What is an acceptable speed on a public road?

[MarkH]

I personally would love to see some roads with higher limits, but I doubt the 100km/h limit will change any time soon, even on the dual carriage highways.

The speed limit is set for safe driving by the worst drivers in the worst conditions. If a road is busy for an hour or 2 a couple of times every weekday then it gets a limit suitable for those busy times, that limit applies 24/7.

[Toaster]

Following the latter part of that logic means the speed limit on the Auckland motorway is..... 10kmh?

[MarkH]

Following the latter part of that logic means the speed limit on the Auckland motorway is..... 10kmh?

Don't say that! If they hear that idea it will probably become the new limit.

[Horney1]

BS - Going slow increases your risk of falling asleep and being too late to react to a "situation". The faster you go, the more aware you are, the more your on edge you are, the faster you will react, the more feel you have for the road (no not that feel), traction, control mechanisms etc ( & I'm not implying that one must ride everywhere on 10 10ths or even 7 10ths) . Speed does not kill nearly as much as idiots. I'd be happy cruising at 200 and max'ing at the max but it's illegal. Speed does depend on situation, bike, traffic (including group rides & relative abilities/ experience), mood, weather, health & filth but it does not mean that posted speed limits a the safest speed you can go. Sometimes slower than the posted limit is safer by far, generally faster or much faster is just as safe. People and the law are fixated on a numbers, I would rather ride at my speed and ban speedos (the ones that tell you the speed, not the weather .

I was going to read the whole thread before posting, but by the time I got to #48 I couldn't help myself...

[red mermaid]

The reports I have read from Dr Phillipa Gander, probably the best expert in the world on fatigue, would dispute this.

BS - Going slow increases your risk of falling asleep and being too late to react to a "situation". The faster you go, the more aware you are, the more your on edge you are, the faster you will react, the more feel you have for the road (no not that feel), traction, control mechanisms etc ( & I'm not implying that one must ride everywhere on 10 10ths or even 7 10ths) . Speed does not kill nearly as much as idiots. I'd be happy cruising at 200 and max'ing at the max but it's illegal. Speed does depend on situation, bike, traffic (including group rides & relative abilities/ experience), mood, weather, health & filth but it does not mean that posted speed limits a the safest speed you can go. Sometimes slower than the posted limit is safer by far, generally faster or much faster is just as safe. People and the law are fixated on a numbers, I would rather ride at my speed and ban speedos (the ones that tell you the speed, not the weather .

I was going to read the whole thread before posting, but by the time I got to #48 I couldn't help myself...

[shrub]

BS - Going slow increases your risk of falling asleep and being too late to react to a "situation". The faster you go, the more aware you are, the more your on edge you are, the faster you will react, the more feel you have for the road (no not that feel), traction, control mechanisms etc ( & I'm not implying that one must ride everywhere on 10 10ths or even 7 10ths) . Speed does not kill nearly as much as idiots. I'd be happy cruising at 200 and max'ing at the max but it's illegal. Speed does depend on situation, bike, traffic (including group rides & relative abilities/ experience), mood, weather, health & filth but it does not mean that posted speed limits a the safest speed you can go. Sometimes slower than the posted limit is safer by far, generally faster or much faster is just as safe. People and the law are fixated on a numbers, I would rather ride at my speed and ban speedos (the ones that tell you the speed, not the weather .

I was going to read the whole thread before posting, but by the time I got to #48 I couldn't help myself...

You're right. I agree that the open road speed is often mind numbingly dull and easy to zone out - another reason driver inattention is a leading cause of accidents, but there is definitely such a thing as too fast. My rule is "Can I stop or take evasive action in the road i can see?", and if I can't; then I slow down. Dragging knees through corners is all good, but you can't do a lot about shingle, potholes or sheep in campervans on the wrong side of the road at that speed.

This sound silly, but I find posted speeds on corners a hindrance because my subconcious tells me that this corner has a correct speed, and asks if I am doing it, whereas an unposted corner I read the corner and set my speed on what I see, not a sign. if that makes sense.

[shrub]

The reports I have read from Dr Phillipa Gander, probably the best expert in the world on fatigue, would dispute this.

I don't think he's talking about actually falling asleep. That is caused by a lot of factors, and speed has little if any impact on tiredness - personally I see a tired driver as being as much a risk as a drunk driver. I believe Horney is talking about zoning out, something that is very easy to do on smooth roads at 100 kmh.

The speed limit is rigorously policed because speed is easy to measure and speed limits are easy to enforce. Why do your noble colleagues not police poor driving skills or inattention? Because it's too hard, that's why.

[T.W.R]

but I find posted speeds on corners a hindrance because my subconcious tells me that this corner has a correct speed.

Posted speeds on corners are suggested safe cornering speeds....not an enforcable speed limit. They're designed to accomodate all road users & varying types of vehicles

I don't think he's talking about actually falling asleep.

Falling asleep is the final stage of fatigue.....there's plenty of more hazardous stages prior to that

[road king]

up to 5 km/h over the posted limit is the 'acceptable' speed

about 95% of the time i ride at 90-104km/h

if im on a group ride, i will match the pace of the group unless on a main hi-way, then its back to 90-104km/h

[scumdog]

BS - Going slow increases your risk of falling asleep and being too late to react to a "situation". The faster you go, the more aware you are, the more your on edge you are, the faster you will react, the more feel you have for the road (no not that feel), traction, control mechanisms etc .

...and best of all with the faster speed?- the more exciting it is when you plough into a hitherto unseen object on the road!

[The Pastor]

...and best of all with the faster speed?- the more exciting it is when you plough into a hitherto unseen object on the road!

redline to the dealine, don't you know?

[The Pastor]

...and best of all with the faster speed?- the more exciting it is when you plough into a hitherto unseen object on the road!

redline to the dealine, don't you know?

[peasea]

...and best of all with the faster speed?- the more exciting it is when you plough into a hitherto unseen object on the road!

Such as this???

[Love my Bonnie]

I need to change my vote coz Mr plod told me yesterday that 127ks is not the answer to "What is an acceptable speed on a public road?"

[Ixion]

...and best of all with the faster speed?- the more exciting it is when you plough into a hitherto unseen object on the road!

As opposed to plowing into said unseen object (why unseen?) at a mere 100kph, which as we all know is totally safe. . Nobody has ever been injured coming off at 100kph, right?