slow and every slow

Fuinseog

if you are driving in a 80km zone and you suddenly see the sign 'slow', what should you drop down to and what about 'very slow' or do these signs just mean you should be more vigilant?

thanks

starlit

If there is road works then maybe between 30-50 mph. If it says slow on the road then just slow down within a speed that you are comfortable with perhaps 50-70 mph. Say at dangerous bends say slow down a bit to 40-60 mph at least.

Today, I met a sign that just said 'slow down' or something and I was doing 70-80 mph and dropped to about 50-70 mph roughly. Often or not if they have a sign to slow down they might have a sign to be at a certain speed. I've spotted that today too to get to 35 mph on a 80km/h zone. There was road works on the road with chippings on the road so meant I had to slow down to 35km/h speed.

Fuinseog

doovdela wrote: »

If there is road works then maybe between 30-50 mph. If it says slow on the road then just slow down within a speed that you are comfortable with perhaps 50-70 mph. Say at dangerous bends say slow down a bit to 40-60 mph at least.

Today, I met a sign that just said 'slow down' or something and I was doing 70-80 mph and dropped to about 50-70 mph roughly. Often or not if they have a sign to slow down they might have a sign to be at a certain speed. I've spotted that today too to get to 35 mph on a 80km/h zone. There was road works on the road with chippings on the road so meant I had to slow down to 35km/h speed.

thanks for that. I saw these signs on the road between Malahide and Portmarnock, where the road has a number of curves.

ADIDriving

It is generally a case of be careful and slow down based on what you see ahead. Which is what you should always do when you are driving. There are some places where it says slow and you might stay up near the speed limit. There are also places where there are no slow signs and you might half your speed.
PS The road between Malahide and Portmarnock has a 60kmh speed limit, if that was th road you are talking about.

Buffman

Just to echo the above, view these signs with some common sense, as in some cases the signs are completely inappropriate. A good example is on the M9 Northbound at the tunnel here, I once had a very close call where someone took the signs a little too literally and slammed on for no reason.

rab!dmonkey

I wouldn't slow down solely on the basis of 'Slow' being written on the road.

I always endeavour to drive at a speed which allows me to stop in the distance I can see to be clear, and slower still if conditions are such that I might be required to stop suddenly. With that in mind, there really ought to be no need to slow down any further when presented with 'Slow'. I'd recommend just taking it as a warning to be aware of how far you can see down the road, or if there are any potential driveways or the like. Slowing down to a certain speed whenever you see one of these is a bit silly IMHO.

Fuinseog

ADIDriving wrote: »

It is generally a case of be careful and slow down based on what you see ahead. Which is what you should always do when you are driving. There are some places where it says slow and you might stay up near the speed limit. There are also places where there are no slow signs and you might half your speed.
PS The road between Malahide and Portmarnock has a 60kmh speed limit, if that was th road you are talking about.

that particular road has many curves and I would be doing well to go around them at 80 and not have an accident.
my question was more about 'go slow' in general and I often see a 100km sign and slow beside it, but i have a fair idea now of what to do.

ADIDriving

Fuinseog wrote: »

if you are driving in a 80km zone and you suddenly see the sign 'slow', what should you drop down to and what about 'very slow' or do these signs just mean you should be more vigilant?

thanks

Fuinseog wrote: »

thanks for that. I saw these signs on the road between Malahide and Portmarnock, where the road has a number of curves.

Fuinseog wrote: »

that particular road has many curves and I would be doing well to go around them at 80 and not have an accident.
my question was more about 'go slow' in general and I often see a 100km sign and slow beside it, but i have a fair idea now of what to do.

Just trying to help. You can see the logic to my statement, in the context of this thread involving a question about speed, in a learning to drive forum.

Fuinseog

ADIDriving wrote: »

Just trying to help. You can see the logic to my statement, in the context of this thread involving a question about speed, in a learning to drive forum.

and I am much obliged for your advice and did not wish to imply that i was rejecting it. to be honest I am not always sure of the speed limit and indeed some signs may change. I went out and bought a GPS and that tells me the speed limit in the area I am in. i see a sign for 60 Km on a straight road and drive at that speed and everyone passes me out.


while we are on the subject of questions could someone tell me when turning left what is the acceptable distance before going into the bus lane? apparently driving in bus lanes gets you penalty points. if there is traffic and if i want to turn left and go into the bus lane 200 or three hundred metres before the turn is that acceptable?

when I am in traffic and if a car from the left or right wants to move out I usually let them, especially if there is space and if the traffic is slow moving. its polite. however, if a merc or BMW forces its way out in front of my path not caring about me what do i do then?

MascotDec85

Fuinseog wrote: »

and I am much obliged for your advice and did not wish to imply that i was rejecting it. to be honest I am not always sure of the speed limit and indeed some signs may change. I went out and bought a GPS and that tells me the speed limit in the area I am in. i see a sign for 60 Km on a straight road and drive at that speed and everyone passes me out.


while we are on the subject of questions could someone tell me when turning left what is the acceptable distance before going into the bus lane? apparently driving in bus lanes gets you penalty points. if there is traffic and if i want to turn left and go into the bus lane 200 or three hundred metres before the turn is that acceptable?

when I am in traffic and if a car from the left or right wants to move out I usually let them, especially if there is space and if the traffic is slow moving. its polite. however, if a merc or BMW forces its way out in front of my path not caring about me what do i do then?

Firstly, don't necessarily trust the SatNav. You might be using out of date maps for example. The only true way to be sure is to stay alert to road signs.

In terms of the bus lane you shouldn't enter it until you reach the arrow directing you in there combined with the broken white line.
Be aware that bus lanes aren't necessarily in use all the time. Pay attention to the white plate below the bus lane sign. It may read "Mon - Fri 0700 - 100 and 1600 - 1900" It's only in use (not to be used by cars) during those times.

As for bullies: Be alert and aware of other traffic by using your mirrors. Try and anticipate them pulling out and keep your cool if they do. If you expect or half expect it to happen you will be better prepared to deal with it. It might only take you easing off your gas to allow enough time for them to get in.

ADIDriving

You may have heard on the news that many speed limits are up for review. Some GPS update quickly, some slowly, some not at all.
To be fair, sometimes the bus lane ends as little as five metre or even right at a junction. In these cases you can use a small amount of the bus lane to slow in. But you should not be passing a long line of cars.

Fuinseog

ADIDriving wrote: »

You may have heard on the news that many speed limits are up for review. Some GPS update quickly, some slowly, some not at all.
To be fair, sometimes the bus lane ends as little as five metre or even right at a junction. In these cases you can use a small amount of the bus lane to slow in. But you should not be passing a long line of cars.

the problem is if I do not go into the bus lane soon enough others will and then I will not be able to make the change.

the_syco

I find when a sign says "very slow" it usually means "there's a right bas**rd of a tight turn coming up, and unless you want to fly into the ditch, check your speed".

When it says "slow" it usually means there's a bump coming up, and/or school.

ADIDriving

That can make it more difficult alright. But you can always have a bus or taxi in the lane. Ultimately it is a lane change and you have to fit in with traffic without causing them to slow. Check your mirrors from early and adjust your speed to best fit the gap.