Re: Watch out, watch out, there's a copper about : Tue Apr 13, 2010 11:40 am  

Speed doesn't kill. Inappropriate speed does.

And yes someone being knocked over can quite easily be to blame (speed in this case can be irrelevant). You could be doing 10mph in a 30 zone and hit some one who wanders into the road (for whatever reason) and run them over; they may die. It doesn't stop them being at fault though.

Re: Watch out, watch out, there's a copper about : Tue Apr 13, 2010 11:51 am  

Speed kills… simple as that. So, I agree with 20mph zones near schools and parks, plus other built-up residential areas, etc.

Fortunately, most good drivers drive to the conditions of the road. However, a driver needs to realise that every time they climb into their car they are then in control of a deadly weapon if used inappropriately. It is easy to make a car go, but takes a lot more effort to make it stop!!

A driver has a protective shell to help cater for the unexpected; pedestrians, cyclists and bikers generally do not!!

The other issue with speed limits is that they have to go to the lowest common denominator – the idiot!!

There are too many of them around with no regard to other road users or pedestrians. Indeed, the complete lack of etiquette on our roads is all too evident with the pace of life being for us to get from A to B as quickly as possible.

However, the issue here is about enforcement.

In simple terms, if you break any trafficking laws you only have yourself to blame if you get caught.

But here’s the rub…

Some roads are arguably suitable for driving at a higher speed. For example, I live near a golf course where there is a church opposite with a lay-by. The road is wide enough to take 3 cars side-by-side with all round clear views. However, this is designated as a 30mph zone whereas, in my opinion, it would not be inappropriate for this to be a 40mph as there are no schools or other residencies nearby.

However, PC Plink sits in the lay-by with his speed camera catching countless motorists. Now, while I deplore this action, I would applaud it if his location was near a school or playground etc.

That said – whether we think the determined speed limit is right or wrong – it is up to the driver to abide by it as set by the relevant council. It is usually there for a good reason. Even on a motorway doing 80, 70 could make all the difference to help prepare for the unexpected – be it a blow out, or any other unforeseeable event.

In short, for the speed limit set – abide by it.

Sorry for the length of this post, but if just one death is saved from a lower speed limit then it has to be worth it.

Re: Watch out, watch out, there's a copper about : Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:03 pm  

sally cinnamon wrote:

Drinking and driving doesn't kill. I could drink 10 pints and drive at 80mph and I'd be fine. Its colliding with something that kills. And yet its drink driving thats the offence.....why not make it colliding thats the offence...?

And statistcally the overwhelming ammount of accidents involve sober drivers! Seemingly they pose more of a threat than drunk drivers.

Re: Watch out, watch out, there's a copper about : Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:08 pm  

I agree that speed kills but so does idiosy. Can we please ban idiosy too.

Re: Watch out, watch out, there's a copper about : Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:16 pm  

Timmy the Koi wrote:

If i'm driving down an empty road at 4am in the morning as i often do on my way to fishing, and i'm doing 50mph in 40mph zone, am i likely to kill anyone? No.

If i stop at a red light, and there's nothing coming, i drive through. Oh no, i've jumped a red light. Did anyone die? No.

No offence like, but the above makes you sound like a complete ****.

You sound like the type of person that revs your engine at set of red lights? (well, ones that you actually stop for!). You sound like the kind of person that will career across 3 lanes of motorway traffic in a single manouver. You sound like the kind of person that will cut someone up without hesitation, whether it be on a three lane junction with one turning left and the others going straight on, or even at a roundabout.

It's morons like you that make decent people like me hesitant about wanting to drive on our roads. And you know what's worse; you openly admit that you drive like that. "Oh, look at me, I drive at 90mph on the motorway. I'm breaking the law, but it doesn't matter as I've not killed anyone..........yet. I drive through red lights at 4am, even if nothing is coming in the other direction. I'm breaking the law, wow, I'm dead hard I am. Whoooooooo!".

Well, next time you're doing the above and you end up being horribly mangled in a car accident because someone IS coming the other way, or someone breaks and you don't have time to and you go in the back of them, don't come on here looking for sympathy because I doubt you'll get any.

And yes, I do feel strongly about stuff like that because people like you get right on my tits. But hey, I'm sure you're a sound guy when you're away from your car.

Re: Watch out, watch out, there's a copper about : Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:54 pm  

Wire_Yed wrote:

I agree that speed kills but so does idiosy. Can we please ban idiosy too.

And bad spelling.

Re: Watch out, watch out, there's a copper about : Tue Apr 13, 2010 1:51 pm  

SEB wrote:

And bad spelling.

i thought that but on my predictive text it didn't correct me, W71 will have a field day now

Re: Watch out, watch out, there's a copper about : Tue Apr 13, 2010 4:41 pm  

Mass Effect wrote:

No offence like, but the above makes you sound like a complete ****.

You sound like the type of person that revs your engine at set of red lights? (well, ones that you actually stop for!). You sound like the kind of person that will career across 3 lanes of motorway traffic in a single manouver. You sound like the kind of person that will cut someone up without hesitation, whether it be on a three lane junction with one turning left and the others going straight on, or even at a roundabout.

It's morons like you that make decent people like me hesitant about wanting to drive on our roads. And you know what's worse; you openly admit that you drive like that. "Oh, look at me, I drive at 90mph on the motorway. I'm breaking the law, but it doesn't matter as I've not killed anyone..........yet. I drive through red lights at 4am, even if nothing is coming in the other direction. I'm breaking the law, wow, I'm dead hard I am. Whoooooooo!".

Well, next time you're doing the above and you end up being horribly mangled in a car accident because someone IS coming the other way, or someone breaks and you don't have time to and you go in the back of them, don't come on here looking for sympathy because I doubt you'll get any.

And yes, I do feel strongly about stuff like that because people like you get right on my tits. But hey, I'm sure you're a sound guy when you're away from your car.

I'm sorry thats how you feel i've come across mate, its not what i intended obviously. The point i was making was that its the inappropriate speeding/dangerous driving that are the real crimes, not the incidents i pointed out. The redlight thing should have been more specific, i was talking about somewhere like Crosfields roundabout, where you can see every exit, and at a time when there is really no one on the roads, if i am not 110% certain, then i would never take a risk. Anyone who knows me, would know thats not how i come across. If i'm guilty of anything, its some enthusiastic driving out in Wales or other remote B-roads, or track days, but thats because i am a considerate driver, with a performance car who enjoys driving, so i do it away from the public. The 90mph motorway point i was making, was to indicate that when conditions allow, it is perfectly safe to move at 90mph with the traffic, as long as everyone is leaving the required stopping distances etc. I'm not a tailgaiter and i will never cut anybody up. Looking back, i see how it could have been seen as bragging, but it wasn't, i was merely trying to get people to think about this mantra that speed kills. It does, but only when it is dangerous and inappropriate to do so.

[Fantastic Mr Catpiss]

Re: Watch out, watch out, there's a copper about : Tue Apr 13, 2010 6:11 pm  

Any chance we can discuss this without the blatant insults folks?

Re: Watch out, watch out, there's a copper about : Tue Apr 13, 2010 8:27 pm  

Catpiss Baljeet wrote:

Any chance we can discuss this without the blatant insults folks?

Apologies mate, just annoyed me.