too...........

Read the above two comments very carefully, cop on and stop being so sanctimoneous and self-opinionated. You obviously know the law but perhaps don't have the intellegence or common sense to know how to apply it appropriately. If your driving is as bad as your attitude you need go away and have a little conversation with yourself...

Anan1

pburns wrote: »

I think your aggressive language and general attitude show you up for what you are. So EVERYBODY else is wrong, you're right.

No, pburns, he actually is right. I'll happily drive well in excess of the legal limit, but I don't expect other drivers to do the same to facilitate my speeding. In my opinion, Brian D3 is being neither sanctimonious nor aggressive - he's simply getting quite understandibly frustrated with your inability to absorb this simple point.

snickerpuss

Generally I'm going the speed limit but since I live in Dublin I rarely get to speed anyway.
Some roads near me are ridiculously slow though. The Malahide Road being 60 km/ph seems very slow when it's not busy and the N32 also has a speed limit of 60 which you go into after coming off the M50 and along with a 24hr bus lane when no buses go up that road. Annoyingly, the gardai are there all the time.They booked people for bus lane driving after Christmas when there were 'Bus lane not in operation' signs on all the lamposts. Worst road ever.

Leprechaun77

I think Brian D3 makes somes valid points here...he appears to be getting slated heavily for this. I have studied the usual IAM guidelines/advice/literature over the last few years, and whilst it has proven valuable, it just conflicts too much with the Rules of the Road in place in Ireland. I drive about 60,000 kms per annum, urban and rural, and whilst the techniques adopted by IAM technically make more sense, this does not overrule the law......

"Well Garda, I know I was travelling 20/30 kmh over the speed limit, and I know overtook 6 cars at the time, but the conditions dictated that this was safe to do so. I am an experienced driver with advanced training. My car is more than capable to carry this out. The road conditions were ideal..etc..".

Is the Garda going to say...."OK, I didn't realise....."

My point being that most of us will take a calculated risk in any such manaeuvres/speeding. It is nevertheless against the law.

DemonOfTheFall

There's a spot near my house, heading south on the N11 just before it hits the roundabout and becomes the M11 where EVERYONE speeds. It's a ****ing joke.

The limit there is only 60km/h, where it should probably be 100km/h, I'll admit. The problem is I've seen more garda speed checks there than anywhere else. So I'll be tootling at 60km/h not wanting to get myself any points and you'll have lorries bombing it down the overtaking lane heading closer to a ton. What makes it more of a ****ing joke is you have to be in that right lane to get to my house, so I'm forced to floor it and speed to actually get into my lane usually. If I don't floor it and speed I'll have some righteous asshole in his 316i or his tractor engined Passat thinking he's driving a weapon 3 feet behind my bumper flipping me off for slowing down his precious overtaking lane...

Marcus.Aurelius

IF the OP decides to be courteous to other drivers, use hard shoulders to let other traffic pass (single lane roads) then I would imagine driving would become a lot less stressful for him.

People have a big issue regarding "I've paid my tax/insurance, I can drive how I like" attitudes. Perhaps the odd reminder that driving is a privilege and not a right might make people consider the nature of their driving styles a bit more, especially those who try to police anyone with more skill than them.

Anan1

Marcus.Aurelius wrote: »

IF the OP decides to be courteous to other drivers, use hard shoulders to let other traffic pass (single lane roads) then I would imagine driving would become a lot less stressful for him.

People have a big issue regarding "I've paid my tax/insurance, I can drive how I like" attitudes. Perhaps the odd reminder that driving is a privilege and not a right might make people consider the nature of their driving styles a bit more, especially those who try to police anyone with more skill than them.

Agreed. Although we also need to remember that more speed does not confer more skill.

cyclopath2001

Marcus.Aurelius wrote: »

especially those who try to police anyone with more skill than them.

Where did this straw-man come from?

Anan1

cyclopath2001 wrote: »

Where did this straw-man come from?

There are unfortunately quite a few drivers who deliberately block the overtaking lane on the basis that nobody else should be permitted to speed.

cyclopath2001

But you're just guessing.

They could just be ignorant/inconsiderate or too busy on the phone.

Or, there is no overtaking lane, they're driving on the left of the road at sensible speed and some aggressive driver is ranting that the driver in front is 'acting the policeman'.

Anan1

cyclopath2001 wrote: »

But you're just guessing.

They could just be ignorant/inconsiderate or too busy on the phone.

People block the overtaking lane for all sorts of reasons. I (and I think many posters here) have experienced drivers 'policing' the overtaking lane.

cyclopath2001 wrote: »

Or, there is no overtaking lane, they're driving on the left of the road at sensible speed and some aggressive driver is ranting that the driver in front is 'acting the policeman'.

Did you actually read my last post?

is_that_so

Anything under motorway speed will observe the speed limit almost 100% of the time. The odd time on national roads will push it if only to get past a car that snails it through a winding stretch. On motorway usually stick to speed limit but have been known to occasionally push it to 10% over when I am in a real rush. Only real bugbear these days is the "monospeed" driver - same speed whatever the section of road, which nearly always means they speed in 50 kph zones.

chipclub

When I am in charge all vehicles will be fitted with a tracking device and speed restrictor. The two will work in tandem to determine the position of the vehicle and physically prevent it from moving faster than the legal speed limit at that point.

The system will also be used to report on slow drivers. Anyone moving consistently slowly will be required to take a new driving test.

Anan1

chipclub wrote: »

When I am in charge all vehicles will be fitted with a tracking device and speed restrictor. The two will work in tandem to determine the position of the vehicle and physically prevent it from moving faster than the legal speed limit at that point.

You sound like a fun guy to have in charge.

Rovi

chipclub wrote: »

When I am in charge all vehicles will be fitted with a tracking device and speed restrictor. The two will work in tandem to determine the position of the vehicle and physically prevent it from moving faster than the legal speed limit at that point.

I think this is a fantastic idea!
I'll be able to go everywhere with my foot flat to the floor, secure in the knowledge that the technology will restrict the car to the relevant speed limit, thus ensuring my perfect safety.

Poor man's cruise control-