Observer wrote:
basingwerk wrote:
It may be policy, but it should not be public policy, because drivers will soon assume that they are 'OK under 90'. I would suggest that you can set many cameras to work this way, but seed the motorways with a spread of different settings so that no driver can feel absolutely safe from being pinged when driving above the limit.
This is rare, but I partially agree with basingwerk. I think a tacit policy which turns a blind eye to speeding on motorways and good quality d/c traffic up speeds up to 85-90 mph, if the standard of driving is otherwise good, is sensible. This would require an appropriate camera threshold or exercise of discretion in the case of handheld units and trafpol. However, if there was an increased motorway speed limit, or a public policy of no prosecution under (say) 85mph, there would (possibly) be two adverse effects:
(i) drivers who presently select a cruising speed of 70mph would select a higher speed;
(ii) prosecution of drivers exceeding the 70mph limit and NOT driving well would be more difficult.
The reason I would argue (i) is undesirable is my belief that a reasonable spread of speeds is conducive to safety on motorways. Why - because it helps to reduce bunching and provides a measure of mental stimulation for drivers - assessing closing speeds and distances, checking mirrors etc. I acknowledge this is a subjective observation. I make it because I personally feel more comfortable when I am not caught up with the majority of traffic but steadily passing most (with some faster traffic overtaking me). Therefore, my preferred cruising speed is 85mph (which I set on cruise control where traffic density allows) because I find that provides what I find is an adequate but not excessive speed differential (for unstressed driving), meets my desire to 'make progress' and gives good fuel economy. I will occasionally accelerate to 90 mph to make some space or complete an overtake more quickly but invariably settle back down to my personal 'optimum' speed.
I don't entirely agree with your analysis Observer on either point. I feel, and again it is my own subjective opinion, that people drive at certain speeds for certain reasons, either their own comfort speed, or economy. I agree that some people may increase their speed from 70 to 80 but I would argue that many would retain that speed as their own comfort speed or economic preference, and drive with a little less stress due to the freedom derived from the increased tolerance. A range of speeds around the limit in free flowing conditions IMO would allow a reasonable range of passing speeds rather than the bunching which I believe occurs from the fear of zero tolerance enforcement.
On point two there really is an increased awareness certainly in my department of growing public intolerance of careless and inconsiderate driving, especially with the recent proliferation of cameras. I think there has been a culture of tagging the driver with a speeding offence if that is applicable when often there are other aspects of their driving which has primarily caught our attention, ie tailgating, aggression etc. There is a real feeling of pressure from above being placed on our supervisors to encourage us to deal more appropriately with these kind of offences.
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Er... why? Most people drive very competently and safely on the whole. Mistakes happen - to err is human and not every mistake ends in a tragedy - but the difficult bit is learning from the mistake.