CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
"Dozens of major roads to have speed limits cut across Scotland"
(11 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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I think this is well overdue. There are so many roads for which 60mph is completely inappropriate.
This is very interesting:
However, any speed limit increases are on hold until police checks show drivers are complying with existing maximum speeds.
Lets see how they like it eh?
Neil Greig, its Scotland-based policy and research director, said: “The IAM fully supported the review so drivers could be confident that all speed limits were up to date and reflected modern guidelines and road conditions. By not increasing those limits which the review has said could go up, the situation remains confused.
No it doesn't. Some speed limits will go down, none will go up. What's confusing about that?
Posted 12 years ago # -
"Some speed limits will go down, none will go up. What's confusing about that?"
He has a point BUT ruins it by saying some should go up.
THAT would confuse - as well as making things worse!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Confusing that he thinks it's confusing.
Somehow "Some roads will go down to 40; others will stay at 60" = confusion
But
"Some roads will go down to 40; others will stay at 60; others will got up to 70" = perfectly comprehensible.
The thrust of his point seems to be that it will be confusing because a review will have suggested certain limits go up, then don't. Just how many drivers does he think will read the review????
Posted 12 years ago # -
I think this is well overdue.
About 6 years since the report was written, apparently.
Posted 12 years ago # -
In this peice it states the a stretch of road north of Pitlochry had the worst record for accidents at 25/1million km travelled but then straight afterwards talks about another stretch with more 37? and yet another with even more.... I need to read the original report not this bias article.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I suspect that the IAM is talking about supporting reducing speed limits on roads where conditions and accident rate dictate that this is sensible - but also the flip side - i.e. increase the limit on motorways, or give variable speed limits (according to conditions) as is applicable in certain other countries.
I dont necessarily disagree with him - Motorways are for motorised vehicles only.
Where we need reductions are clearly in areas where there is a mixed use of motorised / cycling / horses / pedestrians etc and 60mph (and sometimes 40mph) is simply too fast
Posted 12 years ago # -
I would disagree with him on increasing speed limits, even on motorways. Increasing speed limits must increase differentials in speed between different users and also increase the speeds at which accidents occur. Also at a time when we are committed to reducing emissions, increasing limits is surely not the way to go.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Also at a time when we are committed to reducing emissions, increasing limits is surely not the way to go.
It doesn't seem to have stopped that well known pro-environmental state, Texas.
Interestingly, it's the truckers that aren't thrilled about it. "For truck drivers to be on a road where other motorists are going 85 or even more, they just don't feel safe." on the basis that many trucking companies prevent their vehicles from going faster than 70-75 mph. Higher speeds, greater fuel consumption, lower net profit.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Greater speed means that reaction times are shorter and that there is less margin for error.
On top of that, the energy involved in a collision is proportional to the square of the speed. In other words, a 20% increase in speed (e.g 50mph to 60mph) means a 44% increase in energy (or a 44% increase in the devastation!).
Posted 12 years ago # -
So the Institute of Advanced Motorist thinks that lowing speed limit will be confusing. What exactly is an Advanced Motorist?
Back in the days when I was a driving instructor IAM were always considered to be something of a joke, but they are steadily getting worse...
Posted 12 years ago #
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