40mph speed limit for rural roads - proposal

[D-Rider]

It seems that there is a serious proposal to make it easy for local councils to impose 40mph limits on rural roads that currently have a 60mph limit.

Having seen the huge expansion of 50mph limits on road that formerly had a 60 limit - and on the majority of them the 60mph limit was lower than the road itself could safely be driven, I think we can only assume that 40mph limits would be springing up almost everywhere.

Besides the inconvenience and increase in journey times, it is bound to be accompanied by a deluge of associated roadside signage mounted on more metal poles that present additional danger to riders of crashing PTWs and will add to your council tax bills. I dare say they will be painting big white 40 symbols on the road ..... more slippery road paint to help us fall off in the first place - probably, more often than not, helpfully placed on a bend ....

The basis of this proposal seems to be based on an increase in rural road casualties .... but in none of the articles I've seen have they quoted numbers - just that the proportion of rural road casualties has risen as a percentage of those on all roads. I don't know whether the actual numbers have risen (if they have, how much is due to shocking maintenance?) or whether the proportion has just risen due to a fall in numbers on other roads.

Even more concerning is that the roads WE like are those being targeted:

Under the plans, which are open to public consultation, a reduction to 40mph should also be considered where there is "substantial development" or where there are "a considerable number" of horse-riders, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18840110

Here are the actual proposals (not read them yet but will do soon): http://assets.dft.gov.uk/consultations/ ... limits.pdf

The proposal is open for consultation ....... it seems that when we've informed ourselves sufficiently, we do need to make our voice heard otherwise this will go through. We need to spread the word so that many many people respond.
Here's the info in the consultation process: http://assets.dft.gov.uk/consultations/ ... cument.pdf

I can see that we'll have more people crawling along admiring the view or falling asleep at the wheel as the driving task will not be sufficiently involving.
We should also note that people should set their speed based on the conditions rather than the limit - it's not a target. Where it's only appropriate to do 20 or 30, that's what we need to do but to be forced to do no more than 40 in good conditions because a few "townie" drivers are incapable of driving faster when the road and weather conditions are poor is simply bonkers.

What will happen? More normal people breaking the law by larger amounts - being fined and banned despite there being no actual problem.

[D-Rider]

One further thought:
If this proposal were to have the slightest credibility whatsoever, it would need to demonstrate that a statistically significant percentage of casualties were caused by speed (rather than other factors) and not just any speed, but specifically speed in the range of 40 to 60 mph - in other words in the range of speeds they are trying to cap.

Casualties as a result of higher speeds are not relevant - that's more a debate about whether there needs to be enforcement of current limits. Speeds below 40 are not relevant either.

I'm betting the data doesn't exist,

[Kwackerz]

I'm not too bothered. it's in line with what is in place in Germany and it works. They do however have to increase the speed limits on dual carriageways and motorways, thats the important bit to me and the bit that needs forcing.
Ive got the option to use racetracks for trackdays if I really need to speed
Not bothered about statistics, the Germans have had their system in place for years and it works. Thats all i need to know.

[MartDude]

I think it depends on which rural roads might be affected. There are numerous lanes around here on which it would be sheer folly to travel at much more than 30 mph; barely one car's width, blind bends on the other side of which one is likely to encounter a large, slow or stationary, spiky agricultural machine, thick mud shed by said machine, the local hunt crossing the road, pair of vehicles trying to pass each other, etc. etc. However one does from time to time encounter an idiot, usually an impatient new in-comer or a spotty boy-racer, who doesn't appreciate the nature of these roads; they often end up in the hedge or through a gate. So, IMHO, a reduced speed limit here might serve to penalise said idiots.

However, even some of the 'main' roads here can present some of the same hazards - farm machinery, horses, sheep were the road crosses a common - as well as traps to catch the unwary, e.g. the blind bend you're on tightening or changing direction unexpectedly, and nowhere to go to avoid the oncoming milk tanker; every year we have several bike accidents usually resulting from riders being caught out in this way - and sadly one or two fatalities. I'm in two minds about this proposal - for the locals, it would be a real PITA; for 'foreigners', probably a good thing.

[D-Rider]

.... so Education would be a better way forward than an imposition based on the lowest common denominator. Maybe an advisory speed for the less able driver/rider allowing those that can actually handle their machines and those that have local knowledge to travel at a more reasonable pace.

I doubt very much that these limits would be placed only on those stretches of road that no sane rider would travel any faster - and they don't need it as self control would take over.

It's these sort of roads that I have ridden for most of my life - without incident - and where 40 would feel like little more than crawling on hands and knees.

I don't care that much about motorway and dual carriageway limits as I try to avoid them like the plague - too boring and sleep inducing .... I don't want nice roads to become equally boring and sleep inducing.

[Aladinsaneuk]

mixed views

yes, i can see a need but, i object to urban arsehole lawmakers forgetting they live in towns and imposing their views on the rural folk - probably as a new income generation system, rather than as a way of safe guarding health - and yes i am that cynical

i am also concerned on the effect it will have on public transport in rural areas - some of us live in areas that do not have many fast A roads and the local populace rely on buses to get to and from work - the knock on effect could be huge

[blinkey501]

There will be one good thing for the government if this happens....
There will be a lot of revenue from speeding tickets.
I have noticed that since the consevatives came to power the council/Government use a zero tolerence aproach when it comes to speeding/parking fines.

[Samray]

Nothing but revenue raising ... anything else could be dealt with through current legislation.

[Kwackerz]

some of us live in areas that do not have many fast A roads

No, We use the B roads instead..

[fatboy]

Im thinking more along the advisory speed limit with better warning signs to let Mr and Mrs Holidaymaker that meeting a combined harvester on the next bend is REALLY something to expect
Of course the warning signs apply to all users,regardless to your number of wheels ( or hooves )

[HisNibbs]

Bring back the red flag that 'll make the roads much 'safer'. You know the early law the all motorviehcles should be proceeded by a person walking with a red flag. Carry the safety lobby argument to its logical conclusion and that is where you end up.

I don't like people blasting past our house at 70mph but in my view it is inattention that is dangerouse. I need to be going a certain spead on any given road for my brain to engage and pay attention. I've had a few accidents in my time mostly in a car and always through not paying atention, never because of going too fast. Well one exception too fast on the ice an snow cause I was listning to the radio and had forgotten that was what was beneath me.

Those 50mph A roads and now 40mp rural roads are so slow the majority who keep to them will be half a sleep by the time they've gone 20 miles.............................................very safe.

[fatboy]

Hear what you are saying there, if a journey is not engaging then its boring and therefore you are more likely to pay lees attention, one of the many reasons people dont like Mways

[BikerGran]

I'm surprised this has been resurrected - it was mooted some years ago but was squashed.

I agree with what some have said about certain roads whjere it's tantamount to suicide to do more than 40 - but come on, who really believes that it will only be applied to those? It's more likely to be a blanket 40 limit on all that are not A or B roads - which would, at a stroke, eliminate all the best biking roads in Dorset!

[Dalemac]

Brilliant idea. This way they can catch more people for speeding and make more money from fines, rather than finding true criminals like murderers, paedophiles, rapists, thieves, arsonists...etc

[D-Rider]

Brilliant idea. This way they can catch more people for speeding and make more money from fines, rather than finding true criminals like murderers, paedophiles, rapists, thieves, arsonists...etc

..... they might catch the true criminals like murderers, paedophiles, rapists, thieves, arsonists...etc that travel at more than 40mph ......









....... but only for the crime of not going stupidly slow