Why do you speed?

Pkiernan

Just curious.

Since I moved back to Ireland from the US and then Germany, I have never exceeded the posted speed limits. The Autobahn cured any need for speed I had, with 240 kph commutes an everyday (and expensive) event.

A buddy may have been nailed by a mobile speedtrap for doing 130 kph in a 120 kph zone. He told me he had set the cruise control at 130 kph. I asked him why not just set it at 120 kph?

I have never gotten a speeding ticket in 22 years of driving.
I admit that the determination of speed limits on various sections of roads makes no sense here, but I stick to the posted limits, much to the chagrin of people tailgating me at 60 kph on the old N2 where the limit drops from 80 kph to 60 kph. Usually I then find a pressing need to clean my windshield...

So, why do people speed? It's too expensive if you ask me.

Sean Quagmire

I get here faster if I drive in the carpool lane...

Anan1

Pkiernan wrote: »

So, why do people speed? It's too expensive if you ask me.

The time/money equation is different for everyone.;)

Biro

He won't be done at 130kph. His speedo will be out by that much.

Stevie Dakota

I think most people have a natural tendency to treat limits as a guide, and only treat them as gospel when there is a visible Garda presence up ahead. If its 120 I may nudge 130-140, knowing that my speedo is probably 10% over anyway. Would I risk 160 in a 120, very, very rarely.

Novella

There are some dual carraige ways (between Naas and Newbridge, in Co. Kildare, for example) where the speed limit is 80kmph. I did my driving test on this road and I was actually the only car doing the speed limit there. I was even over-taken by trucks! I speed there because the road easily allows for 120kmph but then there are often guards on it so I tend to just stick to 100kmph and keep an eye out. It depends on the road really but some speed limits are actually ridiculous. I've never been caught speeding or anything though

Matt Simis

Novella wrote: »

There are some dual carraige ways (between Naas and Newbridge, in Co. Kildare, for example) where the speed limit is 80kmph. I did my driving test on this road and I was actually the only car doing the speed limit there. I was even over-taken by trucks! I speed there because the road easily allows for 120kmph but then there are often guards on it so I tend to just stick to 100kmph and keep an eye out. It depends on the road really but some speed limits are actually ridiculous. I've never been caught speeding or anything though

Yeah, as above. Perhaps in Germany you can respect the speed limits and believe a professional has looked at the road, traffic conditions, prevailing weather etc. In Ireland the speed limits seem to be more about easily catching people and perhaps a scattergun approach to posted speeds. Some roads have stupidly low speeds while some potholed, "single lane" (in other countries, normal roads here) hilly POS roads have equally stupid high posted speeds.

I would suggest you make your own determination of appropiate speed and try not to detain traffic, which will most definately lead to frustration and dangerous overtaking by the most impatient behind you.

I do not however accept that Irish people speed as we havent got our Autobahn-speed-fix.

Pkiernan

Pkiernan wrote: »

Just curious.
.

Because speed is fun, you get to your destination faster and a lot of speed limits are too low in the first place.

zero19

I like goin' fast...That's all

Beta Ray Bill

I dont speed often if at all, my car may as well have a big RED X on it for the Garda.

But if I do, I only do on an empty road and even at that I wouldn't go much over 10%/10Km's over the limit.

I don't know why I do this. probably just feel I'm going a bit slow.
Sometimes on an empty road I will accelerate fast.

have been pulled over for this before but there is nothing they can do about it as I never actually broke the speed limit. And its always on an empty open road. so cant be done for dangerous driving either.

probably shouldn't accelerate hard either. I suppose at the end of the day im only wrecking my clutch.

Pkiernan

Going fast is fun, but maybe I am too paranoid about spped traps.

In Germany, it was a great system - every village has a 50 kph speed limit thru it, and a BIG sign that says there is a speed camera ahead. That would imply they are there for safety, rather than revenue generation.

As my No Claims Bonus from the States did not transfer here, my insurance cost me €1400 for a 2000 year 2.0 litre volvo. I am 38, not 17!
Therefore I am not willing to do anything that would get me any points.

McSpud

I am in the +10mph school of motoring although in built up areas I try to keep speed down especially in pedestrian areas.

Going fast keeps be alert on long journeys plus I get there sooner. The less time I spend on the road the less likely someone will hit me

The N7 from Naas is 60mph & even though I was just under 70mph on Tuesday lost count of the number of cars that passed me out. Ironically I probbaly passed them out on the Motorway. Seems a lot of people on that road drive at the same speed on M7 as N7.

Novella

McSpud wrote: »

The N7 from Naas is 60mph & even though I was just under 70mph on Tuesday lost count of the number of cars that passed me out. Ironically I probbaly passed them out on the Motorway. Seems a lot of people on that road drive at the same speed on M7 as N7.

Yeah, the N7 has the stupidest speed limits on it. It's a lovely road and easily allows for a higher speed.

rocknchef

Pkiernan wrote: »

Just curious.

, much to the chagrin of people tailgating me at 60 kph on the old N2 where the limit drops from 80 kph to 60 kph.

what part of the N2 are you talking about?

TheBazman

To the Op - I'm not being critical at all of your driving but if the govt set all speed limits tomorrow at 20kmph would you stick to those as well? I exceed the speed limit mostly where I feel they are incorrect eg I think the 100kmph speed limit on the 3 lane N7 is incorrect

GERMAN ROCKS

i have a satnav in the car and if i was doing 62mph in the car the sat nav would say im doing 59/60mph. which would be more accurate

Zube

Pkiernan wrote: »

I have never gotten a speeding ticket in 22 years of driving.

Nor have I, and I speed every day.

Matt Simis

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

i have a satnav in the car and if i was doing 62mph in the car the sat nav would say im doing 59/60mph. which would be more accurate

SatNav and your car speed should be showing a 10% approx positive deviation from the true speed. Have you changed your wheel/tyre size from stock?

memeyouyou

Why does wheel size matter? SatNav speed is calculated from your relative position and time differential.

Mr.David

memeyouyou wrote: »

Why does wheel size matter? SayNav speed is calculated from your relative position and time differential.

Yes, but your cars indicated speed isnt....

memeyouyou

Mr.David wrote: »

Yes, but your cars indicated speed isnt....

ok, gotcha. Fair point.

GERMAN ROCKS

no the tyre size has never been changed. which is more accurate would you say

Biro

Sat Nav he said!

Mr.David

satnav

Vamoose Killers

I've seen a large number of people on the M50 do 160...common enough actually.

rocknchef

Vamoose Killers wrote: »

I've seen a large number of people on the M50 do 160...common enough actually.

is that 160kmph in the 60kmph zones. Dont think I have actuly seen anybody do 60kmph in the set zones on m50

supadude

we are all too lazy to get up that 10 mins early...plus we like the addrenilin(if thats how you spell it)

kingtut

Zoe Tender Jack wrote: »

Because speed is fun, you get to your destination faster and a lot of speed limits are too low in the first place.

It is also extremely dangerous and not only are you risking your own life but that of other users. I have no objection to people risking killing themselves (that is your own personal choice) however putting other people in danger is not fun! Lucky for me none of my friends or family have been killed while driving. Everytime I get in my car I see at least one idiotic driver not indicating, undertaking, dangerously overtaking and so on.... and the number of crashes I have seen at the side of the road is unbelievable.

Matt Simis wrote: »

In Ireland the speed limits seem to be more about easily catching people and perhaps a scattergun approach to posted speeds. Some roads have stupidly low speeds while some potholed, "single lane" (in other countries, normal roads here) hilly POS roads have equally stupid high posted speeds.

I somewhat agree with that statement.

Matt Simis wrote: »

I would suggest you make your own determination of appropiate speed and try not to detain traffic, which will most definately lead to frustration and dangerous overtaking by the most impatient behind you.

The speed limits are there for a reason. We cannot change them therefore we must abide by them. If the OP is being dangerously overtaken while driving at the legal speed limit then it is not fair to say that he is "detaining" traffic. If he is driving at the speed limit then anyone who attempts to overtake is clearly breaking the law. If they were also driving at the speed limit or driving slower than him then the distance between him and the car behind would either remain the same or increase.

I know you didn't say it but I really hate when people use phrases like "it is not your job to police the roads". Driving at the legal speed limit is not policing the roads, it simply means that you are a law abiding citizen (granted that some of the speed limits do not make sense but that is not the point). If someone driving at the speed limit prevents another driver from exceeding the speed limit or to dangerously overtake / undertake then tough! These kind of drivers should have some patience and respect the speed limits. It is better to arrive alive and late than dead. :mad:

Vamoose Killers

rocknchef wrote: »

is that 160kmph in the 60kmph zones. Dont think I have actuly seen anybody do 60kmph in the set zones on m50

That's 160 in the 120 zones. Don't think anyone goes 60 in the 60 zones. Usually 100ish I think.

Gregor Samsa

Matt Simis wrote: »

your car speed should be showing a 10% approx positive deviation from the true speed.

The regulation is that the speedo can display between up to 10% positive deviation from the true speed. So it could be 2%, but it can't be more than 10%, nor can it display a speed less that you're actually travelling at.

So I'd say in the real world, most cars display less than 10% positive deviation, otherwise they'd be right at the upper regulatory limit, and wouldn't have any room for error.

mik_da_man

kingtut wrote: »

Driving at the legal speed limit is not policing the roads, it simply means that you are a law abiding citizen (granted that some of the speed limits do not make sense but that is not the point). If someone driving at the speed limit prevents another driver from exceeding the speed limit or to dangerously overtake / undertake then tough!

So if the powers that be stuck a 80 km/hr limit on the motorway from dublin to cork would you obey it all the way?
I know I wouldn't....

kingtut

kingtut wrote: »

Everytime I get in my car I see at least one idiotic driver not indicating, undertaking, dangerously overtaking and so on.... and the number of crashes I have seen at the side of the road is unbelievable.

:

Where in my post did I say anything about: not indicating, undertaking, dangerously overtaking and so on??? These are the things that cause crashes not exceeding the speed limit.

kingtut wrote: »

If someone driving at the speed limit prevents another driver from exceeding the speed limit or to dangerously overtake / undertake then tough! These kind of drivers should have some patience and respect the speed limits. It is better to arrive alive and late than dead. :mad:

It is that sort of brainless rubbish that causes crashes. Trying to stop someone overtaking you, getting them to slow down etc is one of the most dangerous things you can do. It gets people annoyed and then risks are taken. If you drive like that you are a danger on the roads.

tommyhaas

Simple reason for speeding on motorways:

speed = distance divided by time

Get there quicker, while still driving safe on a good road with a daft speed limit

Zube

kingtut wrote: »

The speed limits are there for a reason. We cannot change them therefore we must abide by them.

Not me!

kingtut

mik_da_man wrote: »

So if the powers that be stuck a 80 km/hr limit on the motorway from dublin to cork would you obey it all the way?
I know I wouldn't....

Yes I would as best as I could provided it was safe to do so.
I already know you wouldn't

Zoe Tender Jack wrote: »

Where in my post did I say anything about: not indicating, undertaking, dangerously overtaking and so on???

you didn't I was just giving examples of bad moves that I have seen.

Zoe Tender Jack wrote: »

It is that sort of brainless rubbish that causes crashes. Trying to stop someone overtaking you, getting them to slow down etc is one of the most dangerous things you can do. It get people annoyed and then risks are taken. If you drive like that you are a danger on the roads.

It is not a case of trying to stop anyone overtaking!! How is me or anyone wanting to obey the speed limit brainless rubbish??? Obeying the speed limit does not cause crashes! Are you trying to say that I am a danger on the roads if I drive at or below the speed limit but a safe one if I go over it? Sounds like rubbish to me.

kingtut

Zube wrote: »

Not me!

Well that's true, we do not have to abide by them if we are happy risking penalty points. I however, do not wish to get penalty points so I'm going to stay at the speed limit.

kingtut

kingtut wrote: »

I never said I try to stop anyone overtaking me!! How is me wanting to obey the speed limit brainless rubbish??? Obeying the speed limit does not cause crashes! Are you trying to say that I am a danger on the roads if I drive at or below the speed limit but a safe one if I go over it? Sounds like rubbish to me.

The rubbish I was referring to was where you said if that its tough if someone prevents someone from overtaking them. Dont kid yourself and think there are no crashes caused by people who are driving at or below the speed limit and I think that people who drive below the speed limit are definitely a danger on the roads in my opinion they cause other drivers to take risks. It is my pet hate getting stuck behind some clown tipping along when I want to get somewhere fast.

I cant get penalty points as I got a UK license for that very reason.;)

kingtut

Messiah Odd Tile wrote: »

The rubbish I was referring to was where you said if that its tough if someone prevents someone from overtaking them. Dont kid yourself and think there are no crashes caused by people who are driving at or below the speed limit and I think that people who drive below the speed limit are definitely a danger on the roads in my opinion they cause other drivers to take risks. It is my pet hate getting stuck behind some clown tipping along when I want to get somewhere fast.

I cant get penalty points as I got a UK license for that very reason.

What I mean by it is tough if someone prevents someone from overtaking was that if someone is driving at the legal speed limit then no other driver should have any need to overtake. If they do then they are speeding, and if this happens to me I am not going to speed up and break the law, instead I will either stay where I am or indicate and move into the hard shoulder to let them pass (I only move over when the stupid driver behind me is overtaking even though a car is approaching from the other side).

I do not think there are no crashes from slow drivers, in fact I reckon a lot of crashes are caused by slow drivers, incredibly slow ones, like someone doing 30/40 in a 100 zone, however doing 90/100 in a 100 zone is perfectly safe.

UK Licence? They can't transfer points or anything? Sly maybe I should get an Australian one :P

LFCFan

rocknchef wrote: »

Pkiernan wrote: »

Just curious.

, much to the chagrin of people tailgating me at 60 kph on the old N2 where the limit drops from 80 kph to 60 kph.

what part of the N2 are you talking about?

The only part of the N2 that is 60kph is from the Brock Inn Roundabout towards the Ward Cross. Not sure if it's past the Ward Cross too. Rediculous speed limit on a road that used to be 100kph before the bypass was built and can easily handle it.

I don't think we should be talking about Speeding as a problem. Inapppropriate speed is the issue. Just because some idiot in the council decides in his tiny little pea sized brain that a wide open, safe, straight stretch of road should have a 60kph speed limit does not automatically make it unsafe to go any faster than that. If there were proper speed limits throughout the country people might be more willing to accept them and stick to them but when you can be on a dual carriageway with a 60kph speed limit and then come off the dual carriageway onto a narrow bendy road with a 100kph speed limit, it makes you wonder who exactly is making these decisions and if they've been forgetting to take their pills.

Dartz

Why do you speed?

It's fun to drive fast.

That is all that need be said.

Anan1

Dartz wrote: »

It's fun to drive fast.

That is all that need be said.

I hear heroin's pretty good too.

blogga

The speedometer told me to.

kingtut

Anan1 wrote: »

I hear heroin's pretty good too.

ba-dum-tish

pburns

OP, I think you are fair-minded but also a bit over-careful. Sometimes you gotta use your intuition as to what is safe/appropriate and what the liklihood is of getting caught. If you can't afford to be caught speeding maybe you should consider this. Anyway, if there were less poor people driving, terrified to get a few points and holding up the flow of traffic the roads would be safer for the rest of us.

kingtut wrote: »

If the OP is being dangerously overtaken while driving at the legal speed limit then it is not fair to say that he is "detaining" traffic. If he is driving at the speed limit then anyone who attempts to overtake is clearly breaking the law.

Of course the LAW-is-the-LAW-is-the-LAW and should NEVER be questioned:rolleyes:!

An example: the cops will set up speed traps where they can shoot fish in a barrel. For example there is an urban speed limit outside a town I know that streches FAR beyond the normal boundries. Numerous locals (including grannies etc.) are up in arms and have been caught there. The reason for the limit? The local councillors brothers own land either side of the road. Any land inside an urban speed limit was more likely to be re-zoned during the good times;).

The law's an ass (or can be). Anyone who blindly and unquestionly follows such rules and thumps their craw about it needs to grow a pair...

kingtut

pburns wrote: »

Of course the LAW-is-the-LAW-is-the-LAW and should NEVER be questioned:rolleyes:!
The law's an ass (or can be). Anyone who blindly and unquestionly follows such rules and thumps their craw about it needs to grow a pair...

I never said or implied that the law should not be questioned. All I said was it is there and should be followed to prevent penalty points. Please do not put words into my mouth.

Dartz

Anan1 wrote: »

I hear heroin's pretty good too.

Unfortunately, I'm afraid of needles.

mick.fr

We ain't speeding we just flying low

Mena

I'd tend towards traveling at a speed appropriate for the road and prevailing conditions. Sometimes that's way under the legal limit, or way over the legal limit.

jimbling

Not that many people die on the roads....specially when you consider how much the roads are used. Only a percentage of those deaths are caused by speed. Only a percentage of those again are only caused by driving too fast, and not because some muppet doesn't know how to drive.

Some people might think that crazy, but road deaths are extremely low. Okay, you could take the attitude that any death saved by driving 10 or 20 km/hr slower makes it all worth while. Bollox I say. There's millions of cars on the roads every day... people will die no matter what we do. I honestly believe the money spent on trying to save road deaths could probably save WAAAY more lives if used elsewhere.
Not saying no effort should be made. But I'm a strong believer in trying to teach people how to drive, not tell them a set of rules and say off you go :rolleyes:

Just to put it into a little perspective. 28k+ people died in Ireland in 2005. Of that 28k, 344 were caused by road deaths. A very small percentage of those will have been directly caused because someone wasn't obeying the speed limit.


And before anyone says I don't understand the trauma caused, I might add that my grandmother was killed by a van around the corner from where I grew up. I might also add that the van was speeding, although this wasn't what went wrong..... no... it was the fact that he was tired and had his eyes closed when she walked out from behind a bus. Tiredness Kills. 5 penalty points for driving with less than 5 hours sleep the night before.

My parents were also in a very bad accident years ago. My fathers forehead was hanging over his eyes. My mother still has pain from her crushed cheekbone, and my sister (15 months at the time) has a big scar from the 15 stitches on her head. They were doing 15/20mph at the time of crash. Ice kills. 5 penalty points for driving in icy conditions.

Sorry for the rant... but this stuff really bugs me.

Voodoomelon

I typically obide by all speed limits, with the exception of 50kmph limits where I often find myself doing 60-70kmph, as 50kmph limits seem to the be most inappropriately appointed limits. The reason being 50kmph often seems like youre crawling depending on the road and I see no reason to sit their pissing off people behing me, causing them to take silly risks.

Anything over 50 and i'll stick to it pretty much, on the motorway I set the cruise control to 125kmph. If it means getting to Dublin 5 minutes earlier, why not?

Merch

I can just get into 5th at 50kph
Annoying, someone going ridiculously slow on an open road, regardless of speed limits.

A more scientific approach and better road design, maybe we can have realistic speed limits, ie not too low on obviously open roads and not too low on rubbish country lanes.

Maybe a different system for issuing driving licences, a gradual system, not the all or nothing we have had before and still have now.