Why is it that no thought is given to real world driving whenever speed limits are implemented? I'm talking about the proposed 20mph limit the government wants to implement in its policy of continuous regression.
Why 20mph? how do you do that, then? Stay in second and use almost as much fuel as a '68 Charger or chug along in third and budget for a new DPF every few weeks? Why not 25mph? While we're at it, why not have 35mph, 45mph and 55mph (35 being a sensible urban speed that doesn't make you feel like you're standing still) and 55 instead of 50 will be better for fuel economy and the environment.
Just a thought...
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You're right there. Every time we go to South Africa the standard 60 kph limit feels just right in town. 50 kph (as in New Zealand) is unnaturally slow, and although I've no stats to prove it I'm sure that sensble linits are less often broken.
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With speed limits being in 10s it's easy for a limit sign to register in the brain. All you need to do is spot the first digit.
Also, if speed limits were in 5s then speedometers would need 5 mph graduations. That would make speedometer scales very cluttered, and the reading would take much more effort to register.
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With speed limits being in 10s it's easy for a limit sign to register in the brain. All you need to do is spot the first digit.
And they're probably much easier for dyslexic drivers to decipher.
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Also it depends on the gearing of the car, CC... mine doesn't chug in 3rd at 20mph, its nice and smooth...
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They seem to manage 5MPH increments in America,too sensible an idea for here though.
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In some parts of Canada and the US, where they have different Day and Night limits, the Day limit ends in 0 and the Night in 5. The Day sign is black on white and the Night white on black, and the reflectivity is arranged so the appropriate number is more visible.
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speed limits are in 10's so its easier for illegal immigrants and chavs to read
Edited by diddy1234 on 03/05/2009 at 10:25
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No! Please not 5mph increments!!
We have enough of them already, just imagaine if they were allowed to have twice as many variants!!!!!
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I was just musing on the dyslexia point made a bit further up the thread.
".....but Officer...it clearly says 52 mph on that sign ! "
;-)
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If you feel strongly enough about it, then petition the Prime Minister online and/or write to your MP etc.
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Not much point really, L'escargot. The lower speed limits will increase fuel consumption and bring in more money for the treasury. That's why sensible and realistic speed limits will never happen. Nor will turning left on a red light, just sit there like a donkey and waste fuel. The environment? Ha ha
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Why should driving more slowly increase fuel consumption, even if we accept the assumption that it means using 2nd gear? Consumption isn't determined by engine speed alone, and at such low speeds the difference is minimal. If you have to use more than a tiny throttle opening (or equivalent) to maintain 20 mph in 2nd, I think there's something wrong with your car.
Engines use more fuel in urban driving not because of using lower gears but because drivers roar away from the lights, get up to 30, then slam on the brakes for the next red light. A little more smoothness and anticipation and you'll be amazed how far a car will go with hardly a touch on the accelerator. That's what really saves fuel.
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aerodynamics below 30mph don't really apply so some people may notice that fuel economy actually goes up (likes of people with people carriers may notice this)
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My car just dosn't like 20mph, I do 20mph in 2nd and I rev at 3000rpm, change into 3rd it does 1400rpm but pinks :(.
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