Safe Speed Forums

A quote from Gloucester CC Safety Camera Partnership webpages.

'Speed limits are not decided on an ad hoc basis. Ongoing and detailed analysis is scrutinised when a limit is set. This takes into account factors such as the nature and number of previous accidents, any hidden hazards and the behaviour of other road users. It is impossible for any driver to make a judgement about any road that is more sound than the speed limit set.'

The last sentence is a bute.

We are all mental midgets and should bow at the feet of our wiser beaurorats.

And if the is 'ongoing and detailed analysis' how come speed limits don't go up on roads where there are no collisions?

I suppose the logic befits a body funded by the fines accumulated through its activities, otherwise known as a conflict of interest.

Hm.

I guess it's ok to travel at 60 on a NSL B-road during rush hour in freezing fog, then. There I was thinking that it might be a good idea to slow down...

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Earth rotation is caused by penguins running around the south pole.

I disagree to the to the highest order with this arrogant propaganda.

The reason why most road users aren't wrapped around lamp posts at the moment or confined within a pine box, is they are able to make sound decisions about the speed they travel at.

Does that also apply to the numerous speed limit reductions that local police have objected to, I wonder...

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

Truly priceless!

I'd love to know what "Ongoing and detailed analysis" went into the 40 limit through Branthwaite village in Cumbria! Never dared peak at more than about 20 through it myself under ideal conditions - but I guess I'm just a wimp! Must make a mental note to try harder as the risks have already been comprehensively assessed by someone who knows a lot more about it than me!

Then there's the NSL single track road that runs past my house. There is a blind "S" bend with high hedges on each side and it's only wide enough for one car. I can't tell you all how relieved I am to know that I'll be safe round there as long as I don't exceed 60! - well, in my Transit camper van anyway. I mean, obviously, if it was a Transit VAN instead of a camper van then the "competent" authorities have deemed that 50 would be a more appropriate speed than 60, because it's a goods vehicle!

Oh you couldn't make it up if you tried!

The A592 between Bowness and Newby Bridge now has a 50 limit with the exception of Storrs Hall where a 40 limit is in place, with a 25 Advisory for the bend by their entrance.

I came back from Barrow tonight, and to be honest for much of the road, it was prety hairy driving at 50 - especially in the bends near Town End. It also shocked the people trying to cross the road by the Beech Hill Hotel.
I was glad to reach the 30 limit along Bowness Prom, so i could relax a bit.

I am sure many inexperienced drivers struggle to maintain 50 along most of the road!

The manager of the Storrs Hall tells me he was setting up a marquee on the lawn for a wedding, when a car drove down the drive at 40, before skidding across the lawn, narrowly avoiding the wedding tent, AND going into the lake.
Apparently the removal of a single tree would enable the bend to be lessened - but it has a preservation order on it! Until then, cars driving down the Hotel driveway instead of the road will be common place.

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Time to take responsibility for our actions.. and don't be afraid of speaking out!

Do the police really object new speed limit reduction, such as those featured on your website? If so, how common place is this? Do the councils ever ignore the police?

I've certainly heard of a few examples. For example, a few years back, Cheshire Police objected to Warrington's plan to reduce the A57 Sankey Way from NSL (70) to 40 mph, saying 50 would be more appropriate for the character of the road.

Also, when Oxfordshire CC introduced a large number of "village" 30 limits in South Oxfordshire, Thames Valley Police objected to about 9 out of 30-odd proposals.

In each case the police were ignored.

Of course it's unlikely the police will be very enthusiastic about enforcing a limit to which they have objected, but the ordinary driver isn't to know that.

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

And there's still the significant possibility of wild and wacky partnership enforcement.

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

I'm quite astounded by this, if the councils should listen to anyone it should be the police. What chance have the rest of us got when objecting if they cast aside the expert views of the police. Is anyone else sickened by this abuse of power?

DfT is 'at it' as well:
http://www.abd.org.uk/pr/498.htm
and
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SafeSpeedPR/message/199

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

Absolutely.

There are also examples (e.g. the A5013 at Creswell near Stafford) where the councillors decided to cut the limit against the advice of their professional highways officers.

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

It is scary beyond belief.

YET another example of the "don't do as we do, do as we say" attitude that seems at afflict all road policy these days.

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Simon

They certainly do. It happened when the limits were reduced on the A140 in Suffolk. Despite numerous objections from numerous individuals, parish councils and the Police the morons from the council still reduced the limits.