Are you competent to drive at 80mph on the motorway?

[Steve Walker]

Former Formula 1 driver and supercar hire club founder Damon Hill has come out against the government proposal to increase the motorway speed limit to 80mph in good conditions on motorways with variable speed limits installed. He says he is a fan of the American 55mph limit, and that most people aren't safe to drive above that speed.

 

I've seen a few people agreeing with him, that other people are too rubbish at driving to cope with sometimes being allowed to do 80, but not many people admitting to it themselves.

[Sportsman]

On French motorways there are two speed limits, one for good weather and a lower one for rain. The French driver seem able to grasp this.

BTW I would say that overall, UK drivers are far better than the French in almost all aspects.

[les middy]

Former Formula 1 driver and supercar hire club founder Damon Hill has come out against the government proposal to increase the motorway speed limit to 80mph in good conditions on motorways with variable speed limits installed. He says he is a fan of the American 55mph limit, and that most people aren't safe to drive above that speed.

 

I've seen a few people agreeing with him, that other people are too rubbish at driving to cope with sometimes being allowed to do 80, but not many people admitting to it themselves.

 

He's talking a load of shite

 

I have and do on a regular basis with one eye watching for the

[ayjay]

In all walks of life, some people are more competent at some things than other people, I couldn't get around a track as fast as an F1 driver, but I'd back myself against my mother-in-law, or most of the wrinklies driving around my local area.

[corydoras]

On French motorways there are two speed limits, one for good weather and a lower one for rain. The French driver seem able to grasp this.

BTW I would say that overall, UK drivers are far better than the French in almost all aspects.

I was going to say same. Speed limit on France is 130kph and 110kph when it is actually raining. French motorway driving is abysmal.

[Emma two]

Former Formula 1 driver and supercar hire club founder Damon Hill has come out against the government proposal to increase the motorway speed limit to 80mph in good conditions on motorways with variable speed limits installed. He says he is a fan of the American 55mph limit, and that most people aren't safe to drive above that speed.

 

I've seen a few people agreeing with him, that other people are too rubbish at driving to cope with sometimes being allowed to do 80, but not many people admitting to it themselves.

 

 

I don't like speed, it frightens me. I sometimes think that those who drive too fast and dangerously (yes, I know that they are not always the same thing). And I hold a heavy goods license was was qualified after being taught to drive at emergency speed under blue lights (Fire Service). Perhaps it is the witnessing of the results of RTAs that keeps me cautious.

 

I don't claim to be a good driver, just one to tries to be safe. I can't drive long distances anymore I tire too easily, and not on motorways at all.

 

The benefit of upping the limit to 80 would be that people wouldn't be law breakers for driving over 70, the problem with that is when people break any law on a reguler basis then it undemines all laws. It wouldn't bother me if the limit was 55, provided that was properly enforced.

[barry luxton]

The benefit of upping the limit to 80 would be that people wouldn't be law breakers for driving over 70, the problem with that is when people break any law on a reguler basis then it undemines all laws. It wouldn't bother me if the limit was 55, provided that was properly enforced.

just like illegal drugs.

 

lots of rubbish middle lane drivers on our motorways.

Edited July 5, 2012 by barry luxton

[Andrew]

Just another point of law to break, make it a ton, and drivers with cars capable of topping that will do it. Human nature to break laws, innit bruv.

A young chap i know was stopped on the motorway doing 101mph, he took an on the spot fine the police officer offered him because a court appearance would mean an automatic ban, the officer asked him if he needed the car for work, which the young lad said yes to.

 

I know that for a fact because i was a passenger in the car.

 

PS

 

It was no other than the bloody armed response unit. that stopped him.

 

So in that respect, my argument would be as i stated above.

Edited July 5, 2012 by Andrew

[Emma two]

just like illegal drugs.

 

 

Precisely, thats another good reason to legalise, thank you for pointing that out as an example.

[Phone]

All,

 

I am much to old and incompetent to even be driving. I pay my taxes out of the middle of the road.

 

Seriously, during my working years 80% of my employees were truck drivers. 90% of my capital investment was in rolling stock. I went through 70mph - down to 55mph. 55mph is safer - and way cheaper (we are now back up to 70mph on most limited access "interstates"). Personally, I have logged probably well in excess of 2 or 3 million miles. More boring for many who are prepared but then how many accidents "are the other guys fault" or the older guys fault? I am no where near as good now as I was when I was younger. You want me to drive 80mph just trying to stay out of the way? NO WAY do you want that! NO, you're not getting my license either.

 

Question, what are you allowed over? The "normal" tolorance(sp) is 7mph - i.e. that would make the speed limit 87mph in America.

 

Phone