Nanny state restrictions - what would you do?

[Bri w]

I would hazard a guess that the explosion of 50mph limits along routes that used to be 60 mph has also seen a lot more road users being prosecuted for speeding. And of course I, along with many people, obey every speed limit out there on the roads today. The imposition of more speed restrictions doesn't mean more people will obey them like sheep, it just means more will break the law.

The performance restrictions that could be imposed in the future is a whole different ball game. In some cases the cost of reversing those restrictions may be prohibitive. And then there are those riders who don't know one end of a spanner from a screwdriver and as a result wouldn't mod their bikes.

Having all forms of transport chipped to restrict performance, and those chips being part of a MOT isn't a million light years away. Its certainly something I expect to happen, and with prohibitive fines for removing or reconfiguring.

Bearing in mind we're part of the EU, with more and more commonality of laws across national borders I wouldn't expect there to be a great benefit in moving within the EU as a means to avoid the new laws/restrictions. And after that, just where do you emigrate to.

In truth, when you look back 60 yrs at the freedoms that were available then, where we are now and with all the huffing and puffing from the lawmakers where we'll be in xx yrs time I'd say we're stuffed.

Originally Posted by Bri w

Bearing in mind we're part of the EU, with more and more commonality of laws across national borders I wouldn't expect there to be a great benefit in moving within the EU as a means to avoid the new laws/restrictions. And after that, just where do you emigrate to

There would be a difference in attitude to the way in which the law is enforced.

The French are a classic for this, if they don't like an EU law, and the French authorities don't feel like enforcing it, it just gets ignored. You can openly buy foods in restaurants that have been banned by the EU on health and safety grounds, such as "dangerous!" cheeses.

[Biker Biggles]

Go and (re)read George Orwell's 1984.Then cast your mind back as far as you can remember and think about how things were when it was written.Then project your mind forward a few years to how things may go.
A very frightening exersise indeed.Make no mistake,the restrictions will come just as fast as the technology becomes available to enforce them.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

There would be a difference in attitude to the way in which the law is enforced.

The French are a classic for this, if they don't like an EU law, and the French authorities don't feel like enforcing it, it just gets ignored. You can openly buy foods in restaurants that have been banned by the EU on health and safety grounds, such as "dangerous!" cheeses.

Plus the Spanish completely ignoring the smoking ban in bars.

Is it usual EU syndrome, we pay the most for the least benefit?

I'm not going back to using a car, it takes too long to get to work so restrictions or not I'll have to admit I'd keep a bike purely for the benifit of filtering. I'd prob stop using the motorway though as if I do stick to the limits 100% its prob just as quick for me to take the A58 all the way.

If the restrictions you propose came into effect though I'd suggested they remove the licencing points system (or at least for speeding offences) otherwise those tiny 36mph lapses in concentration on a decent would end up costing many people thier licences irrespective of the fact it wasnt even dangerous.

Ideally I wont be here to see it happen I too would prefer to leave, more over I fully intend to regardless of any further changes/restrictions.

Further ingedient for the boiling pot: At what stage do we acknowlage the technology in the development of vehicles and impliment it into the design of the highways and speed limits. Ie I remember Jeremy Clarkson suggesting that stopping distances of an Aston Martin is half of that stated in the highway code and therefore the Aston should be allowed to travel at twice the speedlimit. Obviously I dont mean it literally but, it meant to add perspective to my motion.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by leedsmatt7

Further ingedient for the boiling pot: At what stage do we acknowlage the technology in the development of vehicles and impliment it into the design of the highways and speed limits. Ie I remember Jeremy Clarkson suggesting that stopping distances of an Aston Martin is half of that stated in the highway code and therefore the Aston should be allowed to travel at twice the speedlimit. Obviously I dont mean it literally but, it meant to add perspective to my motion.

Never.
Technology when it can be taxed/restricted gets accomodated in law in about 14 seconds... but when it could be applied sensibly you've got no chance.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Never.
Technology when it can be taxed/restricted gets accomodated in law in about 14 seconds... but when it could be applied sensibly you've got no chance.

just found that interview on Youtube - he's discussing it with the former minister for transport I think. Steven ladyboy or something equally embarrasing he's called and his responce is like a political version of what YC said.

[yorkie_chris]

No wonder he's such a c*nt with a name like that, must have got some serious buggerings at school.

Stopping distances and speed limits are so out of date its almost laughable.
A pedestrian being hit at 30 mph 30 or 40 years would have come off far worse than one now as with cars designed with pedestrian impacts in mind, so cars stop better, are safer in collisions with cars and pedestrians so why are we still governed by 40 year old outdated laws.

30 mph on a normal road, excluding heavily built up or heaving with pedestrians is too slow, your concentration waivers cos you get bored and feel like you are gonna roll backwards.
I drive mostly at 40 tbh but factor in speedo's read over thats more like 35mph.
Im all for driving to conditions, in some places 50 in a 30 is not dangerous at all (again some roads are not looked at properly regarding its speed limits), but 30 sometimes is too high, wet roads at night past a school in the winter maybe.

The technology for controlling our speed automatically has been around for over 10 years, ie dropping your speed down to 30 when in a 30 zone, when the powers that be decide when to use it thats anyones guess.

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

Go and (re)read George Orwell's 1984.Then cast your mind back as far as you can remember and think about how things were when it was written.Then project your mind forward a few years to how things may go.
A very frightening exersise indeed.Make no mistake,the restrictions will come just as fast as the technology becomes available to enforce them.

+1 the omen predicted has started to come to fruition.