Need for speed

[neptune]

I want to talk about speed . Ebikes are subject to a 15 MPH speed limit . The law says that not only must they be restricted , but must be incapable of higher speeds . Heavy lorries are subject to a 60MPH on motorways . They have a speed limiter so that they can not exceed the speed limit except downhill . Remember that HGVs are driven by professional drivers , with special licenses .Cars on the other hands , are driven most often by amateurs , of varying proficiency . Cars are of course capable of exceeding the speed limit by a wide margin . I no longer drive ,but always felt that all road vehicles should have intelligent speed controllers , which would self adjust to the current speed limit . A few years ago in Eira , they had a new insurance scheme for new drivers .The deal was that if you had a tachograph fitted to your car , and sent your tacho records to the insurance company for monthly inspection , your insurance costs would be greatly reduced . The insurance company`s definition of an eligible driver is one who sticks to the speed limit FIFTY PERCENT of the time . Go figure .

 

[flecc]

Speed limiters can be very dangerous. For example, if one encounters a vehicle travelling slower, it can be easy to overtake quickly and safely in an unlimited car. With a limiter the acceleration can abruptly cease during the overtaking manouvre, prolonging the danger period and potentially causing an accident.

The very slow and prolongued overtaking one sees with HGVs passing other HGVs on the motorways is an example.

 

[Fordulike]

flecc beat me to it

I no longer drive ,but always felt that all road vehicles should have intelligent speed controllers , which would self adjust to the current speed limit.

Nice idea in theory, but in reality, dangerous and the potential to create road mayhem.

Sometimes you need to exceed the speed limit slightly to make a safe manoeuvre.
Joining motorways from slip roads for example, or safely overtaking a large vehicle on a country lane.
If you are following a car towing a caravan that is travelling well below the limit of the road, then you certainly don't want to be hitting a limiter whilst overtaking.
We don't need a nanny state, just a society that is better educated in safer driving techniques.

 

[amigafan2003]

I no longer drive ,but always felt that all road vehicles should have intelligent speed controllers , which would self adjust to the current speed limit .

All cars have this - it's called a driver*

*Although different makes and model have varying intelligence

 

[flecc]

flecc beat me to it

Last edited by Fordulike; Today at 22:16. Reason: flecc is too quick

But your answer was more complete, so better!

 

[RoadieRoger]

Neptune you are gods gift to the powers that be with ideas like that . They will be rubbing their hands with glee at such powers of control over us . The next step would be to microchip us , you`ll have a choice , in the neck or somewhere which will make your eyes water .

 

[neptune]

Not a popular idea then . When I was in business , I paid £300 to have my van fitted with the nearest thing to a speed governer . This was an alarm that sounded when an [adjustable] speed was exceeded . Problems joining a motorway with a speed restrictor? I managed to do that for 20 years with a vehicle weighing 44 tonnes without a problem .If everyone is speed restricted , there would be much less overtaking anyway . It would save the nation millions of pounds in saved fuel . Less children killed in urban areas . The thing that bugs me is the sheer hypocrisy of it all . If the motorway limit is 70MPH , why sell cars capable of well over 100 MPH .Too many people have the attitude "Yes I know all about speed limits , they are for the proletarians , but I , and I alone , am such a gifted driver that they do not apply to me ." A question for you . If you could have a tachograph fitted to your car , and have the records made available to your insurance company , and get a 50% reduction in your insurance costs , would you go for It . If not , why not .All I am interested in , is the greatest good for the greatest number .Microchip in the neck ? If it would help to catch murderers before they struck again., bring it on ! Think of the children that have gone missing over the years , snatched by perverts . If those kids had been microchipped , and could be tracked by sattelite , they would be safe at home today .Madaleine McCann where are you now . As an old hippy , I am a big believer in personal freedom . But there has to be a balance between personal freedom and the wellbeing of the vulnerable .

 

[eddieo]

not been to Germany then? were it is common to be overtaken by cars doing 150mph +

 

[neptune]

@eddieo . Yes I have been to Germany , and have driven HGVs all over Europe . On the Autobahn there is no speed limit ,, no hypocracy .So would you have a tachograph fitted to your car ?

 

[flecc]

Britain is a small player in the car market, cars are made for the world and all have different ideas on speed limiting. As for the truck limiting you mentioned, they are large enough to cope with joining motorways etc since car drivers have no option but to give way to them.

The future you are advocating is a horrific one in which few would want to live, and I can't understand how you can say you are a believer in personal freedom. I suggest you find an island where you can live with the tiny number of others who agree. That way I'll be able to carry on murdering innocents at will, mowing down pedestrians at 120 mph and indulging in any other anti-social activities that take my fancy.

Of course the truth is that those things are very rare, and universally removing personal freedom to deal with them is truly using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. In any case, what you envisage is flawed, since there will still be almost all such offences driven by emotion. The proof of that is the way people offend undisguised even when they know they are on CCTV and likely to be caught.

 

[danfoto]

not been to Germany then? were it is common to be overtaken by cars doing 150mph +

Yes - and the buggers drive on the wrong side of the road too!

 

[flecc]

Yes - and the buggers drive on the wrong side of the road too!

True, we drive on the right side!

 

[eddieo]

@eddieo . Yes I have been to Germany , and have driven HGVs all over Europe . On the Autobahn there is no speed limit ,, no hypocracy .So would you have a tachograph fitted to your car ?

It would not bother me in the slightest as long as everyone had one, but it would have to have a way to allow for overtaking. I think London cabs should have a tachograph as they are a law unto themselves. have had one serious and two damage only incidents with cabs, and you could see they were exhausted....I think it is literally criminal what they get away with.

 

[neptune]

Ok .I realise not everyone shares my opinions , nor would I expect them to . My aim was to make you think . Any takers on the car tachograph question then ? OK flecc , I will move to an island like you say , but I expect you to do the fund raising to pay for it . As a minimum , It must have a tropical climate , and charge points every mile !

 

[themutiny]

.All I am interested in , is the greatest good for the greatest number .Microchip in the neck ? If it would help to catch murderers before they struck again., bring it on ! .

Ever seen the film 'minority report'?

 

[neptune]

No I never saw the film , but it is probably a bit like 1984 .

 

[flecc]

Ok .I realise not everyone shares my opinions , nor would I expect them to . My aim was to make you think . Any takers on the car tachograph question then ? OK flecc , I will move to an island like you say , but I expect you to do the fund raising to pay for it . As a minimum , It must have a tropical climate , and charge points every mile !

Oh no! As one of a minority you either live the majority way or pay for your own preferred alternative location.

Tachograph, no thanks, the daily annoyance used to irritate me when driving trucks occasionally. There's quite enough hassle surrounding car use already without such unnecessary things being added.

My viewpoint on all these issues is diametrically opposed to yours. I think our British world is far too safe, regimented and regulated, with a gross excess of laws that do little or no good. I'm reminded of the years when Gatso camera installations doubled and road deaths actually rose a little, obviously a pointless very large expenditure which increased driver irritation and shifted the consequential accidents elsewhere.

 

[danfoto]

I think our British world is far too safe, regimented and regulated, with a gross excess of laws that do little or no good.

Oh bravo, sir. Bravo.

Next time I see Betty Windsor, I'll see if she can't bring your knighthood forward a bit ...

 

[flecc]

Oh bravo, sir. Bravo.

Next time I see Betty Windsor, I'll see if she can't bring your knighthood forward a bit ...

Thank you but no. I would refuse any civil honour since to accept is to condone the way things are run.

 

[danfoto]

Thank you but no. I would refuse any civil honour since to accept is to condone the way things are run.

Fair enough. I'll tell her you said she can poke it.