Why do people speed on the motorway?

Question

i understand it is 70 max on the motorway but it seems its the norm for people to do at least 80 why?

and also is there not many speed cameras on the motorway?

Answer 1

With people travelling at different speeds it's a good job!! I was once travelling back to Wales from Plymouth, i had been on the Motorway apx 3 hours everything running smoothly. Then a marked Police car joined the Motorway it caused complete chaos!! Everything slowed to 70, no one dare overtake the Police and the traffic coming up from the rear wondered why no one would move over to let them through!!

It's important we all have our individual speeds within that is a relative closeness to the 70 mark!!

Answer 2

They have less chance of being caught on the motorway compared to urban roads, also the width or the road some how makes them feel it is safe to do so.

Answer 3

they speed there as they are less likely to be caught.

It does not feel fast on the motorway as it would on a single carrigeway road.

The motorway is a safer place to speed as kids are less likely to run out in front of you and all the traffic is going it the same direction

Answer 4

Because the maximum safe speed depends on the road, the car, the traffic and the weather conditions.  UK motorways are built to high standards, originally for high speed but also for inept and half-asleep drivers, so on most days 80-100 mph is perfectly safe.  Driving at 70 on an empty motorway is just as stupid as driving at 30 past an infant school.

Answer 5

70 miles per hour is usually the norm. There are average speed checks on some motorways, ie; M25 at certain times of the day.

If you are travelling a long distance and need to use the motorway then 70mph is too slow to overtake at times. Also when there is a lot of traffic I'm afraid you 'have to go with the flow' unless you want to do about 50mph in the slow lane in which case, whats the point in being on the motorway?

80mph is a more realistic speed in good conditions when the way is clear. I've done this speed before and had police (no sirens) overtake me. If you are a responsible and careful driver then 80mph is fine.

Driving slowly is irresponsible, causes frustrations and potential hazards, as does driving too fast and carelessly in bad conditions.

There, I've said my bit!

Answer 6

coz its easy to speed on the motorway espesh when most people do it. naughty but...even me

Answer 7

I'm not sure about speed cameras, probably a few.

People like to speed on motorways because they have a thrill and want to go really fast because they know it's a motorway. They think that it wont harm anything if they go a bit faster than the limit, after all, it is only a motorway.

=S

But it isn't really.

Answer 8

I know its absolute madness,everybody seems to be in such a hurry.Often in some cases they are company cars and delivery trucks e.t.c. I think a lot of these people are put under a lot of pressure by the various company's that they work for just to get the job done and it is so dangerous for other road users.It is so so wrong.

Answer 9

I recently drove at a speed of 58 to 65 MPH 200 miles on a motorway mainly to see if it could be done. My fuel consumption was very low, but I became so bored ( I did take breaks) that in retrospect  I think I was more dangerous to other users than if I had travelled at 80/90 mph

Answer 10

just been reading through these answers. interesting.

i'll point out adam d.

"The "danger" of doing 90-95 keps you alert. Doing 70 is dull dull dull."

but if the speed limit was raised to 90/95, in time that would seem 'dull dull dull', and people would be going even faster. Not really a good solution.

Answer 11

Yeah, why do people speed on the motorway and why do they just motor along on the speedway?

Answer 12

Because 70 mph is really quite slow i always sit just under 100mph usually around 90 - 95 that way they cant give me an instant ban if i get caught!

They brought those speed limits in years ago when cars wernt built like they are today, the brakes wernt as good nor were the tyres or handling so i think they should raise the limit to 90mph for sure!

Answer 13

This annoys me too.  I was travelling on a motorway yesterday, and we were doing 70 overtaking someone.

Some D**k of a driver was right up behind us flashing their lights telling us to move over!!!

SO we annoyed them further by slowing.

Answer 14

Because most people are sick and tired of living life to the full in the slow lane. So they get on the motorway and live life to the full in the fast lane.

Hope that helps. If you don't like the concept then carry on the boring slow lane.

Kiss Kiss

Answer 15

Because people think the rules do not apply to them, then get upset when they get a ticket.

Answer 16

Blokes speed because they have a small p***s. They have nothing else to offer society so they drive like tw*ts. For the women who speed they must be ugly and haven't had a shag ever. Speeding is the only way they get attention.

Answer 17

Because there is not a high chance of gettin pulled over if going 10 miles or less over the speed limit, so why not.

Answer 18

Dunno. Ive often wondered this.

Also people seem to like to undertake.

People are stupid thats why.

Bye

Answer 19

maybe you just drive to god d**n slow ! have you ever thought of that jerkoff !

Answer 20

because they can

why do some people drive so slow

Answer 21

The "danger" of doing 90-95 keps you alert. Doing 70 is dull dull dull.

Answer 22

Because they won't (or have little chance) of getting caught.

Sometimes, it is better to speed, say if you're overtaking a long vehicle.  The quicker you can complete the manoeuvre, the safer it is, as you are not exposed to danger for as much time.

Answer 23

I encourage speeding on any type of road.  The more money the government collect in fines helps keep me in my old age, so keep it up!.

Answer 24

we speed because we can

Answer 25

70 m.p.h. is the correct limit on UK motorways.

To other comments to this question it is illegal in this country to undertake.

The speed limits on our roads were introduced as cars became easier to buy and the roads became busier.  Car performance in terms of safety and braking is much improved on the older style of vehicle and I believe this gives drivers a false sense of security and therefore people drive without much thought.  This can also be seen where a driver continues at about 40 m.p.h. whether they have passed through a 30 m.p.h., 50 m.p.h. or de-controlled sign.  People pass their driving test but few continue with any other training to keep their skills high - we are after all driving a lethal weapon.  As to speed camera on the motorway - the M25 has quite a few but I know what you mean.  I believe speed cameras are ineffectual and cause traffic waves.  A driver will race passed you - brake hard for the camera - and then speed off again.  The really useful speed camera which I have seen on the M4 road works is a timed camera which clocks the driver in, in the middle and then at the end which gives an overall time and distance.  No cheating on this one!