slowing down - M4

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Tue 10 Dec 2013 08:49
slowing down - M4 - oldroverboy.

Driving down the M4 to and from wales last weekend sticking to the speed limits (with the help of sat nav) and the effect of the speeding awareness course a few months ago

Noticed that very few cars overtaking, those at only marginally faster than me at a sat nav indicated 70mph, None of the days when some lunatic hurtling past at 80+.

Maybe they are still around, but in 4 hours driving each way was a surprise for me.

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Tue 10 Dec 2013 10:05
slowing down - M4 - veryoldbear

It very much depends on the time of day. I've found that between say 10:00 am and 3:00 pm speeds tend to be quite moderate. If you are out at 7:30 in the morning, white van man can be in a hurry to get to work. Round about 6:30 to 7:00 Audi man is in a hurry to get home.

I quite often use M4 Newbury J13 to Reading J12 early evening and there is some incredible speeding going on, mostly Audi, Beemer and big 4x4.

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Tue 10 Dec 2013 11:16
slowing down - M4 - 72 dudes

Agree with both of the above posts.

Time of day is key, but I think that far more non company car (and van) drivers have slowed down in recent years due to the price of fuel.

Not that all or indeed many company car drivers get free fuel, but there is a tendency to drive faster when longevity and servicing costs are a non-issue.

Also, I think that the message that driving at 70 compared to 85 is far more more fuel efficient is finally getting through.

The speeders are still out there though and as vob says, many appear to be the 100+ brigade.

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Tue 10 Dec 2013 13:42
slowing down - M4 - Happy Blue!

I also wonder if Sat Nav with more accurate speed readouts than speedometers assists here.

Previously some people drive at an indicated 65mph and others at 80mph, so giving the impression of excessive speeding. Now everyone has a SatNav then everyone drives at about, so little opportunity to overtake unless doing much more than 80mph.

Just today noticed that an indicated 70mph in a Daihatsu Sirion was a real 65mph. Driving at a real 70mph, very people people overtook me.

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Tue 10 Dec 2013 19:53
slowing down - M4 - drd63

Agree with both of the above posts.

Time of day is key, but I think that far more non company car (and van) drivers have slowed down in recent years due to the price of fuel.

Not that all or indeed many company car drivers get free fuel, but there is a tendency to drive faster when longevity and servicing costs are a non-issue.

Also, I think that the message that driving at 70 compared to 85 is far more more fuel efficient is finally getting through.

The speeders are still out there though and as vob says, many appear to be the 100+ brigade.

I'm not sure I'd agree other than time of day being a slight factor. I drive the M40 on a regular basis and rekon that at 80 you'd be passed by as many as you pass.

When did driving faster become an issue for longevity and servicing costs? I can't believe modern cars will need extra servicing or wear out sooner because you've had the temerity to drive a bit faster on the motorway.

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