[theonefrombrum]

On certain roads like urban carriageways and motorways, do you think it's really that bad to go over the speed limit by a bit? The speed limit for urban dual carriageways is 30mph and I'm only a learner and yet when Im on them, it just seems so slow, especially seeing as how there's no one really,looking to cross the road. Near enough everyone I've seen on them roads drives at at least 35mph as theyre always overtaking me and i make sure that I'm at least at 30.

Also on motorways, a lot of people I know go at 80 and say that loads of people do. I can imagine that I probably would as the risks clearly aren't that bad If loads of people do it and crashes are rare and it's just a quicker way to get wherever you're going.

Honest thoughts on speeding in certain situations?

[Opinionscount]

90% of people go over the limit

[Runninground]

If the place was empty with no cars around, and the weather was good then you'd be fine above the speed limit. As soon as there are other cars I would definitely stick to the limit. I wouldn't want to kill a child or go into the back of someone's car because I was going 10mph over the limit 'because everyone else was'.

[TattyBoJangles]

In built-up areas with schools etc I'll stick to the limit.
On country roads if the conditions are fine then yes, maybe I'll exceed the speed limit. Not by a lot, but I'll drive at what feels safe as opposed to making sure I keep an eye on the speedo. I'll generally only go over if I know the roads though as they can be surprisingly twisty.
On motorways I, er, only really stick to 70 if I know there are cameras around. I don't go shooting around at 90 or anything but if I get up to 75 /80 I won't make an effort to correct it.

[a10]

everyone speeds its so easy not to pay attention to the dial but drive safely!

[Dan1909]

If the road is safe to drive faster than the limit, and not somewhere where you're likely to run into a camera/policeman then yes, go for it and have some fun. Just don't be a 'tard and you'll be fine!

(Original post by a10)
everyone speeds its so easy not to pay attention to the dial but drive safely!

I don't really understand this excuse, how can you not know what speed you're going?

[Holz888]

Most of the time I go the speed limit. I suppose it was set for a reason, and hitting someone would be the worst thing ever. Braking from 30 gives them a better chance than braking from 40. I suppose if you know the area well, then 5 mph over isn't the end of the world. I often glance at the speedometer, see I'm going over and slow down a bit. I hate going slowly, but I'd rather take a few minutes longer than get in an accident or kill someone. Plus, you never know where speed cameras are lurking!

[a10]

(Original post by Dan1909)
If the road is safe to drive faster than the limit, and not somewhere where you're likely to run into a camera/policeman then yes, go for it and have some fun. Just don't be a 'tard and you'll be fine!



I don't really understand this excuse, how can you not know what speed you're going?

It's not an excuse, seriously it's really easy to go over the speed limit one second you approach a 20mph zone then you look at your dial your doing 25 or 30. Of course you can prevent this by being more cautious about ur speed but believe me it's easy to speed....do u drive?

[Kazbian]

I try to not to break the speed limit too much e.g. if it's a 30mph road, I tend to keep between 30-35mph (I know 34-35 is breaking the limit, but it's not excessive; just taking the foot off the accelerator will quickly sort that out). Sometimes I'll look down at the speed dial, see I'm doing 40mph and have to slow down. I speed a fair amount on motorways, but I try not to go much faster than 80mph. I don't want to waste petrol going unnecessarily fast and I don't want to be caught speeding, as well as obviously not wanting to be in an accident.

[Camoxide]

I have to stick to the speed limits due to black box but I can get away with 35 constantly according to my speedo.

[Dan1909]

(Original post by a10)
It's not an excuse, seriously it's really easy to go over the speed limit one second you approach a 20mph zone then you look at your dial your doing 25 or 30. Of course you can prevent this by being more cautious about ur speed but believe me it's easy to speed....do u drive?

Yes I drive. I just don't get 2 things;

A - How people don't have control over their speed, it's really not difficult to stay at a set speed
B - How people don't notice straight away that they're not at the speed they thought they were

[Dan1909]

(Original post by Camoxide)
I have to stick to the speed limits due to black box but I can get away with 35 constantly according to my speedo.

Speedos will always over-read your speed by a few MPH. It differs car to car, but they all do it.

[1992LP]

I always stick to the speed limits in residential areas, but on A roads / dual carrageways / motorways I see nothing wrong with driving at 75 - 80. Wouldn't venture too far above 80 as I don't want to take the risk of getting a ticket, but plenty of people do and nothing happens.

On back roads that are clear and empty I also see nothing wrong with a bit of "spirited" driving so long as you don't drive faster than you can see or put anyone else in danger.

[RB6144]

(Original post by Dan1909)
Yes I drive. I just don't get 2 things;

A - How people don't have control over their speed, it's really not difficult to stay at a set speed
B - How people don't notice straight away that they're not at the speed they thought they were

Agreed - if people were taught to drive properly; i.e. looking ahead for problems or changes (for example; a car in front which will require you to slow down, or a speed limit change sign) then keeping to the speed limit is easy.

If you stop accelerating or start braking at the correct times, then by the time you are required to have reduced your speed, you already have and there is no speeding or need for hard breaking. Plus it saves fuel, which is always good .

[matt2k8]

The speed limits are set for a reason by people with experience analysing what the best speed for a road is.

[FXX]

(Original post by Dan1909)
Yes I drive. I just don't get 2 things;

A - How people don't have control over their speed, it's really not difficult to stay at a set speed
B - How people don't notice straight away that they're not at the speed they thought they were

When you drive a quiet and comfortable but pokey motor with a long top gear, 10mph difference is indiscernible.

[ROG.]

Keeping to the limits can be a problem when a drivers personal perception starts to over rule what they should be doing

This is where a good driver will realise that their perception is wrong and concentrate harder on doing what is right

Mature experience drivers will usually be able to cope better than younger inexperienced ones

[ROG.]

(Original post by FXX)
When you drive a quiet and comfortable but pokey motor with a long top gear, 10mph difference is indiscernible.

Err.... I think the speedo tells the driver what is happening

the only reason not to see that is not to glance at it

[Rybee]

Like most of the people, I speed most of the time.

[FXX]

(Original post by ROG.)
Err.... I think the speedo tells the driver what is happening

the only reason not to see that is not to glance at it

Constantly checking the speedo in addition to everything else is not a safe way of driving.