Do I need to keep max speed on 100 KM roads?

appukuttan · 24-12-2017 11:30AM #1

Hi,

Yesterday I went for a trip with my family after getting learner permit. After I enter 100KM road, I was not that much comfirtable to keep on 100 KMs all the time. It was not an over taking road amd I managed to clock between 80-100 km/hr all the times. After seeing a queue of cars behind me and no one was infront of me, I thought I am blocking their way and eating their time. On reaching an overtaking line, I let them pass. This happened for many times. So is it really important to keep on max or nearly max allowed speed?

Ciano35 · 24-12-2017 11:32AM

No. Drive at whatever speed you’re comfortable with, as long as you’re not going ridiculously slow.

OldMrBrennan83 · 24-12-2017 11:33AM

This post has been deleted.

micks_address · 24-12-2017 11:34AM

appukuttan wrote: »

Hi,

Yesterday I went for a trip with my family after getting learner permit. After I enter 100KM road, I was not that much comfirtable to keep on 100 KMs all the time. It was not an over taking road amd I managed to clock between 80-100 km/hr all the times. After seeing a queue of cars behind me and no one was infront of me, I thought I am blocking their way and eating their time. On reaching an overtaking line, I let them pass. This happened for many times. So is it really important to keep on max or nearly max allowed speed?

Absolutely not. Drive at the speed you are comfortable with. I find a lot of back roads are 80km and locals who know the roads drive really fast on them. As long as you are not doing 30km for miles and miles just drive at what you feel is safe

Dacelonid · 24-12-2017 11:34AM

No, if you aren't comfortable driving at 100Km/h don't. You would be far more likely to cause an accident driving at a speed you aren't able to.

As far as I am concerned you did the right thing, you drove within your ability, you were making good headway, you let them pass when you could.

Well done you

alta stare · 24-12-2017 11:35AM

Drive at a safe speed and not at what you feel pressurised to do. Moving over when possible to let them pass is the correct thing to do.

Jimbob1977 · 24-12-2017 11:44AM

On a decent 100 kmph road with free moving traffic, anything less than 75kmph would be a bit slow.

Conversely, 100 kmph is a maximum limit... not a target. You don't have to reach it.

In summary, 80 kmph would be fine.

The other motorists can overtake you. If it is a broad road with a hard shoulder, the courteous action is to tuck in and let others pass.

Other motorists get frustrated when slower drivers won't tuck in for them.

OldMrBrennan83 · 24-12-2017 11:46AM

This post has been deleted.

Kyle More · 24-12-2017 11:47AM

appukuttan wrote: »

Hi,

Yesterday I went for a trip with my family after getting learner permit. After I enter 100KM road, I was not that much comfirtable to keep on 100 KMs all the time. It was not an over taking road amd I managed to clock between 80-100 km/hr all the times. After seeing a queue of cars behind me and no one was infront of me, I thought I am blocking their way and eating their time. On reaching an overtaking line, I let them pass. This happened for many times. So is it really important to keep on max or nearly max allowed speed?

You didn't break the speed limit and you also maintained a consistently safe speed for the road in question, therefore, you did nothing wrong. The speed limit is exactly that, a limit.

Jimbob1977 · 24-12-2017 11:48AM

Patww79 wrote: »

Let them get frustrated. The shoulder isn't a good enough standard for driving on most roads. Do you think the person you let past will come back and help you fix the puncture or pull you out of the side of someone that was coming out their gate?

If they want to pass and you're doing about 80 then they should be well able to pass without needing the car in front to hop in the ditch for them.

You never pull into the hard shoulder?

Some hard shoulders on the N20 are as wide as driving lanes

Blazer · 24-12-2017 11:49AM

I never mind people driving slow. It’s the 2- 3 assholes behind them who wont overtake.

OldMrBrennan83 · 24-12-2017 11:51AM

This post has been deleted.

elperello · 24-12-2017 11:52AM

Presumably you have L plates on the car.
This is to let other drivers know you are learning the skill of driving.
Most people are decent and understanding and will make allowances for you.
You might be better to do more practice on 80 kph roads until you build up confidence.

mickdw · 24-12-2017 11:52AM

I'd suggest if there are a number of cars building up behind that you are going slower than the majority so you should attempt to get out of the way where ever possible. Nobody minds a slow driver who is aware of other traffic and lets them by.
What annoys me are drivers who crawl on the slightly twisty stuff then speed up every time they get to a straight making it harder to overtake.
Also drivers who go for miles and miles and won't move into hard shoulder then finally move over when I reach a place that I can overtake regardless.
Thirdly, drivers who believe they are law enforcement and will purposely block everyone once they are doing near the limit.

Del2005 · 24-12-2017 11:53AM

Patww79 wrote: »

Let them get frustrated. The shoulder isn't a good enough standard for driving on most roads. Do you think the person you let past will come back and help you fix the puncture or pull you out of the side of someone that was coming out their gate?

If they want to pass and you're doing about 80 then they should be well able to pass without needing the car in front to hop in the ditch for them.

The hard shoulder on the majority of our roads is fine for driving, it's built to road standards after all. The chances of getting a puncture are a tiny bit higher but not that much. You don't need to pull over to the ditch, you move over so that another vehicle can get past easier it's about being considerate for other road users.

OP if you don't feel comfortable doing the speed limit then don't, but be consistent and don't speed up on the straights as it makes it harder to overtake you and when you slow down for the turns you annoy the following motorists. So maintain a consistent speed and you'll be fine.

johnnyskeleton · 24-12-2017 12:04PM

appukuttan wrote: »

Hi,

Yesterday I went for a trip with my family after getting learner permit. After I enter 100KM road, I was not that much comfirtable to keep on 100 KMs all the time. It was not an over taking road amd I managed to clock between 80-100 km/hr all the times. After seeing a queue of cars behind me and no one was infront of me, I thought I am blocking their way and eating their time. On reaching an overtaking line, I let them pass. This happened for many times. So is it really important to keep on max or nearly max allowed speed?

A lot of the time drivers see an L plate in front of them and drive more aggressively. Its the exact opposite to how its suppised to work, but there are people out there who think "this kid doesnt know what theyre doing" and drives right up their rear, whereas they would drive more calmly for an experienced driver.

80-100km is fine on a 100km road.

beauf · 24-12-2017 12:17PM

If a queue builds up pull into a garage or such and let them by. Less stressful not to have a queue behind you.

I've been driving for many years, I don't remember ever getting a puncture from pulling over to let people by. That said if the surface looks poor then don't pull in to it.

Don't be forced into driving faster than you are comfortable.

mickdw · 24-12-2017 02:12PM

Patww79 wrote: »

Let them get frustrated. The shoulder isn't a good enough standard for driving on most roads. Do you think the person you let past will come back and help you fix the puncture or pull you out of the side of someone that was coming out their gate?

If they want to pass and you're doing about 80 then they should be well able to pass without needing the car in front to hop in the ditch for them.

To be fair, nobody should be jumping into hard shoulder if there is a road junction, obstruction or entrance etc up ahead, thats just common sense so that you are sure you are not going to cause an accident by attempting to let someone by. I think you are best to keep clear of hard shoulder if that is not obcious to you.
As for getting puncture, its a remote possibility but lorries general keep the hard shoulder swept in areas where it is sensible to pull in to let traffic past.

Gerrup Outta Dat! · 24-12-2017 02:20PM

OP, take your time! It’s better to be John Smith late than late John Smith.

I recently started learning to drive a bus, I took it handy at first well below the speed limit. The amount of fools tailgating me in a 12-meter, 10-tonne bus was amazing.

You’ll be fine... happy motoring ðŸšŒ ðŸš—

Skrynesaver · 24-12-2017 02:30PM

Autochange wrote: »

The way I work it is always try stay over the posted limit by at least 5km or so.

Examples include on a 50 drive 60 . On an 80 drive 90 . Etc

No when it comes to the motorway way I find staying in the overtaking lane , driving as fast as you like and getting right up the bumper of anyone in your way works best.

If you are concerned about police speed traps don't be. They are rare in Ireland and most people flick their lights at you to give you warning in the off chance that you do come across one.

Did you used to work as a driving instructor? I meet your students on the road most days...

brightspark · 24-12-2017 02:33PM

20kmh below the speed limit won't make any difference to anyone's journey.
I used to regularly drive from Cashel to Clonmel, I found that if the car ahead was only doing 60 it was barely worth my while overtaking him/her as I would undoubtedly end up behind another slow driver a few km later and the previous car would catch up with me.

As others said, when it's safe pull in and let them off, but don't worry too much about anyone behind you unless it's an ambulance/fire engine.

Autochange · 24-12-2017 02:37PM

Skrynesaver wrote: »

Did you used to work as a driving instructor? I meet your students on the road most days...

One of the biggest in the country before the crash. Nowadays I teach cyclists how to jump red lights, stay in lorrys blind spots and the fundamentals of cycling on the footpath.

Ginger83 · 24-12-2017 02:52PM

OP dont let anyone put pressure on you to drive faster than you are comfortable with. This could lead to a potential accident due to inexperience.

Take your time and happy and safe motoring.

Isambard · 24-12-2017 03:03PM

80/90 is probably the average speed most people drive at.
You have an L plate on your car and people should respect that.
Whilst you're learning, don't get involved with pulling on to the hard shoulder to let people by, plenty of time for that courtesy when you've your test passed.

Alanstrainor · 24-12-2017 06:13PM

OP, you're only learning so I wouldn't worry too much at this stage. You should practice and get used to driving at 100km/h when safe to do so. I think most instructors would agree that you should drive at or near the speed limit when possible. That being said I think from what you've said you were driving just fine. It's worth keeping in mind that this time of year is definitely crazier than most, so there's a lot less patience.

Alanstrainor · 24-12-2017 06:13PM

OP, you're only learning so I wouldn't worry too much at this stage. You should practice and get used to driving at 100km/h when safe to do so. I think most instructors would agree that you should drive at or near the speed limit when possible. That being said I think from what you've said you were driving just fine. It's worth keeping in mind that this time of year is definitely crazier than most, so there's a lot less patience.

J_R · 28-12-2017 04:29AM

appukuttan wrote: »

Hi,

Yesterday I went for a trip with my family after getting learner permit. After I enter 100KM road, I was not that much comfirtable to keep on 100 KMs all the time. It was not an over taking road amd I managed to clock between 80-100 km/hr all the times. After seeing a queue of cars behind me and no one was infront of me, I thought I am blocking their way and eating their time. On reaching an overtaking line, I let them pass. This happened for many times. So is it really important to keep on max or nearly max allowed speed?

Hi,

Relax, enjoy your driving, you followed the absolute correct course of action.

You may drive as slow as you wish, but it would be wrong to force all other traffic to drive at your speed so the first safe opportunity you must allow them to overtake.

No safe spot to overtake, not your fault, just putter along.

And, if safe, use the hard shoulder. As there is less traffic on it I doubt very much than you need worry about pot-holes. Just watch out for junctions and entrances/exits to houses. Also would be extremely careful using the hard shoulder at night. Have often seen unlit trailers parked there and most dangerous ever saw, about 20 large round bales of hay, covered of course in black plastic.

safe motoring

Snotty · 28-12-2017 04:49AM

J_R wrote: »

You may drive as slow as you wish,

No safe spot to overtake, not your fault, just putter along.

This is terrible advice, you need to progress safely and driving too slow is not safe for you or other road users.

You are learning to drive so no problem with getting used to driving, but your aim is to keep up with traffic and drive at a normal speed for the road conditions.
The speed limit does not mean you have to drive AT that speed, there are many 100kph roads where 80 might even be too much, but the vast majority of 100kph roads can take traffic at 100kph safely.
You should be asking yourself, if you are driving slower than the majority of other traffic, why is that? If you don't have a good reason, you should be working at progressing quicker.

J_R · 28-12-2017 06:11AM

Originally Posted by J_R View Post

You may drive as slow as you wish, but it would be wrong to force all other traffic to drive at your speed so the first safe opportunity you must allow them to overtake.

No safe spot to overtake, not your fault, just putter along.

Snotty wrote: »

This is terrible advice, you need to progress safely and driving too slow is not safe for you or other road users.

You are learning to drive so no problem with getting used to driving, but your aim is to keep up with traffic and drive at a normal speed for the road conditions.
The speed limit does not mean you have to drive AT that speed, there are many 100kph roads where 80 might even be too much, but the vast majority of 100kph roads can take traffic at 100kph safely.
You should be asking yourself, if you are driving slower than the majority of other traffic, why is that? If you don't have a good reason, you should be working at progressing quicker.

Hi,
I stand by that statement. There is NO minimum speed limit on our roads.

Now, I more or less agree with the remainder of your post but you do not know the circumstances or situation of the OP.

If he exceeds say 50 Km/h his accompanying driver may be sitting on the edge of their seat with one hand bracing themselves against the dashboard and the other holding the door handle.

The OP is the best judge what speed as he works on other aspects of his driving. Worst thing possible is if he is driving with his heart pounding in terror because he is driving outside his safety zone. How much or what do you think he would learn in that situation ? (If he did not crash first)

Learning to drive should be done step by step and ideally should be stress free.

He should know he is supposed to be competent and able to drive at the speed limits and he is in his own way working towards that goal and I wish him, or her the best of luck.

Do your own thing but do not needlessly cause obstruction to other road users.

biko · 28-12-2017 01:57PM

Drive at comfort speed, over time you will become more experienced and comfortable with higher speeds.
Pull in when possible to let others pass.

Sue Pa Key Pa · 28-12-2017 02:25PM

Sorry, I don't agree with this pulling in business. I presume you mean in to the hard shoulder. If I come behind a slower moving learner driver, which is properly marked, the onus is on me to pass the car out when it is safe to do so. I will give due patience and consideration to the learner, as we've all been there. However, as we all know, there can be obstructions in the hard shoulder, or it can narrow out, leading to drivers (qualified and novice) just pulling back out in to your line

Do I need to keep max speed on 100 KM roads?

Comments