Safe Speed Forums

OK, after some thought a few notes.....
The distracter in this argument is the fact that a motorist can commit a speeding offence with no repercussions whatsoever; he arrives at his destination unscathed and having presented no danger at all to anyone else. Thus, as is repeatedly stated here, it can be done quite safely.
It is a victimless crime and, as such, has no parallel (of which I can think) against which to conduct a comparison. Downloading music from the internet, stealing £10 from a millionaire, committing insurance fraud – all may appear trivial to some, but there is still an identifiable victim at the end.
This often repeated 'it can be done safely' observation conveniently (IMHO) overlooks the fact that in this country we have laws, laws which are there to provide a framework around which we identify ourselves as a society, and which we as citizens have a responsibility to obey to the best of our abilities. I insert the latter caveat as I realise it is quite possible to find oneself inadvertently breaking the speeding law – too bad if there’s a camera watching at the time.
The suggestion that we are being nannied, or are somehow ‘lesser thinking people’ if we obey all of the laws is, again IMHO, fatuous and distracting, society really gains nothing from this ‘I can think for myself’ answer to the speeding accusation. In fact its no answer at all, it just sounds like it stems from nice modern outlook when really its just an excuse for disobedience - the 'I'll do what the hell I like' mien that is already undermining our society.
However, once we begin to ignore the laws the social glue, as BW I think it was put it, begins to break down, and we are all ultimately losers. Not instantly of course, I’m not suggesting that a purposeful speeder today becomes tomorrow’s mugger, but the process is inexorably corrosive. Slowly but surely we begin to lose respect, respect for other laws and for each other.
Britain would be a far nicer place in which to live if everyone obeyed the laws and was respectful towards one another. That of course is just wishful thinking, but I don’t believe that we, the generally law abiding, should lower our standards just because this seems to be vogue thing to do.
Ina nutshell, its not the deliberate speeding thats the problem, its the underlying attitude that accompanies it.

Yes, we should obey laws - but for laws to be respected and obeyed they have to be sensible and applicable. I suggest that in most cases responsible motorists exceed the speed limit because the speed limit is neither sensible nor applicable to the immediate circumstances, and as such responsibility for the law sinking into disrepute rests squarely with the law rather than the public.

What would be the new law? Perhaps "obey the speed limit, unless you think it's wrong"! A bit lax, that, isn't it?

The general law that you should obey speed limits is fine (and most will agree with it)

the 85% rule works fine

motorways would be 85 or 90 mph limit), strict (and exclusive) enforcement

There have been many other unreasonable laws, and they were only removed because people objected to them and often had to use civil disobedience (i.e. law breaking) to get their message across.

What would be the new law? Perhaps "obey the speed limit, unless you think it's wrong"! A bit lax, that, isn't it?

.......and everybody should make an effort to try to fit in with that.

However, once we begin to ignore the laws the social glue, as BW I think it was put it, begins to break down, and we are all ultimately losers. Not instantly of course, I’m not suggesting that a purposeful speeder today becomes tomorrow’s mugger, but the process is inexorably corrosive. Slowly but surely we begin to lose respect, respect for other laws and for each other.
Britain would be a far nicer place in which to live if everyone obeyed the laws and was respectful towards one another. That of course is just wishful thinking, but I don’t believe that we, the generally law abiding, should lower our standards just because this seems to be vogue thing to do.
Ina nutshell, its not the deliberate speeding thats the problem, its the underlying attitude that accompanies it.

Yes, we should obey laws - but for laws to be respected and obeyed they have to be sensible and applicable. I suggest that in most cases responsible motorists exceed the speed limit because the speed limit is neither sensible nor applicable to the immediate circumstances, and as such responsibility for the law sinking into disrepute rests squarely with the law rather than the public.

So the law is "obey the speed limit". If only you'd said that at the start! Listen up everybody, SafeSpeed says the law is "obey the speed limit", so get on with it and do exactly that!

You still haven't answered my question from the other thread - and you seem to be studiously avoiding it.

{snip}
most Responsible motorists exceed the limit, yes ... are in essence, attempting to comply with the spirit of the law even so.
{snip}
Taking the piss, deliberately and purposefully is something altogether different; someone doing 110mph down the motorway is not even attempting to comply. {snip}... it's not the actual speed thats the problem, its the underlying attitude {snip}

Some of you seem to be suggesting that since the (mis)application of the law has become a joke this should in effect serve to explain and perhaps mitigate this behaviour. Well not in my book it doesn't, if we are indeed responsible, and above all mature, people we should realise that we have a duty to exercise self-control.

Blah blah blah... You really do go on.

Listen up. This forum is for finding solutions and your constant carping about the law's the law sin't helping.
You're not telling us anything that we haven't heard ad nauseam before.

You still haven't answered my question from the other thread - and you seem to be studiously avoiding it.
Until you can give us a convincing argument as to why we should all stick to the limits at all times, besides because it's the law, I would suggest you stop wasting your breath and our patience.

Basingwerk is basically a troll, Pete, who gets great pleasure out of giving it the pious crap about obeying the law - that is the laws he chooses. He never addresses any comments which pin him in a corner, all he wants to do is spout crap about the law, the law, the law.

Responsible motorists exceed the limit, yes this is the reality I myself have pointed to before. Nonetheless I suggest that these people are, in essence, attempting to comply with the spirit of the law even so. They should be treated as such.
Taking the piss, deliberately and purposefully is something altogether different; someone doing 110mph down the motorway is not even attempting to comply.

True. Would you like my resignation now?

Speed limit compliance is not what really matters.

Listen mate, you can (and obviously will) do as you please. I'm not intentionally preaching here, all I'm saying is that I would not join any outcry or attempt to mount a proxy defence if anyone is nailed whilst taking the piss - safely or otherwise. They would, IMHO, get what they deserve.



An oft repeated mantra that unfortunately doesn't say anything. What do you mean by this? Speed limit compliance isn't what matters to what preciesly?
To road safety...I'd be inclined to agree.
To you personally...perhaps not.
To society as a whole...I happen to think it does for reasons I've postulated above.

Please listen Rigpig - I will not call you 'mate' - you have your opinion regarding compliance with speed limits etc., and I have mine.

And equally clearly there's a problem with these particular laws since such a large percentage of responsible people choose to ignore them.

Name just one other law which requires constant vigilance and conscious effort - often undue effort - on the part of a normal person to not break.