Safe Speed Forums

OK, question for y'all:

Now, I think it's clear that I'm not in favour of completely deregulated speed, and that the idea of limiting speed is not without merit* - even if I do believe that trafpol presence should not be negatively impacted by the presence of cameras.

-But-

Since taking up driving again (after an enforced break due to lack of funds), there's been a change on the main route to my home town from where I live.

I'm referring to the A12, and specifically the stretch between the Wick Rd. junction and the Blackwall Tunnel itself. Now as I recall, in the year or two since I was last driving regularly (I have had a catch-up session with an ADI friend of mine, so don't worry) they've put the limit on this stretch down from (I think) 50 to 40. It's a stretch of three lane A-road in both directions for the most part. I wouldn't complain, but for the fact that using the Wick Road junction dumps you in the inside lane, and trying to get across to lane 1 or 2 means dealing with folk who are going 50+ and undertaking and/or tailgating. This means that you're essentially risking a tug just to keep up, and move across into a lane where you can be safely overtaken.

I'm sure this can't be right. Anyone else had this experience?

Cheers,

Tc.

(* - EDIT: To clarify, this is because I feel Paul, while making a lot of sense, overestimates the willingness of the average driver to play by the rules, not because I underestimate the ability of those drivers who have bothered to take their driving abilities to an above-average level)

I don't know if we've got the right skills in the right numbers to feregulate even some of the motorways. Like Paul says, (paraphrasing) limits are useful... it's just loony limits that stuff things up.


Not exactly. Closest I've found myself is where cameras or daft layout changes have removed the ability to overtake in what would otherwise be a good spot. Of course, not a problem when the traffic ahead is moving at a reasonable pace, so not really in the same ballpark.

But in your comments about the Blackwall tunnel you're certainly not short of company:
http://www.safespeed.org.uk/forum/viewt ... 3819#43819 only a few days ago.
http://www.safespeed.org.uk/forum/viewt ... =7414#7414 from this time last year.
http://www.safespeed.org.uk/forum/viewt ... =1335#1335 from 18 months ago.

From the sounds of things I'm relieved I've never had to use it.

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Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler - Einstein

It drops you into the outside lane. And maybe that's considered hazardous enough to warrant the lower speed limit.

And most of the time once you pass that junction the limit is self-enforced anyway with the approach to the Blackwall Tunnel.

Now when they build the new bridge at Tilbury / Thamesmead you might even be able to achieve 40mph on that road.

Incidentally, the reason I don't use that road and use A406/A13 instead is because it is almost impossible to actually get onto the A12 from the A406. Now the 40mph speed limit on the A13 IS too slow, albeit that I can see a rationale on one stretch of the road, between the A406 and A117 junctions which are very close together.

Hi Tc,

I'm very familiar with the stretch of road, in fact I use the Shell petrol station on Wick Rd. for my Optimax stuff

It can be chaos when traffic volumes are high, and it usually always is on that stretch of road - the 40mph limit is ridiculous, but well sign posted, with an endless array of GATSO cameras to enforce it

I believe the reason for the 40 limit and tight enforcement was to stop huge volumes of cars piling up at the traffic lights just before the tunnel - which I'll admit was a problem many years ago - and still is, somewhat - but something else has developed over the years, and about 1-2 miles before the tunnel, the far left lane is already sign posted as the A13 exit, but people are using it to sneak ahead and cut back in at the last minute, and because so many people are doing it, if you wanted to abandon your tunnel route and detour on the A13, you simply can't because the plonkers have blocked it up.



That's the Red bridge roundabout your referring to? That is pure lunacy, the words 'lane discipline' loses all meaning I witnessed a poor fella waiting at the lights in his Clio get rear-ended by a flatbed truck who didn't see the light was red, and i've come close to doing that too, because your eyes are looking down at the tarmac to find the lanes.

I use the A13 to go visit my brother in basildon, but started using the A12/A127 because twice in quick succession, they've closed flyovers on the A13

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My friends call me RuFFy

There are alternative routes, in particular leave at Waterworks then A104 and A114. That route is actually 40mph all the way but full of traffic.

Then there's A104 North then cut through one of the little roads to get to the A1199 and head towards Green Man that way. You're not supposed to go through the little roads as shortcuts I think but does anyone ever enforce the "no motor vehicles except for access" on through route signs?

I even tried A113 once.