XSeries-forum

Motorway Speed Limit

Should be a good thing if you aren't in traffic!


Turks.

Was the 70 limit put in place to save fuel in the 1970s when the fuel crisis was the big problem of the day and actually has nothing to do with safety, it was purely to help people stop using extra fuel.

Phill


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[quote=""phill""]Was the 70 limit put in place to save fuel in the 1970s when the fuel crisis was the big problem of the day and actually has nothing to do with safety, it was purely to help people stop using extra fuel.

Phill


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Yes quite correct and if I remember correctly there was also a blanket 50 mph limit off motorways.


Lez

The 70 limit has been in place since just after the M1 opened after there was an outcry amongst MPs after someone drove a sports car ( AC Cobra? ) at 100mph + and for some reason it was decided this wasn't the done thing!! Until then there was no upper limit.

The oil crisis of the 1970's brought in a blanket 50mph upper limit. It took years to get it put back to 70 on dual carriageways.

These days 70mph does seem a little out of step with a lot of the world, and I suspect that if the traffic is clear enough to let you go above 70 then a lot of drivers do - some a LOT faster! There will always be the nay sayers who say safety will be compromised blah blah, but in all honesty there are already a large number if RTC's being caused by people driving faster than 70mph anyway.

The only real concern I have is not safety - modern vehicles have a large number of 'safety devices', it's poor driving skills. Holding the limit at 70 saves the UK Government needing to spend money actually sorting out driver training.

Yeah you are right, it was brought in due to a speeding AC Cobra, before that cars really weren't that fast.

What is daft about the article I think is that they say in one line that it is hoped it will speed things up and boost the economy and in the next line it says that people drive at that speed anyway... if they do it anyway then what will change unless people start going at 90?


Turks.

Is there a lower limit on a motorway? I am not aware of one.

Phill


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[quote=""Turks""] if they do it anyway then what will change unless people start going at 90?
Turks.[/quote]
?
i imagine so most people seem to sit at 80 now anyway what with the 10%+1 so surely everyone will now just sit at 90?

X5 4.4i 90mph at part throttle

145 mph at full throttle

164 mph full throttle with a bit extra injected

tbh, I think this is sensible as they do say a lot of peeps drive at 80-85 anyway.

As for everyone just driving at 90 if the limit is raised, hmmm, I honestly don't know. The reason being is that I am one of those that drives at 80, and in a modern car it feels comfortable, but when pushing on towards 90, I do seriously feel that it seems a little fast (and I have made many trips to the Ring and driven at 170+). Maybe it's just psychological but generally the car (and I have driven plenty) always feel more light and the fear of someone just pulling out is there too.

As some have said, most modern cars standard brakes, etc are so much more better than 30 years ago when the limit was bought in.

I would sit around the 80 mark if driving on the motorway, it just feels a comfortable speed. I don't travel at 80 just to push my luck. If the law is changed then it won't mean i'll start travelling at 90, it'll just mean there is no chance of me getting points!

Tbh, to go at 90 in a lot of cars is pushing its limits and you really do feel that. Unfortunately in the X, I haven't yet really felt it and I have pushed it however, over 80 it guzzles fuel and also doesn't want to stop accelerating... just below 80 it sounds and feels like it is just happy to cruise.


Turks.

[quote=""phill""]Is there a lower limit on a motorway? I am not aware of one.[/quote]

Nope - no lower limit unless a 'Minimum Speed' sign is posted (Blue Circle, White Border with a speed shown - for those that are wondering what one looks like) As long as you're driving a qualifying vehicle then that's the only requirement. You might draw a little too much interest if you 'fail to make progress', but what the offence might be I have no idea. Due Care & Attention? Obstruction?

Although I agree with the increase to the limit I feel there needs to be other action taken too. I think there should be minimum speeds defined for lanes 2 & 3, and also a much more active stance taken with regards to middle lane cruisers.

Middle lane drivers should be done for driving without due care and attention

I thought there was a minimum speed of 40-45 mph, or is this just for hgv's.

The thing is when your brakes are just half worn, IE pads. Even though your brakes are MOTed and they pass, they don't tend to stop to well or your get brake fade just slowing down from 70mph. I no this when I bought my 530d last yr and got bad fade just slowing down, had to replace pads for uprated. The ones that come off was in good condition, so just think how many cars brakes are no good at 70mph


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[quote=""scooby1doo1""]The thing is when your brakes are just half worn, IE pads. Even though your brakes are MOTed and they pass, they don't tend to stop to well or your get brake fade just slowing down from 70mph. I no this when I bought my 530d last yr and got bad fade just slowing down, had to replace pads for uprated. The ones that come off was in good condition, so just think how many cars brakes are no good at 70mph
[/quote]

That makes no sense to me. The Pads are the same composite all the way through so if half worn will still be the same characteristics as when they were new. To get brake fade just slowing from 70mph shouldn't happen.

More worryingly are the drivers that rely on their brakes and don't quite know their stopping distances or driving ability.


Turks.