In the event that this will be your first time to enjoy the delights of the Great British motorway, this may enlighten you or at least forewarn. The speed limit on the motor way, defined by the presence of a central reservation, is 70 mph unless otherwise stated. To exceed this limit is a criminal offence and you will be liable for a fine of at least £60 and some sort of endorsement on your previously unblemished license. Now this may come as a surprise to you but when you have reached 70mph you will probably think that you are stationary or at least just rolling along. If you drive at 70 mph you will certainly be in the minority.The reason for this will be evident in the peripheral vision of your right eye. As you carefully observe the limit there will be a constant flow of vehicles flashing by to your right in the outside lane probably exceeding 80 –95 mph. This flow of speeding traffic will be unremitting and consists of the like of your Mercedes BMW, Lexus and lesser, the drivers of which perceive that as they drive an expensive motor then that surely gives them the divine right to drive as damn fast as they like.Then there are vehicles such open back trucks complete with a load of wheelbarrows and scaffolding that cheerfully steam along the outside lane without a care in the world. Even more surprising are the small city cars usually driven by young females who appear to think that the best place for the throttle pedal is flat to the floor. Never mind the screaming engine gasping for breath, that will be drowned out by the CD player turned up to brain meltdown. Then we have the now notorious ‘white van man’ these will be company vehicles which will be driven at a breakneck velocity no matter whether its motorway or country back lane. The drivers are usually on their mobiles,eating lunch or just generally oblivious of all around. Of course all this mayhem to your right must not take your attention from the slower articulated lorries etc to your left. Especially those drivers that decide to overtake another lorry thus blocking the middle lane for what seems eternity. This overtaking speed often amounts to no more than .0001 mph thus as the outside lane is often solid with mach 3 drivers you could be treated to the back end of a trailer for 10 –15 mins. A special mention to beware off British male drivers wearing baseball hats, the older the be-hatted driver the more cavalier the driving style as they try to regain their lost youth. Young inexperienced drivers and a percentage of high powered motorbikes are pretty run of the mill. Police speed enforcement is sporadic if at all. The police vehicle could well be unmarked, should you decide to cast your fate to the wind and join the 80 –95 brigade you could just be the rare unlucky one. Do I sound bitter…damn right I am, three years ago the image of my 1.4 Ford was captured on camera at 33mph in a 30 zone. 45 years with a clean license gone forever. I sit at 70mph on the motorway reconciled to the constant stream of speeding vehicles flashing by. Not once have I had the pleasure or satisfaction of seeing just one ‘speeder’ pulled over. Personally I think 75-80mph would be an OK limit on the big open roads but its unlikely to happen.
So when you are carefully driving your rental car to the permitted limit and spot another driver doing the same….it will probably be me enjoy!!.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: TourMama,
John An amusing perspective (even if you didn't find any amusement in the points and fine at the time).
Some other tidbits for people new to UK motorways: - Blue is always used to indicate a motorway on maps and as you see signs approaching one. - Learner drivers are not allowed on motorways - The theory is, you always drive in the left-hand most lane. e.g. moving into the centre lane to overtake people in the left lane, into the right hand lane to overtake anyone in the centre lane. Failing to adhere to this lane discipline is in theory a traffic violation. However when traffic is built up and slow moving, undertaking is allowed. - In practice... well let's just say that the M25 inside lane users' club disbanded for lack of members. - Many slip roads off motorways end in roundabouts. Getting in the correct lane (usually of two) as you exit the motorway is vital to negotiating the somewhat busy roundabouts. - Continental European drivers will enjoy the sparcity of toll roads. Until they see the petrol prices and the quality of the motorway service stations... - Turn the stereo up on the M1 - cruddy road surface - and narrow with it.
- In practice... well let's just say that the M25 inside lane users' club disbanded for lack of members.
So true!
About speed enforcement: there is a relatively new method of speed restriction through the eternal roadworks on motorways. This is an 'average speed' check - there are cameras, usually yellow, on temporary gantrys above the road and another set at the end (with interim sets as well). These read number plates and calculate the minimum time it should take between the points ie it is no good belting along at 80mph through and then braking just before the camera and for a short while after, as tends to happen with normal speed cameras.
These special sets start way, way before the actual road work: there is a particularly long one on the M3( just past the M25 junction) at the moment, and you can see lots of tailgating as some frustrated motorists wonder why everyone else is actually keeping to the restricted speed of 50 mph. The reason is they actually do work - there was one near us at the beginning of the M3 for months and months, restricting to 30 mph and I know of several people who got caught, fined and given penalty points on their licence.
Posts: 1400 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 20 September 2006
spaghetti junction (I was born and raised near here)
So was I! It opened shortly after I passed my driving test, and I remember driving my grandmother up to see it. Nothing very elaborate in terms of US freeway interchanges, but to us Brits in the early 70s it was definitely something special!
Jonathan
Posts: 3394 | Location: Stroud, UK | Registered: 18 November 2001
Two more warnings about lorries (Trucks) on UK motorways:
i) When they embark on their epic overtaking of another truck they will usually pull out rapidly (simultaneously starting to indicate) even though they have been planning it for 10 minutes.
ii) more serious now. There are a growing number of 'continental' ltruck based on british motiorways., These are left hand drive. They have an enormous blind spot -- just where you are when starting to overtake them and for the duration of you overtaking them. Be warned.
When I was 'bounced' several times by such a truck the police said it happens all the time.
Originally posted by Panda: About speed enforcement: there is a relatively new method of speed restriction...
I've driven a V8 Jaguar since 2002 and for years loved to plug in my radar detector and enjoy this magnificent motorcar to the fullest.
Last year I decided to "go green" and start driving within the speed limit religiously. I've been strictly legal for over a year now, and feel particularly proud of myself, almost smug about it, every time I get behind the wheel. I recommend this green philosophy to others, if for no other reason than to stop worrying about "getting caught". It's wonderful!
I'm a speeder, but I will not speed today.
I'm a speeder, but I will not speed today.
One day at a time...
________________ When life gives you lemons, make limoncello.
I didnt mention the disturbing predisposition that lorry drivers have to see how close they can drive to the backside of the the lorry infront (or other vehicles come to that) Tail-gating is an offence but that is no hinderence to the cavaliers behind the wheel. I try to fathom out why they employ this dangerous occupation at speed. Perhaps its some sort of herding instinct or maybe the guy in front has forgotten his sandwiches and a tap on the rear will jog his memory. Ah yes, as we sanctimonious careful law abiding drivers diligently wend our way along the motorway, be assured that all those around you are probably completly bonkers !!
Hi John.. I experienced one of those 'rareities' on the long drive home from Scotland early this month. When all you can see in your rear view mirror is the bottom half of a shiny grill belonging to the beast behind you (inside lane)..its a little uncomfortable to say the least. All this at 60mph...oh joy!
The trucks are on schedules. Partly the hour limits if they even care about those. Partly it's making the schedule on time to avoid getting in trouble. The companies don't care if the schedules are impossible.
I could never drive in the UK. The moment I had to make an emergency move I'd head right just like I have my whole life. Unless I needed to pass when I'd head left
Off topic, but Ian Sutton's reference to the Birmingham interchange reminded me of a very similar one near where I grew up in East Hartford, Ct. Nicknamed the "Mix Master," it took almost ten years to complete this interchange between Hartford (West of the Connecticut River) and East Hartford (to the East).
Posts: 738 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: 12 September 2006
There's a version of the Magic Roundabout at the Hatton Cross exit from Heathrow (the best way if you are heading for the M3 for the southwest)- we came through it last night and I often fear for those clutching onto the wheels of their rental cars faced with the decision about which way to go. It's really not very clear for those unused to it.
Posts: 1400 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 20 September 2006
Im contemplating driving up to Scotland again from the south coast in June. Learning from last years experiences with hi-octane, witless drivers Im wondering whether it would be prudent to leave my modest car at home and rent a Challenger armoured Tank mk2. Of course it would have to have guns mounted front and rear and a little offside window through which I could cheerfully demonstrate the 'finger'as I made my way rejoicing up the M6.
J.
