Do you benefit from driving too fast?

[Ttaskmaster]

2 minutes ago, keystonedriving said:

My excuse is a previous career for 25 years in the rail industry.........

 

Which is a bit more understandable than those who specialise in sewer engineering.

I had to do my PTS (AC & DCCR) for when I go out on site but, aside from the basics of things like track speeds, 33kv OLE and the dangers of points, we don't need to know anything like the knowledge my co-workers have about trains!!

About all I need is the ELRs, schematics and some contact numbers for whose track we want to possess!

[StevesTruck]

Depends on time and place, but normally a bit more speed doesn't get you there faster. 

 

I was off up to Lincoln yesterday. No real rush, but doing the limit. There was some bloke in an accord leap frogging, so I eased off and let him past. He then did an overtake on a blind crest, which resulted in him getting a bit close to a car coming the other way.

 

15 miles later and several more overtakes on his part, we got into Lincoln and I was behind him at a set of lights. Kinda shows it doesn't make any difference. 

[Warrior193]

45 minutes ago, StevesTruck said:

Depends on time and place, but normally a bit more speed doesn't get you there faster. 

 

I was off up to Lincoln yesterday. No real rush, but doing the limit. There was some bloke in an accord leap frogging, so I eased off and let him past. He then did an overtake on a blind crest, which resulted in him getting a bit close to a car coming the other way.

 

15 miles later and several more overtakes on his part, we got into Lincoln and I was behind him at a set of lights. Kinda shows it doesn't make any difference. 

I agree, you really have to hammer it, which isn't usually an option most times of the day and especially given the rash of average speed cameras everywhere, to lift your average speed by 10 MPH - even over a considerable distance.

[old newbie2]

6 hours ago, Ttaskmaster said:

Blimey, I thought I had it bad working in the Asset Crossing Railway team here, where everyone but me is a complete Trainiac!!!

 

 

I'm not even a closet Trainiac, I've been a proud railfan for 60+ years, but a carguy for for only 50 or so.

 

It's been interesting to compare Network Rail's approach to electrification on the Goblin line in Walthamstow (& elsewhere) with British Railways in '59 / '60 in the other railway in the same town.

The electric trains started running on the stated date, none the routes concerned were shut down completely & the steam trains kept running during the work.

All the were OHLE & structural steelwork is still there & in use, whereas some of the new steelwork has to be redesigned 'cos it doesn't fit too well.

 

Progress.......  

 

DC

 

Meanwhile, back to cars, should I attempt to reach our Golf's claimed maximum speed here in the UK or wait for a trip to Germany?

[Warrior193]

3 hours ago, old newbie2 said:

I'm not even a closet Trainiac, I've been a proud railfan for 60+ years, but a carguy for for only 50 or so.

 

It's been interesting to compare Network Rail's approach to electrification on the Goblin line in Walthamstow (& elsewhere) with British Railways in '59 / '60 in the other railway in the same town.

The electric trains started running on the stated date, none the routes concerned were shut down completely & the steam trains kept running during the work.

All the were OHLE & structural steelwork is still there & in use, whereas some of the new steelwork has to be redesigned 'cos it doesn't fit too well.

 

Progress.......  

 

DC

 

Meanwhile, back to cars, should I attempt to reach our Golf's claimed maximum speed here in the UK or wait for a trip to Germany?

Depends on how much you want to keep your license. 

[camelspyyder]

Diesels benefit from driving too fast.

 

SWMBO had a 1.9JTD Fiat that was always coked up (a combination of her driving style and TESCO diesel which didn't suit it.)

 

It always drove better after an Italian tune-up at max velocity along the A15 to and from the Humber Bridge...

[moley]

The big advantage of speeding especially on the motorways is you get to the traffic jam much quicker than anyone else.

[KenONeill]

On 2/17/2017 at 16:31, StevesTruck said:

Depends on time and place, but normally a bit more speed doesn't get you there faster. 

 

I was off up to Lincoln yesterday. No real rush, but doing the limit. There was some bloke in an accord leap frogging, so I eased off and let him past. He then did an overtake on a blind crest, which resulted in him getting a bit close to a car coming the other way.

 

15 miles later and several more overtakes on his part, we got into Lincoln and I was behind him at a set of lights. Kinda shows it doesn't make any difference. 

Which proves more about leapfrogging in traffic than about "driving too fast" as such.

[Rainmaker]

I used to drive too fast, and I'm the first to admit it. Then I got a couple of years' advanced and performance road driving tuition from various police class 1 and similar coaches, and also got my RoSPA Gold. Now I drive smart, with a higher average A to B speed, I know how to carry speed through corners, and I get there faster while also saving fuel. Win/win!  Highly recommended!

[Phil-E]

On 2/16/2017 at 10:45, Isocrem said:

 

That's true. As long as you can accept that it's great fun to stick to the speed limit when you have an obviously annoyed person up your chuff   (not suggesting you do this), but it does seem to be the default position for many ****ed off drivers wanting to 'progress' in a 30 or 40 zone. If I want to get a speeding ticket, I'll get one on my own terms, not another drivers  

 

Yes it is fun. I also like to use the anti-tailgater device fitted to my car... otherwise known as windscreen and headlamp washers!

[Phil-E]

I've mellowed a lot in recent years.

 

I used to find that having low powered cars encouraged me to speed which seems a bit backwards I know. It was more fun I guess to thrash them which ultimately led to going over the limit more often than not. Also being able to achieve victory over other cars and overtake them with 50/60/70bhp was always fun.

 

Now I'm happy to go with the flow most of the time. Obviously I'll stick my foot down and get past the driver not able to go any faster than 45mph on an NSL road.

 

As we go to Germany at least once a year I can get my speed fix on the Autobahn there. Although even now I'm not bothered about maxing it out. Happy to just do the advised limit of 130km/h with the odd stretch of 160+kmh keeping up with the flow... unless the roof is down... don't want to mess up the hair do!

[Aspman]

2 hours ago, Phil-E said:

I've mellowed a lot in recent years.

 

I used to find that having low powered cars encouraged me to speed which seems a bit backwards I know. It was more fun I guess to thrash them which ultimately led to going over the limit more often than not. Also being able to achieve victory over other cars and overtake them with 50/60/70bhp was always fun.

 

To some extent I've noticed that the more powerful a car I drive the less inclined I am to go fast in a normal journey.

 

I don't know if it's a subconscious knowledge of "I could go faster then you if I wanted" or just that I'm more relaxed knowing I can overtake when I need to.

[pipsyp]

I think the majority of us do speed a bit on a daily basis and most honest people would admit as much....not because we are bad people I would suggest....rather the UK speed limit vs the capabilities of most cars nowadays are rather skewed.

 

Im not condoning it (as its against the law of course) but the fast lane of most motorways, where conditions are good and the roads are not busy.....90mph in the fast lane in a modern car I would not classify as dangerous.

 

Just opinion but for me I think the highway code should be tweaked something like as follows: -

 

National speed limit on single carriage roads remain at 60.

 

Dual carriageway 70 mph inside lane, 80 outside line.

 

Motorway/4 lane 70 inside, 80 middle lanes, 90 outer lane.

 

Police still allow a 10% variance......if you get caught over that value then face your prosecution (be that points, fine, jailtime whatever depending on severity and circumstances).

 

More appropriate...make these smart motorways smarter to vary these per lane limits based upon traffic volumes, weather etc......i.e the weathers bad and/or the road is heavily congested drop the limits back appropriately.

 

People speed because nowadays unless a road is busy sitting at 70mph on a motorway 3rd/4th lane is pretty unbareable...and pretty unfeasible.  Think about a time youve sat on the outer lane at 70 and how long youve done so before pulling in.....

 

Personally I think set speed limits that are comesurate with the day and age; less people will feel the need to speed I'd wager.

[Aspman]

18 hours ago, pipsypreturnsagain said:

 

National speed limit on single carriage roads remain at 60.

 

Dual carriageway 70 mph inside lane, 80 outside line.

 

Motorway/4 lane 70 inside, 80 middle lanes, 90 outer lane.

 

 

 

Unofficially that's what you've got anyway. And that's probably for the best. Plod quietly ignores it for most of the time but has the option to do something should you be taking the P.

 

I think the French idea of variable speed limits based on conditions is a good idea. i..e drops when raining.

Not sure how they decide just how damp it has to be to kick in.

 

[mac11irl]

7 hours ago, Aspman said:

 

Unofficially that's what you've got anyway. And that's probably for the best. Plod quietly ignores it for most of the time but has the option to do something should you be taking the P.

 

I think the French idea of variable speed limits based on conditions is a good idea. i..e drops when raining.

Not sure how they decide just how damp it has to be to kick in.

 

 

Yeah, first time i drove over to the UK for a weekend training course with a couple of guys we got asked by the crew we were meeting up wit how the drive was. Said it was grand, didnt take too long sitting on 75 the whole way down motorway. Got told "and i bet there was guys ripping past at 85+.. as long your not lane chopping and bein a **** cops dont over inforce. Enjoy the drive home in monday"

 

Its pretty much same story over here, though a few yokel gardai tend to take a turn and over enforce on a few spots. That said, the spots in question ive regularly been ripped past while sitting on 90odd mph.. ie lads clane liftin o'er d ton bah

[keystonedriving]

On 2/23/2017 at 19:26, pipsypreturnsagain said:

 

Police still allow a 10% variance......if you get caught over that value then face your prosecution (be that points, fine, jailtime whatever depending on severity and circumstances).

 

 

 

Don't bank on it, it depends where you are.

 

If you're feeling lucky, try it in Wales........

[pipsyp]

1 hour ago, keystonedriving said:

 

Don't bank on it, it depends where you are.

 

If you're feeling lucky, try it in Wales........

Fair comment, largely depends on the officer and their mood/directives at the time.

 

They are supposed to allow some slack for speedo inaccuracies and imagine its a rare event to get pulled for doing 80 in a 70 nowadays.....I'd say 80-85 is probably the real world outside lane average pace nowadays....again not condoning it but its pretty much how it is.

[keystonedriving]

There is now no need to allow any slack for speedo inaccuracy unless the vehicle is more than about 20 years old.  Since then the construction and use regulations have required that a speedo may not under-read at all, it is permitted to over-read by a modest amount.  Therefore if you are 'only' a little bit over, your speedo will be saying that you are rather more over than you actually are.

[P6bJOHN]

My Yeti has done 22k miles, the tyres are original with 4mm all round, according to Tom Tom my speedo is almost 10% fast.