Should there be no speed limits on parts of the motorways?

c_man · 03-08-2014 8:31am #1

First thing, I'm not referring to ditching all speed limits, or some lad coming off the M50 at 200mph into an industrial estate.

Should we adopt a similar approach to our motorways as the German's have with their autobahns i.e. where it makes sense, we should have recommended speed limits on the particular sections of the motorway, rather than enforced limits?

I was on the Dublin to Galway bus during the week, felt we could do it in a much better time. Plus I think it would be class.

It might even help the economy! Well, it can't hurt right?

guppy · 03-08-2014 8:39am

c_man wrote: »

First thing, I'm not referring to ditching all speed limits, or some lad coming off the M50 at 200mph into an industrial estate.

Should we adopt a similar approach to our motorways as the German's have with their autobahns i.e. where it makes sense, we should have recommended speed limits on the particular sections of the motorway, rather than enforced limits?

I was on the Dublin to Galway bus during the week, felt we could do it in a much better time. Plus I think it would be class.

It might even help the economy! Well, it can't hurt right?

Good god no! For all the people who could be trusted to drive safely on such a motorway, there are 30 who can't. It would be carnage.

OldMrBrennan83 · 03-08-2014 8:41am

This post has been deleted.

Chancer3001 · 03-08-2014 8:41am

Atari jaguar.

Also, yes , motorways should not have a speed limit. Just drive in a straight line and shut up

c_man · 03-08-2014 8:43am

guppy wrote: »

Good god no! For all the people who could be trusted to drive safely on such a motorway, there are 30 who can't. It would be carnage.

Well. Only for a while. Right? :pac:

jellyboy · 03-08-2014 8:46am

Sweet jesus man ,think of the children!!

jellyboy · 03-08-2014 8:49am

For this "idea" to be valid ,we need motorways
not the dual carriages we have that masquerade as motorways

its a bit like going to Brown Thomas and buying a shirt with a primark label

recyclops · 03-08-2014 8:50am

The majority of Irish people cannot drive on motorways already, the reason it works in Germany is they understand what an overtaking lane is.

They don't stay there and then get annoyed when cars drive right up behind them in an attempt to overtake

Ronin247 · 03-08-2014 8:51am

Not like anyone pays attention to the rules of the road on motorways at the moment. Lunatics changing lanes at 240 kph without looking in a mirror or using an indicator would make driving so much more fun, idiots tailgating at 300 kph..... fantastic craic.
120kph ( +/- a little) is more than enough for 99.9% of the drivers in this country

Pinch Flat · 03-08-2014 8:51am

One fundamental flaw - a lot of people here can't use a motorway and are unpredictable on them. Undertaking and hogging the outside lane way too common. It would be carnage.

The German autobahns without speed limits work because people there know how to use them.

EazyD · 03-08-2014 9:15am

I use the motorway everyday. Irish driver's generally suck at using motorways, hogging overtaking lanes and lack of indication when changing. So no, that would be the last thing we need.

osarusan · 03-08-2014 9:16am

I'm not sure that there shouldn't not be no speed limits nowhere.

Hermy · 03-08-2014 9:22am

Maybe when drivers manage to deal with 30kph zone...

Tarzana · 03-08-2014 9:24am

c_man wrote: »

I was on the Dublin to Galway bus during the week, felt we could do it in a much better time. Plus I think it would be class.

Buses are limited to a speed of 100kph, as far as know. As in, I think they physically can't go any faster. And are not permitted to either. Transporting a large amount of precious cargo and all.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 03-08-2014 9:25am

For people driving proper cars, like letting loose a BMW 6 series.

It's not the same driving some crank people carrier that could push 100mph at it's limit.

gozunda · 03-08-2014 9:26am

c_man wrote: »

First thing, I'm not referring to ditching all speed limits, or some lad coming off the M50 at 200mph into an industrial estate.

Should we adopt a similar approach to our motorways as the German's have with their autobahns i.e. where it makes sense, we should have recommended speed limits on the particular sections of the motorway, rather than enforced limits?

I was on the Dublin to Galway bus during the week, felt we could do it in a much better time. Plus I think it would be class.

It might even help the economy! Well, it can't hurt right?

pb-111119-autobahn2-cannon.photoblog900.jpg

Private health care companies, and car dealerships please note :rolleyes:

Avada · 03-08-2014 9:26am

I dont think getting rid of the speed limit is a good idea (too many fcuking idiots in this country), but the limit should be increased to about 150/160 for cars imo.

c_man · 03-08-2014 9:29am

Ok a lot of negativity towards the idea. I've revised the plan.

Immediate actions:
- Make safe motorway conduct a critical part of the driving test.
- Penalty points or whatever for people acting the bollocks by blocking the overtaking lane.

Medium term plans:
- Design buses that can safely exceed 100kph.
- Rely on future self driving cars to make this a reality.

Long term plan:
- Invent safe-for-human matter to energy transporters

Thomas D · 03-08-2014 9:30am

We don't have 3 lane motorways so no.

cormie · 03-08-2014 9:31am

Driver education, lane discipline etc are seriously lacking in this country. The motorways we have are certainly capable of higher speeds, but most of our fully licensed drivers aren't. Having said that, there should definitely be more options such as increased speeds between say midnight and 05:00 when most of the leisure drivers are tucked away in bed.

Another thing that would scare me off this in Ireland is the amount of videos that have been posted on the dash cam thread of cars going the wrong way down a motorway/dual carriageway. Two cars meeting head to head at 100/120kmph will just about have enough reaction time, if they are both going 200kmph, this will cut their chances drastically. Again driver education, discipline and awareness is paramount.

Motorways are such a pleasure to drive on the continent, exceptional lane discipline and it's almost like watching synchronised swimming how beautiful it is to see everyone get back into the driving lane after an overtake, you almost forget you're being overtaken by someone going 250kmph+.

c_man · 03-08-2014 9:39am

cormie wrote: »

Another thing that would scare me off this in Ireland is the amount of videos that have been posted on the dash cam thread of cars going the wrong way down a motorway/dual carriageway.

Ah in fairness Jim McDaid has cleaned up his act.

P_1 · 03-08-2014 9:44am

Yes but only if we also introduce a German style driving training system, if it happens without that sadly I'll have to predict carnage.

Chancer3001 · 03-08-2014 9:47am

Motorways are the safest roads we have

03-08-2014 9:56am

Motorway speed should be set in relation to your car. My car is just cruising along at ease at 100mph while other cars would feel like they are about to fall apart.

That said a general limit of 160kmh(100mph) would be fine by me. 120kmh is far too slow for a modern road in a modern car.

jellyboy wrote: »

For this "idea" to be valid ,we need motorways
not the dual carriages we have that masquerade as motorways

its a bit like going to Brown Thomas and buying a shirt with a primark label

We probably have some of the best motorways in the world as they are new. Far superior surfaces to the US, UK and many other countries etc.

Drakares · 03-08-2014 10:02am

No speed limit ftw. Then again, I live in Germany and the majority of road users actually know how to drive properly. This is because it's mandatory to take over 20 hours of driving lessons and weeks of evening classes before you're allowed in front of the wheel.

kneemos · 03-08-2014 10:11am

jellyboy wrote: »

For this "idea" to be valid ,we need motorways
not the dual carriages we have that masquerade as motorways

its a bit like going to Brown Thomas and buying a shirt with a primark label

Have to agree.What I've seen of our dual carriageways/motorways are too crowded,winding or narrow even for the current speed limit.

Jester252 · 03-08-2014 10:13am

Drakares wrote: »

No speed limit ftw. Then again, I live in Germany and the majority of road users actually know how to drive properly. This is because it's mandatory to take over 20 hours of driving lessons and weeks of evening classes before you're allowed in front of the wheel.

How can they take 20 hours of driving lessons if they are not allowed in front of the wheel. Also do Germans only drive in reverse?

Lapin · 03-08-2014 10:18am

Some valid comparisons with Germany here but they have had motorways for decades and everyone there grew up with them.

They are a relatively new concept here and many people haven't a clue how to use them, as has been pointed out here.

Its ridiculous that our driving testing and training hasn't been modified to keep up with the opening of our new motorways.

Newly qualified drivers can rip it down the M6 within minutes of passing their test without ever having taken lessons on one.

I'm in favour of minimum speed limits being introduce over a period of time when testing and training catches up and other 'experienced drivers' become more used to them.

I also think speed limits should fluctuate depending on traffic and weather conditions. Doing 160 kph on a clear dry surface is fine but even 100 kph in some of the rainfall we've had in places recently is utter lunacy.

Yellowblackbird · 03-08-2014 10:18am

If the right hand lane was free you can essentially drive as fast as you want.

What's to stop you?

However Irish motorists are self policing in that all lanes including the right lane are clogged up with eejits trundling along at the same low speed. Creating basically a wall of cars across the motorway that the progressive motorist cannot get around.

03-08-2014 10:19am

For those of you who would want to go as fast as possible, just remember that your fuel consumption will increase rapidly as you go faster.
A car that uses 6l/100km at 100kph will probably use 8l/100 at 140mph.

kneemos · 03-08-2014 10:21am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

For those of you who would want to go as fast as possible, just remember that your fuel consumption will increase rapidly as you go faster.
A car that uses 6l/100km at 100kph will probably use 8l/100 at 140mph.

Yeah but you get there quicker.

frozenfrozen · 03-08-2014 10:24am

I'd trust a good driver to do over 120 in a decent car but the speed limit needs to also unfortunately apply to people who are afraid of driving their little 1L, in which they don't even currently do 120, because they're texting, just not paying attention to the road, or they just don't feel comfortable driving that 'fast'. I've heard the latter from a friend my age, they made a comment about everyone zooming past them, and I said well it's because you're doing under 100 and it's a motorway with a 120 limit.

120 should be the recommended speed not the balls to the wall absolute limit beyond which you're a potential murderer. In the same way that some drivers feel comfortable doing 20 under that limit, capable drivers should be able to do that same 20 over, at least.

03-08-2014 10:24am

kneemos wrote: »

Yeah but you get there quicker.

But I do get a tank of "free" petrol every few weeks by not racing everywhere.

simplybam · 03-08-2014 10:29am

What is this 'speed limit' thing everyone talks about? Is it the maximum speed your car is capable of? If so, it should be around the 220km/h mark for me (or 300 when I'm on the bike :P

03-08-2014 10:32am

osarusan wrote: »

I'm not sure that there shouldn't not be no speed limits nowhere.

Too many negatives, my brain hurts

Don't do what Donnie don't does

Big C · 03-08-2014 10:34am

wud love to see exactly the top speed in my 96 1.1ltr micra is, i think it cud be 140kph, (i got go faster stripes)

mickydoomsux · 03-08-2014 10:41am

Most Irish drivers are too **** at motorways to handle anything over 100kph reliably already so I don't see it happening.

/changes into overtaking Lane without indicating
/continues driving at same speed while texting

kneemos · 03-08-2014 10:57am

Big C wrote: »

wud love to see exactly the top speed in my 96 1.1ltr micra is, i think it cud be 140kph, (i got go faster stripes)

A lot of cars are near their limit at 120,

Alias G · 03-08-2014 11:01am

The distances between our major urban centres are not significant enough to warrant an increase in speed limit. There would need to be a real economic benefit to justify such an increase whereas in reality the time saved in connecting out cities would be in the order of minutes.

03-08-2014 11:13am

Alias G wrote: »

The distances between our major urban centres are not significant enough to warrant an increase in speed limit. There would need to be a real economic benefit to justify such an increase whereas in reality the time saved in connecting out cities would be in the order of minutes.

More often than not, the cars you do overtake on the open motorway are in your rear view mirror at the first bottleneck when you get to the end anyway.

NotASheeple · 03-08-2014 11:24am

Pinch Flat wrote: »

One fundamental flaw - a lot of people here can't use a motorway and are unpredictable on them. Undertaking and hogging the outside lane way too common. It would be carnage.

The German autobahns without speed limits work because people there know how to use them.

I completely agree, I use the Autobahn very frequently and it's an excellent system. In Ireland, half the drivers don't even have a clue how to indicate when they're approaching or on a roundabout, never mind using a motorway.

mickydoomsux · 03-08-2014 11:25am

NotASheeple wrote: »

I completely agree, I use the Autobahn very frequently and it's an excellent system. In Ireland, half the drivers don't even have a clue how to indicate when they're approaching or on a roundabout, never mind using a motorway.

Half is generous.

Maybe one in ten irish drivers will bother their hole to indicate properly on a roundabout.

NotASheeple · 03-08-2014 11:33am

mickydoomsux wrote: »

Maybe one in ten irish drivers will bother their hole to indicate properly on a roundabout.

Bother their hole or have clue? I think it's more to do with cluelessness.

Maximus Alexander · 03-08-2014 11:34am

I don't think I'd agree with no speed limits, but I think some of the 120 kph sections should probably be up around 160 kph.

Cantona's Collars · 03-08-2014 11:51am

mickydoomsux wrote: »

Most Irish drivers are too **** at motorways to handle anything over 100kph reliably already so I don't see it happening.

/changes into overtaking Lane without indicating
/continues driving at same speed while texting

+1

The tailkbacks on the M7 towards Naas on Friday due to clowns who probably make the same trip at least 5 times a week suddenly realising they need to get from the overtaking lane to the exit at the very last second.Special mention goes to the guy pulling a trailer while on the phone as he swayed from side to side.

It's gas that we are getting new motorways built and they are becoming the primary routes for getting around Ireland yet there's no training for driving on them.When you see somebody stop at the end of an entrance to the M50 then indicate you know something bad is going to happen to them at some stage.
As somebody once said to me, "it's easy to drive fast but hard to drive properly".

Demonical · 03-08-2014 12:22pm

Deleted User wrote: »

More often than not, the cars you do overtake on the open motorway are in your rear view mirror at the first bottleneck when you get to the end anyway.

Possibly...but the faster vehicle has had more fun on the journey, in my opinion anyway! Vroom vroom

Alun · 03-08-2014 12:35pm

cormie wrote: »

Another thing that would scare me off this in Ireland is the amount of videos that have been posted on the dash cam thread of cars going the wrong way down a motorway/dual carriageway.

Despite the oft quoted opinion on here that such things only happen in Ireland, there are plenty of those in Germany too, they call them 'Geisterfahrer' or Ghost drivers. Also in the Netherlands where they're called 'Spookrijders' ... same thing.

CFlat · 03-08-2014 12:57pm

Alun wrote: »

Despite the oft quoted opinion on here that such things only happen in Ireland, there are plenty of those in Germany too, they call them 'Geisterfahrer' or Ghost drivers. Also in the Netherlands where they're called 'Spookrijders' ... same thing.

Yea, I went out with a German girl in the past and she told me about those Ghost Drivers and you reminded me of a joke she told me once.

Wife is sitting at home listening to the radio and hears there's a Ghost Driver on the same autobahn her husband is taking home. She sits nervously for hours until he finally arrives. She meets him at the door and says, 'my god, I heard there was a Ghost Driver on the autobahn'. He replies, ONE, there were thousands of them'.

Back on topic. Having experienced the autobahns in Germany, there is no way it would work in Ireland. We're simply not good enough drivers and not aware enough of our surroundings, when driving.

mickydoomsux · 03-08-2014 12:59pm

zerks wrote: »

+1

As somebody once said to me, "it's easy to drive fast but hard to drive properly".

I prefer to say: "Any clown can drive fast in a straight line."

Cantona's Collars · 03-08-2014 1:06pm

mickydoomsux wrote: »

I prefer to say: "Any clown can drive fast in a straight line."

Except on Irish motorways.

Pherekydes · 03-08-2014 1:13pm

Great idea!

Charging along the M4 at 160 km/h when a lorry overtaking another lorry at 70 km/h pulls into your path.

As I said, great idea.

Should there be no speed limits on parts of the motorways?

Should we get rid of speed limits on certain sections of motorways? 205 votes

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