How the Brits deal with extreme speeders

[Doriangray6]

When I lived in Belgium I read about a guy that had been stopped for a first offense DUI and was fined several 1000 dollars and lost his license for a year.
Since his wife also used the car she was allowed to drive it but the plates were tagged with large orange stickers indicating that the car had been involved in some kind of traffic incident which allowed the cops to stop it at anytime to see who was driving.
To prove how incredibly stupid he was the guy drove it one night while he was under suspension, got drunk and cause an accident that injured the other driver.
This time the court fine was 10s of 1000s of dollars and his privilege to drive any motorized vehicle, even a scooter, was permanently revoked.

 

[Doriangray6]

I would agree that anyone driving 140 mph in most situations is beyond stupid and careless. I have driven a fair amount in Germany, Belgium, and Holland years ago when I was over there in the military. First few times were pretty scary, particularly on the German autobahn, where some stretches had no speed limit. I also discovered that my careful and courteous driving was seen as a sign of weakness, and Germans would pass and cut in front of me so close that their tail lights would only be 3 to 5 feet from my headlights when they crossed over into my lane ahead of me-and me driving 80 to 90 mph at that! On a 3 lanes each way highway, driving in the middle lane, we could be going 80-plus mph and have cars and semi's passing us on both sides like we were puttering along at 40.
One of the interesting things I noticed was that while the Belgians seemed to drive about as fast and aggressively as the Germans, they weren't quite as good at it. More wrecks in Belgium.

If you're driving less than 100mph on the open stretches of the Autobahn you're suppose to stay in the slow lane.

 

[Mister Coffee]

The Finns have an extremely demanding driver training regime, requiring time on the skid pan and supervised night driving. Even when you pass your test, your initial license is restricted in certain ways. I believe the restrictions and their duration are affected by how old you are, too. Many have pushed for something similar in the UK in recent years, calling it "graduated licensing", I think. One plan was something like pass your test at 17, fine, but you cannot take more than one passenger under 21 until you have had your license for two years.

Where I grew up, we had 1) Leaner's Permit, 2) Junior License, 3) Full License. With Driver's Ed, you could get Full License at 17 instead of 18.

 

[65-2x2]

From watching a lot of British TV, it is apparent that they have cameras everwhere, including on lonely highways. Speeding gets clocked on the cameras, and you get a summons. In my humble opinion, anyone caught driving 140 on a public highway should be jailed for a few months, at least, and lose their license for years. It is an arrogant and obnoxious disregard for the safety and lives of others, and shows that the are too emotionally immature to drive.

 

[Rustyt1953]

We should send my former countrymen "Signal 30" and "Wheels of Tragedy".

 

[fordson]

Wife and I returned recently from a trip to the UK. We were always concerned that we'd be cited for driving too slow……..

 

[Marshwheeling]

One of my favorite Limeys.

"one of..."? He is The Limey.

 

[LVSteve]

Wife and I returned recently from a trip to the UK. We were always concerned that we'd be cited for driving too slow……..

Quite likely on two-lane A and B roads. Locals "know the road", and Brits typically drive corners nearer the cornering potential of their cars whether they can see or not. It's the only way to get anywhere in a reasonable time in some parts of the country. Passengers that don't like it are free to ask to leave at the next bus stop. Cars sold there are expected to handle and brake well, and nobody bats an eye at getting through tires in 30k miles or less. Brits have three priorities when it comes to tires, cornering grip, traction grip, and braking grip. All other considerations are a long way down the needs list.

 

[biku324]

Stupid driving is common wherever there are people.

 

[Mister Coffee]

Quite likely on two-lane A and B roads. Locals "know the road", and Brits typically drive corners nearer the cornering potential of their cars whether they can see or not.

Here's a completely off-topic comment: The cars are better in Europe, maybe in the UK, too. I mean the cheap-o sub-compacts and bottom of the line stuff. Like a Ford Fiesta for the EU market handles better than a Ford Fiesta for the USDM. I rented a Renault Clio in France and a Fiat 124 sedan in Italy. Both were noticeably better handling cars that their US equivalents.

Okay, you can go back to the topic now.