From: ianking@nnsgs52 (Ian King)
Newsgroups: uk.transport
Subject: Re: Rear end drivers, etc
Date: 20 Jan 1993 09:06:15 GMT
Organization: Northern Telecom Europe Ltd
Reply-To: ianking@lon40.nt.com
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Andy Smith (asmith@acorn.co.uk) wrote:

> OK, a few comments. Firstly I do about 30k miles a year, mainly on motorways
> and dual carriage way, but I always try to drive below 90mph.

I drive about 35K miles a year mainly on motorways and dual carriage ways but
I always try to drive at "around" 70mph. 

Out of curiosity, how many accidents have you been involved in? You are subject
to the same law of averages that I am. I know about 5 other drivers with the
same amount of miles/year figure. All of them either havent had an accident
or they have an an odd slow-speed shunt.

> The various arguments about speed limits all suffer the same problem. You are
> taring everyone with the same brush, whereas there are various different groups
> that need to be taken into account.

> Fred is young with fast reactions, but no experience.
> Jim is older with good reactions and x years experience
> Sheila is 80 and has very poor reactions, she is also easily frightened
> Debby drives a BMW 525ix so has 4WD ABS and a new suspension, as a rep she
>    does a lot of miles.
> Joe has a clapped out Cortina with duff shocks nearly bald tyres.

> Only two of the above should be doing 70 on a motorway in good conditions.

> But I bet any money its Fred and Joe that will be rear end driving. I hate to 
> see such situations as I often see on the A45. Some guy in a fiesta sitting on
> the tail of an Audi Quattro at 90. If the Audi had to break, the fiesta driver
> would be dead!!

No you should include Debby in that. She is probably over-confident of her
car's ability and probably impatient since as a rep she has to get to meetings
on time. (I *know* a lot of reps :-) ... I'm not one :-) ). The number of
people who tailgate with BMWs seems to be higher than other makes... well on
the M1 anyway IMHO.

> The only way to make the roads safe is to allow for the sheep. You need a to 
> teach people to drive. NOT how to pass the test. They should then have a 
> 1 year limit to 1600cc and no motorway access, followed by a motorway test.
> The MOT needs to be tougher and cover shock absorbers (checked yours lately).

Couldnt agree more.

> Speed signs need to be replaced with variable signs, that read x MPH during
> the day 1/2 x when it gets dark or starts raining, and 1/4 x when there is
> ice around.

No... that would really confuse a lot of drivers.

> Learners should be limited to 60mph max, normal drivers to 70mph and advanced
> drivers to 90mph. This would give sales reps the incentive to advance their
> driving skills.

Nice idea but totally unworkable since the normal driver would block the outside
lane at 70mph ..... :-)

> There should also be a mandatory eye and reaction test every 10 years.
> The law needs to be changed to reduce the chance of dangerous drivers getting
> on the road, cameras tar everyone with the same brush. It is NOT speed that
> kills; it is the way that speed is used.

Speed kills and it may kill you. I think of that constantly when I'm driving
although I'm sure a lot of drivers dont.

------------------------------------------
I think you are trying to justify your breaking of the law.

Regards...
..........Ian


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