Ian E

iTrader: (1)

From the Motorcycle News Website:-

Speed limits are being raised in Italy to improve road safety.

Italian transport minister Pietro Lunardi believes higher speeds will improve the traffic flow, and encourage motorists to pay attention. The change will affect three-lane motorways, with the limit raising to 150km/h (93mph), from January 1, 2004. Lunardi went on to say that psychologists and doctors say people who go faster drive better and are more careful, and that only 9 per cent of fatal accidents were caused by speeding.

The decision has been praised by the Assocation of British Drivers. ABD spokesman Nigel Humphries was " ecstatic. It seems common sense is percolating through the road safety establishment in Italy. " He feels a similar speed would be sensible for UK motorways, where " no-one would be stopped for less than 100mph. "

Edcase

Hear hear. The motoring laws here are archaic, and are from an age when cars had drum brakes on the front!!!! Take the scoob for example...optimum cruising speed is around 4k revs, which is a ton.

Cars have evolved and so should speed limits and motoring laws.

SiDHEaD

Shame our government have their heads up their ***** and a) wont notice this cos they are too busy trying to take over rights to oil and b) wouldn't give a sh*t cos it can't earn them extra money.


Andy

Jen

lol! How much would I *love* to see this happen?!

We're currently in the process of trying to raise a 30mph limit to a 40mph limit...we've already spent double the amount of time on it we usually spend on Traffic Regulation Orders and are causing massive concerns amoung Councillors already - you wonder why nothing get's done?! We'd be ok if the politicans actually *listened* to the people they pay to be proffessionals [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

Shark

In our dreams

Caronte

Yes , but there is a small note to add. The limit will be increased where conditions set by the new law will be met: 3 carriage way with hard shoulder and a ddetailled report from civil engineers on other parameters..

Basically about 100 miles in whole Italy are suitable..

Andrea

SiDHEaD

3 lane carriageway with hard shoulder.. where have i seen one of those?? Oh yes, i travel on one every day and even when empty am meant to do 70 and daydream cos its safer than burning along and keeping alert..


Andy

Katana

Liar. I can barely get 80 mph on that.

ianmiller999

quote:
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optimum cruising speed is around 4k revs, which is a ton.
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Liar. I can barely get 80 mph on that.

Which Model do you both own?

Edcase

LOL. short(gear) ****.

I own an MY01 WRX

Chris.Palmer

If the government was really concerned with road safety then they'd actually invest in the road structure. I wonder how much is made from road tax & how much is re-invested in the roads - what do you think the percentage is?

I live in Northants & drive on many stretches of road that are poorly designed & in all honesty dangerous purely as they are not up-to-date for modern requirements - or worse than that - are new roads built on the cheap to poor design & concept from day 1.

The A14 is a very good example of the latter, a relatively new major trunk road connecting the M1 to the A1 - obviously carrying heavy traffic.

I'm led to believe that before this road was built Traffic & Safety Experts recommended a motorway design (three lanes & good slip roads etc).

However due to cost constraints - what did we get - a dual carriageway with dangerous U-turn points - T-junctions without slip roads & poor lighting. [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

All-in-all a modern road built without concern for the motorist or road safety - Need I say more

Surprisingly the A14 (a new road) is now recognised as one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the country.

So what has been done to resolve this terrible situation:
Well be reassured in Northants several Truvelo speed cameras have been installed on this dangerous section of road to reduce the number of deaths.

Unfortunately - 2/3 of these expensive cameras have been installed in locations that do not meet the current legislation & regulations - so although installed & operative they cannot be used!

Additionally, as they have been placed under bridges & on blind corners - I regularly witness surprised drivers slamming on their brakes & IMHO this is an even more dangerous state of affairs.

So - to cut a long story short - in Northants - despite the massive investment in speed cameras - the number of people killed on our county roads has actually increased - additionally the number of other (less important crimes) burglaries etc has also risen. I rest my case !!!!! [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]


[Edited by Chris.Palmer - 2/11/2003 11:13:50 PM]

Katana

Oi! I'm 5'7"!!!

BMWhere?

I gave up on this argument about 6 years ago and moved to a country that has no speed limit on (most) of its motorways

velohead66

Totally 100% agree with what Chris.Palmer has just said.

Poor road design & half baked funding just compound the problem.

andrewdelvard

Great for Italy. Never happen here :sigh;

TopBanana

Nothing's going to happen unless the press get behind it. I can't see the Daily Mail campaigning for an increase in limits though

Katana

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[Edited by Katana - 2/11/2003 9:45:29 PM]