Why speed _limits_ suck

Well, my previous post about speed cameras has also crossed over to a discussion of speed limits.

So -

Why speed limits suck:

* The motorways in the UK are some of the safest roads in the country, indeed even in Europe. The average speed tends towards 80/90 mph, somewhat above the posted speed limit.

* There is no arbitrary transition between safe as opposed to dangerous. At an absolute level, 5mph is safer than 30. However, when you're on a road where traffic is travelling at 60 miles an hour (regardless of posted limit) then being notably slower is _you_ causing a hazard to other drivers.

* The national speed restrictions in this country were introduced due to fuel consumption. Nothing to do with safety. Vehicle and material technology has improved greatly over the last 50 years, such that a new car at 90 is safer than a 50 year old car at 60.

* Safe driving is awareness of hazards, and objects around you. Velocity of vehicle is a primary causitive factor in 6% of accidents, and a 'secondary' factor in 7.3% (DoT report), information found http://www.speed-trap.co.uk/Facts&Figures/Facts&Figures_Home.htm
The greater ones being failure to judge other person's vector, and carelessness/thoughtlessness/recklessness.
One can argue that exceeding a posted limit counts as recklessness, but I remain unconvinced.

So how about we simply remove the national speed limit, and maybe ditch quite a few of the higher speed dual carriageway restrictions, and apply prosecutions under the basis of 'dangerous/careless driving' instead.

Focus

Sometimes, you just need to stop for a bit and regain your focus.
There's stuff that matters, and stuff that doesn't. Life's all about learning the difference.

Well, I've been losing sight of that again recently. All work and no play make Ed a dull boy, don'tcha know. Didn't think I was bothered by stress much, but clearly I have been. Thankfully, I had an opportunity yesterday to stop, step back, and notice.

So much stuff just doesn't matter, so I'm not going to let it weigh on me. There's other stuff that does, and I think I shall be focussing on that a little more.

That's better. Mentality adjusted, focus regained.

Pub tonight I think. 'spect it may be the beer engine, unless someone's a better plan.

Gowan, you know it makes sense.

Edit: Taxi shall be leavin' my place at about 18:45. It's liable to have room for 5, and there's only 2 passengers to boot. So if you feel like a shorter walk, let me know :)