How oftn do you speed?

I'm staggered by the number of people I have to sit behind doing 27 mph [this isn't on the bike obv] who then sail through the next light about a second after it has turned red/cross a mini roundabout without looking right or even apparently noticing it/glide serenely through a zebra crossing with people waiting at the side, all at exactly the same 27 mph, happy in the knowledge that they are such a safe driver.

Every single time, in any vehicle (including push bikes), there have been situations where it has been safe to exceed the speed limit, and I have done so. I have never had an accident when I have been exceeding the speed limit. The two times I have been involved in minor accidents, I have been well (over 33%) under the post speed limit, even before I began braking.

So, I see nothing wrong with going fast when the road ahead is clear, familiar roads, bike is in good condition, no one else around, nowhere for traffic to emerge from etc. yet I regularly do 15-25 (depending on the conditions) in 30 zones. There are some 30 zones I do 40, or even 50 in, but those are roads that used to be at those limits and on which it is safe to do so. Near me, there are lots are 'villages' (read, literally 3/4 buildings with drives going onto the main road) where they've put a 30/40mph speed limit for a couple of miles either side, despite the area of increased danger only being a few hundred yards.

Originally Posted by Valman

Does anyone else think that sticking to the speed limits can be dangerous for yourself on quite a few roads involving 30 mph speed limits?

Riding at an 'appropriate', as opposed to 'signposted' speed generally makes you concentrate more; crawling at 30 through a lane that should be 60 and you start admiring scenery, rubber necking and generally being inattentive.

Incidentally, I've never had a speeding ticket (half decent observation lets you chuck the anchors on for cameras/police on bridges etc.).

I ride based on the road conditions, traffic and surrounding area (pedestrians/schools/houses etc) not what a sign says, they are generally covered in graffiti anyway. There is a nice dual carriageway on the way to work that has good visibility and no side roads which is a 40 and I would be lying if I said I never exceeded that. On the flip side there is a lane near the misses parents that is national speed limit but is narrow, badly surfaced, regally has horses on it and boy racer idiots fly down it (there have been a few accidents down there) but I never go a 60 because it isn't safe to do so in my opinion.

Some people spend more time looking at signs than roads. A sign can't tell you whats on the road or if it even safe to travel at the speed written on it.

[carelesschucca]

Originally Posted by Iansv

every day, day in day out... everyone does well 95% of people, the ones who stick rigidly to speed limits are far more dangerous IMHO

WHY???

Originally Posted by Smiffy

I'm staggered by the number of people I have to sit behind doing 27 mph [this isn't on the bike obv] who then sail through the next light about a second after it has turned red/cross a mini roundabout without looking right or even apparently noticing it/glide serenely through a zebra crossing with people waiting at the side, all at exactly the same 27 mph, happy in the knowledge that they are such a safe driver.

That's because our wonderful law system gives people the impression that it's fine to do those things so long as they don't speed.
They're just as wrong or worse, but how many times do they get tugged for straight-lining a roundabout, pulling out without looking, jumping a red light and affecting other road users? At the end of the day The law makes these things acceptable by not punishing them in the same way as speeding
The law might state that they're technically wrong but if nobody ever gets done for it... whereas with speeding it's now widely considered as "wrong" to do 50 in a 30 even when it may be perfectly safe.
I have people pull out in front of me, etc. with no signals on several times a day on my commute. I just accept that they do it, see ti coming well in advance and work around it... but every one of them should be done for dangerous or reckless driving.

As other people have pointed out, it's considered by many now as worse to speed than it is to kill someone because you weren't bothering to look...

[Balky001]

I ride either side of the limit, depending on conditions etc. But I can't homestly remember last time a did a whole journey within the speed limit - which are only guidelines aimed at heavy goods or high sided vehicles only, or inept biddies - aren't theyt??? You mean they apply to normal people too??? Doh.

[fizzwheel]

The only places I dont exceed the speed limit are

1. Near Schools
2. In built up pedestrain areas through town etc etc,

However I do ride to the road / drive to the road conditions

OK if its dry and warm and the road is clear yes I do get a shift on, if its rainnig, or the traffic is heavy or foggy then I ride according to how I feel is safe, yes that might mean I break the speed limit but it also means I might do 50mph on the motorway instead of 70mph

Just because the limit is there doesnt mean you have to ride at it all the time, also means it cant be broken safely, as long as you dont take the mick..

IMHO

well i dont speed , stright up honest, cant afford the points at my age. and i got nearly killed at 30mph, what does that tell u. can i point out that the slower u go the more time u spend hidden from cages behind trees etc,so there is a case for speeding out there. im annoyed i wasnt as the police are trying to say i was and yet i have 2 witnesses saying i wasnt and the road i went down had 6 speed cameras and i was picked up buy none of them!

As I cannot be monitored by the Old Bill in the UK. I admit that I do anytime that my experience,circumstances and conditions allow. This is however always out of town or built up areas and never beyond my own limits of riding ability. I must admit also to be exactly the same when driving the motor.

Originally Posted by Valman

Does anyone else think that sticking to the speed limits can be dangerous for yourself on quite a few roads involving 30 mph speed limits?

Depends on the location...

I really p*ss quite a few people off in my wifes parents village... The road leading up to it is 50, but most people seem to do 40 so I over take. Then at the end of the road you enter the village and it's a 30 limit, due to really poor design of the road and lack of visibility I generally do 25. Now all these people who were doing 10 under the limit in the country side want to keep doing 40 down a road with p*ss poor visibility (when it's not safe to overtake on the 50 limit road they all pull away from me like I'm goin backwards through the built up area)... The amount of near misses I've seen is scary...