meic wrote:I turn right plenty of times when I am walking and it never hurt anybody.
The speeding may not be the proven cause of an accident but it increases the harm done, which is actually a good enough reason on its own to restrict it.
The limits can not be totally enforced but it would be easy enough to get the majority to obey them. As can be shown around any existing cameras. That effect could easily be duplicated over 90% or more of the roads.
The majority do obey them - or nearly obey them. Generally they are disobeyed when it is safe to do so.
Speeding often occurs on roads from which non motorists are excluded - motorways, or on roads where cyclists are few (most of them outside urban areas). the urban areas tend to be congested to the point where movement isn't possible, let alone speeding.
Whats percieved to be speeding by a slower user may not be in excess of the limit anyway.
Things do appear to be moving faster when your virtually standing still. 20mph on a dual carriageway still leaves a 50mph speed difference on the car legally overtaking you. Will still feel as tho they are speeding tho!
quote meic:
"The speeding may not be the proven cause of an accident but it increases the harm done, which is actually a good enough reason on its own to restrict it."
Not in law. According to law (sec 122 of the road traffic regulation act) the highways authority must secure the expeditious, secure and safe movement of vehicular and other traffic (including pedestrians) and provide adequate parking.
Before introducing a speed limit it ha to be shown that it is needed and any loss of expediency for any traffic must be balanced up against the arguments for reducing the speed limit.
Theoretically it could be shown that the best way to meet this duty on a particualr stretch of road would be (instead of reducing speed limit) to seperate motor traffic from cycle/pedestrian by prohibiting cyclists pedestrians from the road and making themhave shared use of the pavement. The dft guidelines of less than 17mph can be met by imposing a 15mph speed limit on cyclists. This is possible with the law we have.
Actually it could be beneficial by allowing the motorists speed limit to be safely increased in the absence of other users.
