Hoppy

I'm firmly with JoshL and DaveT-S on this one.

On a more helpful note, an advanced driving instructor gave me a good tip which helps to stop your speed creeping up. Use third gear for 30s and 4th gear for 40s. It works for me

Best regards,

Richard.

Scotsman

iTrader: (3)

Nice tip Hoppy - simple but would be effective.

Rich.

Scooby-GP

I hope you informed her that you where still in 1st gear!!!

Dave T-S

Graham

I'm NOT a perfect driver!!!!! I just don't speed in 30/40/50 limits. End of story - i'm not a liar.

We live in a rural village. Our route to the station every day is 14 miles cross country - like a mini Nurburgring - five 30 limits through other villages, the rest 60 NSL, mostly B roads with just fields either side and no straights longer than about 100 yards. I keep rigidly to 30 in the villages, on the NSL bits it's whatever the car/road conditions/weather/traffic will stand. Sometimes you can only do 30, sometimes I don't see another car for five miles and can do up to 90 in places

THAT'S why we have two STi's.....

Josh L

Very thought provoking post Richard.

When I was young (yes they did actually have cars then Dave), I used to drive like a loony, and it's fortunate I never killed myself, or anyone else. God knows I tried!

Personally, I think that is partly down to youth, and party down to the speed of the cars I drove. I'm sure I'm not the only one, but I find that the faster the car I'm driving, the slower I drive. When your driving a POS, you try harder, but when you've got 200-300bhp, you don't have to. I find I generally overtake in safer places these days, because I have the power to go past a few cars at a time. In a slower car, you try to take every opportunity to get past a car, no matter how dangerous.

Whilst neither Myself nor Dave T-S would profess to being perfect drivers, I'm a little concerned by one or two of the 'why have a Scoob if you're goin to observe speed limits' type replies. Do you realise how ridiculous that attitude is? My Scoobs have been my favourite cars, but I didn't buy them to exceed the limits. You can do that in a Nova.

I would agree that there is too much generalisation with speed limits, but until they change you must expect to get nicked if you exceed them.

Josh

EBRWRX

Keeping to 30/40 limits in villages is very simple, particularly once you've got kids of your own. You come to realise that although you can teach them how to cross a road until your eyes pop out they still don't have full awareness of speed etc. If you've ever watched Deliverance you'll also know the mentality of your average non-urbanite.

I don't want to endanger anyone else's life by my own recklesness.

This does not stop me enjoying the FULL benefits of my Scoob. In and around town it is funnier NOT to give it some right foot just because that is exactly what everyone else is expecting.

Out on the open road and M-Ways I'll give it as much as the next man. Why put that in jeapordy by accumulating needless 3 pointers? The simple fact is that you are not going to get from A-B much quicker around town, sit back turn the music up and watch the world go by.

Vate

Dave T-S

Very commendable to stick to 30/40/50 but you won't be smiling when you round a bend and take a cyclist out at 90 in a 60 NSL.
If we are all honest (myself included) if you think about driving too fast, although we may be in control and enjoy the thrill, all it takes is the unexpected and things could end in a lot of tears and years of regret. Sorry to sound somber but sometimes, as much as I love the Scoob I think twice and remember that I really need a car for transport and shouldn't use it as a weapon. I'm no old man either (28) but I think my next car will be a good looker that handles well etc but I'll dumb down the power to keep the risks lower. I think that track days are the way to go (finances allowing) but not with the Scoob, it deserves some private forest to be enjoyed not yards of tarmac :-)

mutant_matt

Vate,

I can gaurantee you that Dave would not come round a bend at 90 in an NSL unless he could already see the exit clearly - that's what he's been trying to make people understand, you do the speed for the conditions in an NSL but stick to 30 in a 30, 40 in a 40 and 50 in a 50. In an NSL. IF the road is clear and it's safe to do so, he'll travel at that speed, even if it's way in excess of the limits - but I can also gaurantee you he won't bitch and moan if he gets caught doing this speed either!!!!

If the visibility in an NSL bend is only 20 yards then he'll be traveling at a speed where he can stop in the distance he can see to be clear (damn, you're making me sound like a copper/IAM instructor). He hasn't passed his advanced test, but he would pass if he did as he's extremely safe (not slow by any means) and a very competent and careful driver.

Matt

Dave T-S

Vate

Matt has answered exactly on my behalf.

I thought I had made it obvious, but where we live is hazard city.

We live next to a farm, and pass many others locally that throw all sorts of crap on the road; you also frequently come round a corner and there is a slow moving tractor/farm fork lift etc in the middle of the road.

There are many herds of wild deer locally that cross the road when they feel like it, particularly at night as they are nocturnal.

I am a cyclist.

For many years I was a horse rider. We have two riding stables locally.

Local roads are narrow, unlit, and poorly surfaced.

We are in prime biker country (as Matt knows).

People round here in the sticks like to keep the gene pool within the same family and we get many nutty kids/geriatric old fools/speeders/people that like to take the racing line on a blind bend coming in the opposite direction.

Being acutely aware of all these hazards and more, I am hardly likely to go hurtling round a blind bend at 90

Nimbus

I was taking my daughter for a walk at the weekend in the village where we live. There were a group of young children playing on the pavement and around the parked cars. This is dangerous, I know, but they were young and didn't understand the risks. A 4x4 came up the road doing about 20mph and passed the cars. At that moment two of the children ran out right in front of the car. The driver managed to break it time, but it could have turned out very differently. The drive was aware of the danger, hence their slower speed. 30 limits are there for a reason. And, yes, I do stick to them.

Mmmm, not sure why I'm writing this really. Just trying to illustrate a point. The roads can be dangerous places.

Jen

I agree with Dave T-S et al...it makes perfect sense, after all, a little kiddy doesn't stand a chance against a Scoob.

Just to illustrate - 30's are there for a reason. I work in Transport Policy (the guys that help decide on road layouts etc.) and what ever you may think the speed limits are set for reasons, not just for the hell of it. 30's are set in Urban areas due to the amount of kids/pedestrians/cyclists...if they are in rural areas look out for the primary school or the hidden exit that's turned into an accident blackspot. I do alot of work with accident data and it's enough to make your hair turn white

And before you say it - no I don't want to know about all the "unjust" speedlimits around the country. If you're that bothered write to your county/local council and get a) a reason why it's there or b) it changed.

Btw, I always obey the speedlimits in little red circles, and yes, I do enjoy my scooby...just love the private roads

Jen

bros2

[Edited by bros2 - 7/2/2003 1:11:08 PM]

mrdeli

3 YEARS AGO....

Perfect summer Saturday morning at 9.30 I was traveling into work in a 318Ci Coupe, just about a week after I had ordered my Turbo. I had just turned right and noticed a father and young girl on the pavement....she was 5 years old. As my car passed she literally ran out straight in front of me... there was just no time to do anything other than stamp of the brake and try to avoid. I had ABS, but nethertheless the girl hit the edge of my bonnet, side of the wing and ended up stamped into the tarmac. I had several witnesses that confirmed that it was in no way my fault - and it did not matter how good a driver anyone would like to think they were, the accident was unavoidable. The ambulance came etc... the Police accident unit established that my speed BEFORE braking was 26 mph. Even in the knowledge that I had legally done nothing wrong, and that it was not my fault (the father should have had hold of his childs hand) the sight of a blood stained 5 year old being taken unconcious into an ambulance was horrific. BELEIVE ME no matter how blameless a driver is, everyone blames you. As it turned out, the child was out of hosiptal the next day, with just bumps and bruises, but it taught me a lesson for life....... and sorry to say but 30 means 30, not 39.

Look upon the speeding ticket as a godsend, 3 points and £60 doesn't change your life much, killing someone would.

It made me question the whole thing about fast cars etc... but I'm gald to say I bought my Turbo...and love it. Don't get me wrong none of us are perfect, but I think slow in built up areas is very much the way to go.... and thinking back to that day....what would my life be like now if I had hit the girl at 39?

Not preaching, just saying take the 39 and 3 points in a positive way that may well have saved you getting into much deeper water in the future.

Geezer

What pompous rubbish this is turning out to be!

I've never met Dave-TS, and I'm sure that he is a careful and considerate driver and competent driver, but this sticking to 30 40 50 limits and being able to stop in the distance I can see etc. is non sensical! Why is it so righteous to stick to posted limits in built up areas, but OK to flout NSL just because you can see x distance or whatever? On that reckoning, you should be able to drive at 200mph in a 30 zone as long as conditions permit!

Sticking to 30 in a 30 zone is no good if a 2 yr old leaps out from the pavement when you are 10 ft away from him. You can not allow for all things, but you make the best of it. Bros2 has said the most sensible and honest thing on this thread thus far.

Stick to em all or not at all!

Geezer

Richie1

An attitude change is needed these days as illustrated by Nimbus up there.

Yes, keep to 30 in built up areas etc. I agree with this BUT WTF are the kids etc doing out on the road in a dangerous manner ??

Dont parents teach their kids how to be sensible on a road ?? Sure mistakes can still happen and kids dont fully realise the consequences but if the parents etc took time to TEACH their kids and instill some road sense then it will lower the chances they take.

Parents these days would rather stick their kids in front of the telly/games machine than give them some common sense.



A recent survey by a road safety group concluded that out of the 7500+ accidents last year, only 200 were caused by speed. THe rest were all dangerours/carelss driving or genuine accidents.

Speed doesnt cause accidents, it aggravates the result. Better driving (not necessarily slower) is what's needed.

Nimbus

Richie1,

Exactly. Not an adult/parent in sight. It would have shook them up big time to see their children nearly getting run over. The problem is though that children don't see the danger they are in. So you have to think for them (as much as possible). While I agree that it may sometimes be safe to do 40 in a 30, I would never risk it. I would rather crawl at 30 (or less) when I think I can go quicker, than do 40 (or more) when I should not.

Lewegie

Graham, i thought of your post this morning when coming to work. I work next to a small village and the road that runs around the village has a 30 limit due to the couple of access roads. The problem is that the 30 limit starts so far away from these junctions that almost every one speeds through the limit, something that i observed this morining when following 10+ cars all doing 40 but slowing when approaching the junctions.
It seems there is a lot of slagging off offenders for speeding however some the the limits today are totally rediculous. I am all for 20 limits outside schools etc which i would totally adhere to and areas where cameras would be more acceptable, however i will openly admit that i speed on roads where i feel it safe to do so. Sorry to here you were singled out of a line of traffic, that was harsh.

MRK

These comments about parents providing there kids with common sense and road training is good, as parents don’t seem to give a hoot nowadays. Plus driver training is crap. The test needs to be addressed badly. I thought I was a good driver (typical boy racer attitude) until I took my Advanced test, that was like a gun to the head. It was though I was previously driving around blinkered. The Advanced tuition opened my eyes.

The other day I slowed and entered a village which was narrow with tiny pavements. I was doing 30 in 3rd (the Scoobs easy to control) when I came up on a family with a two small sprogs 5 or 6yrs old, and a pram. The two sprogs were not held by either of the parents, and right on the edge of the pavement. I slowed down to 20, and as the road was clear I moved right over to the otherside of the road. Now the **** behind in his old Mondeo was your typical ‘averager’ he was already gaining on me as he was doing his normal 40mph ‘only’ speed. He did not slow for the kids, or move out, but he proceeded to brush the kerb then sit right on my back side. It was totally clear as to why I had slowed, but oh no [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

These people are just ludicrous, they flash you if you overtake them on a 60, then sit off your bumper in dangerous 30 limit situations. I really wish you could do something about these people.

Police
To make matters worse the Police also do not give to hoots about tailgaters or socially bad driving. The amount of times I’ve cruised along a 30 with some ‘averager’ up my bum while passing a Police car, and even gesturing to the pigs, they just sit there with a dum look on their faces, probably thinking “he’s not speeding, lets go back to reading the paper and letting the criminals go free”.

To all the Police that are on here. How about a national safe driving and education campaign instead of the normal and continual anti-speeding campaign’s. Start issuing fines for tailgating, not indicating at junctions, around roundabouts etc, etc.

Rant mode off.


The sun’s out do I’m off to the park, mmmmm suntan


M


[Edited by MRK - 4/4/2002 12:57:03 PM]

Vate

Dave T-S

Having read many of your posts over the last few months you always came across as a sensible chap and I don't believe you would drive deliberately dangerously. Sorry if any offence caused (wasn't an accusation!)
I was really saying if one encourages people to obey the limits 30/40/50 then you shouldn't then say to travel at 90 in 60 is OK under any conditions that was all. What people should really think about as well as the moral implications of causing an accident even when the road appears clear is that at 90, if a poor driver with weak road sense pulls out on you, it is you who will feel the full weight of the law not he/she. Just something to bear in mind.
Don't get me wrong. I would love to be able to follow the limit all the time but I do not. I stick to them strictly around town etc and even deliberately drive slower if I think necessary but of course I don't own a Scooby so I can do this do I? Out on the lanes I play around too when I know the road. Sometimes I just stop and think after a blast....what if? Can be a bit scary.

Keep safe (maybe see you on the road in Essex too)

Dave T-S

Vate
No problem

And clearly I don't drive round at 90 in 60's all the time!!

Really making the point that for most of our daily drive on relatively empty rural roads we are mostly only doing maybe 50 to 60 in a NSL but there are rare straights where you could go higher where circumstances dictate.

Up here in North Essex we are blessed with some excellent driving roads with very few people, cars or houses around and you can take advantage of that where appropriate.

Bros2 makes a valid point that it seems like hypocrisy on my part. I guess it does in a way but you are more likely to meet hazards in a 30 limit and it makes sense to keep to them - or less if there are kids or whatever around as the point was made earlier.

If I do exceed the NSL it is going to be out in the fields where there are no other cars, visibility is 100%, there are no houses, kids or junctions around etc.

I guess it's all about constantly tailoring your driving to the conditions around you.....

Vate

Exactly m8.
I don't know if I'm a great driver but I do know I'm always aware of what's going on around me when driving all the time.
Be super observant and anticipate and you're def. going to be a safer driver.
Being in south Essex we have some equally excellent back roads and (as I'm sure you know) we could both drive the length of Essex on these back roads (aren't we lucky!)
I think you made a key point about the potential hazards etc and risks in an area which is a 30 limit but the problem is usually that when people go into a NSL area their attention level drops when compared with their driving in a 30/40 etc. That can be a big mistake.
By the way cars look great. Not too OTT.

Dave T-S

Ta - haven't had them long enough to make them OTT yet LOL

Not too much to do actually - PPP, tints, lowering springs, 18's and that's about it.......maybe

mutant_matt

...lip spoilers, roll bars, bushes, drop links, full suspension, miscallaneous other tarty bits......

Matt

Carolyn T-S

So it was you who picked up my shopping list on Thursday lunchtime !