Was that on the "motorway"?

Ah, you know of the one small stretch of road with the 70mph limit on the island referred to as "the dual"

What's more dangerous to non car squishy things:

1) someone doing 90mph on a straight open motorway in good conditions

2) someone doing 40mph in an urban built up area.

Sorry but I get ****ed off with idiots (yes idiots) who drive every where at 40 mph flashing and shouting if you dare to do a safe overtake on them in a NSL but then they proceed to stay at 40mph in the 30 zones. Muppets.

Most unsafe drivers as far as I'm concerned (apart from joyriding tools) are those that drive literally zoned out, the act of driving is the last thing on their mind, whether it's mummies on the school run or old grandads in ancient rovers or people asleep on the 9-5 commute.

Speed doesn't kill, incompetent muppets driving into people kill, regardless of velocity.

Agreed. Over here on the Isle of Wight, a majority of drivers seem to drive this way. It infuriates me.

What's more dangerous to non car squishy things:

1) someone doing 90mph on a straight open motorway in good conditions

2) someone doing 40mph in an urban built up area.

Sorry but I get ****ed off with idiots (yes idiots) who drive every where at 40 mph flashing and shouting if you dare to do a safe overtake on them in a NSL but then they proceed to stay at 40mph in the 30 zones. Muppets.

Most unsafe drivers as far as I'm concerned (apart from joyriding tools) are those that drive literally zoned out, the act of driving is the last thing on their mind, whether it's mummies on the school run or old grandads in ancient rovers or people asleep on the 9-5 commute.

You have no idea how much it annoys me too! I have no major dram with someone doing 45 in a 60 for example where it has not been appropriate for me to overtake they have lengthened my journey/day as a direct result (however you would not pass your driving test doing this). BUT when we get to the next built up area and enter a 30mph limit they continue at the same speed where I reduce mine, my blood boils to approx 3.7million degrees. My father is one such driver and receives lengthy lectures from me when he complains about getting penalty points for speeding in 30's at 40/45mph because he is a "Safe slow" driver....... burrrrrrr

(I would wager our 3-4 lane motorways are safer at times than derestricted dual carriageway autobahns).

Benefit to German Autobahns where only 2 lanes if in comparison to a UK 3-4 lane motorway, the general standard of driving in Germany and most of the developed world when it comes to lane discipline far exceeds that which is practised in the UK. In the sense that if you drive properly IAW the "advice" given in the Highway code and current UK legislation "the LAW" you in a lot of cases would not require so many additional lanes. I am from the UK but work in mainland Europe and drive in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany on a daily basis and upon returning to the UK last week as with every time I am embarrassed and ashamed by what can only be described as atrocious lane discipline. To sit at the national speed limit on a 3-4 lane motorway in the UK in lane 1 where you are approaching a slower vehicle happily sitting in lane 2 (or lane 3 worse again) to pass said vehicle you must perform 4 (or 6) individual lane changes as opposed to the 2 you should only be required to if they were in the correct lane, that has a massive knock on affect. The way I observe 3 lane motorways in the UK is that they are treated as 2 lanes and reserving lane 1 almost exclusively for large vehicles. If you pass one lorry and there is another in front of him and it takes you 20 seconds to pass the next one you should not be congesting traffic like a spoon sitting in the wrong lane.

The fact that in the UK no licence holder is required to receive any formal practical training or testing on a motorway does have some impact on this but it is no where near an excuse as far as I am concerned. Re-test every 5 years IMHO should not be an issue for anyone but by God it would be!

ps how many holiday makers using the German autobahn network know if their insurance company covers them when they exceed the advisory maximum speed limit of 130kph? Or if your level of cover drops to 3rd party only once you hit the continent? Or that the majority of underwriters require you to inform them of the dates of travel and destination countries BEFORE they leave the UK. Worth checking if you don't know the answer. Its scary how many people don't know if they crash their expensive pride and joy they might not get anything off insurance for it especially if bought on finance paying for a car that was scrapped abroad for next few years, or that if they didn't advise their provider before leaving they were not covered at all and are in serious trouble if a 3rd party is involved (expect the long truncheon of the law inserted firmly up your chocolate star fish for that one!)

@ 250vrs: Great thread a good question that many would like to know the answer to but might have otherwise been afraid to approach the subject in case of an out cry from the "tutt tutt" police, well put in first post. In answer my diesel VRS 151mph on autobahn. That was in appropriate conditions and as a one off never to be repeated evaluation of my purchase, while legal and was in the presence of a German traffic police officer (in passenger seat) a mechanical failure at big speeds can completely remove all control you have, so sod that. Motorbike is where the real power performance and speed it at for FUBAR tbh

(I would wager our 3-4 lane motorways are safer at times than derestricted dual carriageway autobahns).

You did say "at times" not a direct response to your comment but made me think of something. I have an opinion I would like to express in reference to 2 v 3+ lane motorways/autobahns.

And so the rant begins (***Not appropriate reading if not open to possibility of constructive criticism***)

Benefit to German Autobahns where only 2 lanes if in comparison to a UK 3-4 lane motorway, the general standard of driving in Germany and most of the developed world when it comes to lane discipline far exceeds that which is practised in the UK. In the sense that if you drive properly IAW the "advice" given in the Highway code and current UK legislation "the LAW" you in a lot of cases would not require so many additional lanes. I am from the UK but work in mainland Europe and drive in many countries for a living. Upon returning to the UK last week as with every time I am embarrassed and ashamed by what can only be described as atrocious lane discipline. To sit at the national speed limit on a 3-4 lane motorway in the UK in lane 1 where you are approaching a slower vehicle happily sitting in lane 2 (or lane 3 worse again) to pass said vehicle you must perform 4 (or 6) individual lane changes as opposed to the 2 you should only be required to if they were in the correct lane, that has a massive knock on affect. The way I observe 3 lane motorways in the UK is that they are treated as 2 lanes and reserving lane 1 almost exclusively for large vehicles. If you pass one lorry and there is another in front of him and it takes you 20 seconds to pass the next one you should not be congesting traffic like a spoon sitting in the wrong lane.

The fact that in the UK no licence holder is required to receive any formal practical training or testing on a motorway does have some impact on this but it is no where near an excuse as far as I am concerned. Re-test every 5 years IMHO should not be an issue for anyone but by God it would be!

ps how many holiday makers using the German autobahn network know if their insurance company covers them when they exceed the advisory maximum speed limit of 130kph? Or if your level of cover drops to 3rd party only once you hit the continent? Or that the majority of underwriters require you to inform them of the dates of travel and destination countries BEFORE they leave the UK. Worth checking if you don't know the answer. Its scary how many people don't know if they crash their expensive pride and joy they might not get anything off insurance for it especially if bought on finance paying for a car that was scrapped abroad for next few years, or that if they didn't advise their provider before leaving they were not covered at all and are in serious trouble if a 3rd party is involved (expect the long truncheon of the law inserted firmly up your chocolate star fish for that one!)

@ 250vrs: Great thread a good question that many would like to know the answer to but might have otherwise been afraid to approach the subject in case of an out cry from the "tutt tutt" police, well put in first post. In answer my diesel VRS 151mph on autobahn. That was in appropriate conditions and as a one off never to be repeated evaluation of my purchase, while legal and was in the presence of a German traffic police officer (in passenger seat) a mechanical failure at big speeds can completely remove all control you have, so sod that. Motorbike is where the real power performance and speed it at for FUBAR tbh

I think this is the first forum I have read around this topic that was any good, good reasoned debate and opinions, common sense matched with open minded enthusiasm. I always wondered why people with cars from other manufactures use this forum, this is part of the reason, informative reasoned debate without BS. I' ll wear my briskoda sticker with pride.

I am also completely ashamed of myself as I can't even say how fast mine goes as I don't think I have gone more than 80mph in my Octavia.

how embarrassing!

( in my defence though, I have done 168mph on my Yamaha R6 )

I am also completely ashamed of myself as I can't even say how fast mine goes as I don't think I have gone more than 80mph in my Octavia.

how embarrassing!

( in my defence though, I have done 168mph on my Yamaha R6 )

Nothing wrong with having done 80mph in car just means your not in 6th gear threw the red line like you have been on the Yamaha :p My bike is similar to your car btw

Benefit to German Autobahns where only 2 lanes if in comparison to a UK 3-4 lane motorway, the general standard of driving in Germany and most of the developed world when it comes to lane discipline far exceeds that which is practised in the UK.

FFS only 2 days after sticking up for the Germans one goes and does this.... Typical! (still happens a lot less frequently than in UK)

FFS only 2 days after sticking up for the Germans one goes and does this.... Typical! (still happens a lot less frequently than in UK)

To be fair when you approach someone at 130mph plus then it's quite conceiveable that you weren't there when they looked in their mirror before actually pulling out or that they didn't judge your approach speed because you were some distance behind. Unrestricted motorway or not I wouldn't overtake anyone on a two lane carriage way at that speed because if they pull out right in front of you you're as good as dead. If it's a three lane motorway where you can leave a empty lane between you and them then fair enough. Just my two penneth worth....

Edited 15 April, 201214 yr by Guest

To be fair when you approach someone at 130mph plus then it's quite conceiveable that you weren't there when they looked in their mirror before actually pulling out or that they didn't judge your approach speed because you were some distance behind. Unrestricted motorway or not I wouldn't overtake anyone on a two lane carriage way at that speed because if they pull out right in front of you you're as good as dead. If it's a three lane motorway where you can leave a empty lane between you and them then fair enough. Just my two penneth worth....

yeaa and ney the rest of vid would paint a clearer pic to show he knew of my existence perfectly well but problem there was he was indicating right and changed lanes left, had he indicated would have been a bit ignorant on his part but fine. He had overtaken me then dived in to exit but was not happy behind his pray. To be in lane 3 as suggested though would by your logic make sense to leave more room but you would be in the wrong lane legally and would only work in a world where there is no other traffic behind you. On that specific road I am regularly overtaken by cars doing 200mph+ to sit at 130 in lane 3 when one of those perfectly legally approaches FAST would be a bad move and dangerous. No need to be anywhere other than lane 1 if not overtaking a slower vehicle. I encounter UK plates in other parts of Germany when im on bike who think they should sit and block lane 2/3 because they are going for it and don't seem to notice the cars and bikes behind them they are holding up straight roads where you can clearly be seen and they just sit there entire approach and don't move when caught up to where as most other drivers will be more than aware and have moved back to lane 1 appropriately.

yeaa and ney the rest of vid would paint a clearer pic to show he knew of my existence perfectly well but problem there was he was indicating right and changed lanes left, had he indicated would have been a bit ignorant on his part but fine. He had overtaken me then dived in to exit but was not happy behind his pray. To be in lane 3 as suggested though would by your logic make sense to leave more room but you would be in the wrong lane legally and would only work in a world where there is no other traffic behind you. On that specific road I am regularly overtaken by cars doing 200mph+ to sit at 130 in lane 3 when one of those perfectly legally approaches FAST would be a bad move and dangerous. No need to be anywhere other than lane 1 if not overtaking a slower vehicle. I encounter UK plates in other parts of Germany when im on bike who think they should sit and block lane 2/3 because they are going for it and don't seem to notice the cars and bikes behind them they are holding up straight roads where you can clearly be seen and they just sit there entire approach and don't move when caught up to where as most other drivers will be more than aware and have moved back to lane 1 appropriately.

I take your points. I hate poor lane discipline it really p1sses me off and whilst using lane 3 to overtake something in lane 1 isn't strictly legal I would rather that than take the risk than pass someone at that speed.

Thanks for all the positive comments from this, I have read though them all and half way through was expecting it to go all wrong!!!

I certainly agree with all the comments about people who do 45 in a national and the comments about three lanes and two lanes,

To tackle the first point about doing 45 in a national and then continuing to do that speed in a 30 is a common trend, yes I can speak with a degree of knowledge having spoken to many a driver who is astounded at why they are punished for doing 45 in a 30 as it's a government swindel as to taking sixty pounds off people, but when you explain it's because little David is playing and might run in the road or little Mrs smith who is crossing the road!!!!!!! They don,t get it!!

As for motorway driving, its the same as anything, you never know what others will do,,, and speaking in agony at the moment because a 72 year old lady fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into me on the hard shoulder,,,,,,

But a point about doing 140mph on an empty motorway in the middle of the night,, do you know what has gone before you? Is there someone broken down with no lights on? Or did you check your car prior to putting your foot down especially tyres for nails??? No I don,t think people do,,,,

Yes I used to say if you go fast and loose control and only you are hurt or killed its ok,,, but when, unfortunately, as I have more thanI want to remember, told the tragic news to a family,,,, it's not nice,,,,

Yes I started this thread, no I am no soil sport, but drive safe,,,,,

But to change the subject I get my new vrs tomorrow at long last!!!!

Andy

Hope you enjoy it Andy. I'm sure you'll let us know and post some pics.

To tackle the first point about doing 45 in a national and then continuing to do that speed in a 30 is a common trend, yes I can speak with a degree of knowledge having spoken to many a driver who is astounded at why they are punished for doing 45 in a 30 as it's a government swindel as to taking sixty pounds off people, but when you explain it's because little David is playing and might run in the road or little Mrs smith who is crossing the road!!!!!!! They don,t get it!!

Check this story out about a man doing 45mph in a 30mph and although lucky enough to be offered a FPN didn't take it up, went to court and magistrate thought it was fine and imposed minimum punishment 1p fine and the 3 points. 1.5 times the speed limit!!!! Shows when the law fails IMHO

The comments so true from a politician "

A lot of people who have lost family members are looking for a deterrent and this is giving the fingers to the law"

http://www.belfastte...e-14976213.html

Thanks johno

I am sure I will,,, just a punishment that I can,t bend and wash it!!!

Thanks johno

I am sure I will,,, just a punishment that I can,t bend and wash it!!!

I know the feeling I use a stick to reach down for washing mine takes fecking ages though but worth it in the end!

I tell driver,s fubar,

It's Russian roulette,,, land red you win or black you loose,, I have seen a smart , alec Joe, go to court, and leave with three points,,, but a £1,500!! Fine,,, 59 in a 50!!!!

Why do you use a stick if I don,t mind asking??

Yes it is so hard as my back is killing me!!

I tell driver,s fubar,

It's Russian roulette,,, land red you win or black you loose,, I have seen a smart , alec Joe, go to court, and leave with three points,,, but a £1,500!! Fine,,, 59 in a 50!!!!

Me too I love those ones and normally if you are caught bang to rights by a police officer with a home office approved speed measuring device like that guy was and you refuse a FPN go to court its as simple as "You where there, speed limit was 30, you were doing 45, you have wasted the courts time now bend over this is going to hurt" But that case was totally FUBAR! And to turn to the prosecution team who brought him before the court on behalf of the "people" and tell them off for trying to do someone at 1.5 times the speed limit because he had gotten away with it for decades ........... ohhhhhh makes my blood boil.

Fubar, I agree with your observations about general driving standards in the UK - I also drive through Europe occasionally, my point was about road width/proximity to other lanes.

Andy, good luck with the new VRS tomorrow...

Why do you use a stick if I don,t mind asking??

Yes it is so hard as my back is killing me!!

I can't really get down there today I cleaned it in fact and back was killing me (doesn't normally but was today) I have a bad leg with metal in it and screws that I cannot fully use and its possible to get down just not practical and hurts so I use a stick thing and put my lambs wool mitt on it . Leg leads to walking problems then in turn hip and back. Today it was back it seems :(

Another laugh for you,,,

I was in an attempt to follow a speeding car on the motorway, in an un marked car, I was doing 93mph, when the car lit up,,,, a range rover was flashing me out of the way!!!!

I moved over, Mr impatient over took and I caught him at 113mph

Any way he went to court, bought a top well known solicitor, to get him off,,, I attended, with my CCTV of the incident,,,,,,,

Five minutes later I walked out of court

He was banned for 18 months and £600 fine!!!!

I am sorry to hear that,

It's good you don,t let it get to you,, like it won,t me,,, I might be sore at time and after but so,,,,

Fubar, I agree with your observations about general driving standards in the UK - I also drive through Europe occasionally, my point was about road width/proximity to other lanes.

Andy, good luck with the new VRS tomorrow...

ahh I get you some roads come and go with widths I know lots of dual lane ones where they are signed and designed width wise to allow emergency vehicles to filter between the 2 lanes where no shoulder is present but others where that would not be possible! I do not know of specific guide lines or specifications from DFT in UK (although all are not equally spaced threw out UK) but I find when driving atrics in UK lanes on motorways tend to be narrower than in most of western Europe then the opposite in the east. More space the better.

Thanks Jim I will give a first account, impression tomorrow

Andy