Cable Forum - View Single Post - 80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%'

Osem · 28-12-2011, 12:32

....and therein lies the problem. A proportion of people drive as fast/aggressively as they can get away with and justify their actions on the basis that they're safe drivers - it's only other people who're a risk. Even when the inevitable happens and they're involved in an accident, many will blame the other drivers, conveniently overlooking that driving safely is about making allowances for the unexpected by, for example slowing down, keeping a safe distance etc. in order to mitigate the effects of what in itself might be a minor error of judgement by someone but which could, nonetheless, cause carnage.

A motorcyclist and self confessed serial speeder once asked me with some indignance, 'how on earth can I intimidate the driver of a 2 ton lump of metal?' He just didn't seem to be able to appreciate that seeing someone hurtling towards you in your rear view mirror and/or being overtaken/undertaken at high speed is in the least bit worrying, intimidating or possibly even mistake inducing. Frankly it's that sort of attitude and tunnel vision which accounts for many of the deaths we see on our roads amongst both drivers and bikers.

28-12-2011, 12:32	#49
Osem Inactive Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Right here! Posts: 22,315	Re: 80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%' ....and therein lies the problem. A proportion of people drive as fast/aggressively as they can get away with and justify their actions on the basis that they're safe drivers - it's only other people who're a risk. Even when the inevitable happens and they're involved in an accident, many will blame the other drivers, conveniently overlooking that driving safely is about making allowances for the unexpected by, for example slowing down, keeping a safe distance etc. in order to mitigate the effects of what in itself might be a minor error of judgement by someone but which could, nonetheless, cause carnage. A motorcyclist and self confessed serial speeder once asked me with some indignance, 'how on earth can I intimidate the driver of a 2 ton lump of metal?' He just didn't seem to be able to appreciate that seeing someone hurtling towards you in your rear view mirror and/or being overtaken/undertaken at high speed is in the least bit worrying, intimidating or possibly even mistake inducing. Frankly it's that sort of attitude and tunnel vision which accounts for many of the deaths we see on our roads amongst both drivers and bikers.