Dave the Cardboard Box Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Why are fatal accidents the only ones that count? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Maybe because that is the emphasis of the Government document to justify imposing a speed limit - but In the sixties, there were a total of 900 - 1000 recorded accidents each year - About five years ago, the total number of recorded accidents was down to less than 700. Not sure of the current figures, but I believe they are similar, 700 or so per annum. - but in every respect, despite vehicle numbers quadrupling, accidents have reduced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkey_magic Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Drunk driving has also reduced thanks to legislation introduced in that time, cars are safer thanks to UK laws, and people have to wear seat belts (which will have reduced fatalities). Maybe a speed limit will continue that good work and make the roads even safer. We don't have to settle for what we've got just because it's better than it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cret Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 It's justified in many young minds by the fact that it's legal. Of course there are still going to be people who break a 70mph limit, but fewer than there are now. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I see your point but I think the kind of mentality that says "I want to see just how fast this car will go out on the open road" is the same sort of person that will also be likely to say "and I'm going to try it whether I'm allowed to or not. After all, no-one will know if I break the speed limit and it's not as if I'm doing any harm.....". Just my opinion anyway. I just think that people who drive recklessly & unsafely as a matter of course will continue to do just that even when told they must not do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggle Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Interesting reading from the states http://www.motorists.com/issues/speed/u_turn.html and the slower speed campaign from the UK. Seems they still have a problem. http://www.slower-speeds.org.uk/sk1.htm and proof that our existing traffic laws do infact work http://tinyurl.com/53ann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Declan Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Link 1. - Interstate highways not single lane undulating and bendy A and B roads. Link 2. - If this link is being used as an arguement against a speed limit, the anti camp have lost all reason. Link 3. - Yawn. More car drivers complaining about parking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cret Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 and proof that our existing traffic laws do infact work http://tinyurl.com/53ann <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That's meant to be sarcasm right? I like that site anyway!! I might see if I can get some photo contributions meself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GI James Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Anyone hear Mannin Line the last couple of days? Manx Radio's own boy-racer Stu's been getting verbally mugged by some of the elders in our society. Simple Simon even emailed in to say that Stu had been forced to give his own opinion! Forced? Stu? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R_ReaVeR Posted September 26, 2004 Share Posted September 26, 2004 Interesting piece in today's Sunday Times on the speed issue Sunday Times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilDDog Posted September 26, 2004 Share Posted September 26, 2004 At the moment, in between the official TT race schedule (and throughout the rest of the year) amateur bikers can ride the course without restrictions. from above url. What total rubbish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mission Posted September 26, 2004 Share Posted September 26, 2004 Heh, nothing like accurate journalism is there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Declan Posted September 26, 2004 Share Posted September 26, 2004 112 people were killed and 1,042 seriously injured between 1993 and 2003, and that excludes fatalities during the TT races. Speed was at least a contributory factor in more than 50% of accidents But of course, you lot won't believe that. Hilarious to see Peter Duke's quote, you always know when someone's morally bankrupt argument has been defeated because they start bleating about "Political Correctness". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mission Posted September 26, 2004 Share Posted September 26, 2004 I've not read the article yet (too pissed) but it seems to me that the Times and the Telegraph seem to do a yearly piece slagging the Isle of Man and the TT off. I'll read it sometime during the day and post my thoughts then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC-Drift.com Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 Driving September 26, 2004 Speed limits: Man oh man, there's a speed limit ahead By Emma Smith of the Sunday Times The Isle of Man, last outpost of restriction-free driving, is about to disappoint a lot of speed freaks A rider goes all out in the Isle of Man TT: so far, amateur riders have been able to follow suit As British drivers face the vigilant surveillance of a growing army of speed cameras, the joy of motoring is gradually disappearing over the horizon. There is, however, one place at least where “the freedom of the open road” is still a meaningful expression. It’s a place with no little yellow boxes, a place where speed is cherished and even an MoT is considered too much of an imposition. This shrine to the golden age of motoring is the Isle of Man, but things are about to change. The tiny island, home to the TT (Tourist Trophy) motorcycle races and for years the playground of petrolhead tourists from mainland Britain, is considering the introduction of a mandatory speed limit for the first time. More than a century has gone by since Britain first introduced speed limits but change is one thing that moves slowly on the Isle of Man, where the death penalty was only officially abolished in 1993. Although part of the British Isles, the island has its own parliament and legislative body. Speed restrictions are currently confined to urban areas but the government is now proposing limits of between 30 and 60mph on all roads, with an extended 70mph limit on the famed Mountain Road. The move is part of a string of draft measures designed to improve road safety on an island where annual road traffic fatalities are more than twice that of the UK per head of population. * Click here to find out more! For an island that is proud to call itself “the road racing capital of the world” and draws more than 40,000 tourists to the professionally organised TT race each summer, the issue is — by Manx standards — a political hot potato. First held in 1907, the TT adds an estimated £7m to the Manx economy — it’s said that some 25% of the island’s tourism is driving-related. The celebrated TT mountain circuit is just under 38 miles long, rises to 1,400ft, and is widely regarded as the greatest road-racing circuit in the world. But while the TT race will be unaffected, speed limits would threaten a crucial part of the Isle of Man’s tradition of allowing keen amateurs the chance to follow in the tyre tracks of professional racers without the need to keep one eye on the speedometer. At the moment, in between the official TT race schedule (and throughout the rest of the year) amateur bikers can ride the course without restrictions. “This is one of the last places where drivers and motorcyclists can enjoy driving without limitations,” says Peter Duke, grandson of the six-time TT champion Geoff Duke and leading figure in the campaign against an all-island speed limit. “It’s one of the major attractions for many visitors.” For most motorcycle fanatics the thought of accelerating beyond 80 or even 100mph along the 15-mile-long Mountain Road between Ramsay and Douglas is motoring nirvana. But according to government statistics such high-speed thrills come at a price: 112 people were killed and 1,042 seriously injured between 1993 and 2003, and that excludes fatalities during the TT races. Speed was at least a contributory factor in more than 50% of accidents; even so, recent polls show that 80% of islanders oppose speed limits. John Shimmin, the Manx transport minister, is in favour of the proposed speed limit. “There are far too many people dying on our roads,” he says. “We have people doing mind-numbing speeds and driving on ordinary single-lane country roads at 130mph. It would be negligent if we did not look at speed limits as one of a series of safety measures.” Those opposed to the speed limit believe there are other ways to tackle the problem. “A single speed limit is too simplistic,” says David Cretney, minister for tourism, chairman of the TT co-ordinating committee and long-term motorbike enthusiast. “If we introduce limits, there will still be people who speed. What we need to tackle is dangerous driving. I think we also need to put more effort into training our young people so they are properly in control of their car or motorcycle.” The period of public consultation is now over and Shimmin is currently sifting his way through more than 400 responses to his proposals, which also include introducing MoTs for cars more than 10 years old and reducing the drink-drive limit. The issue will then be put to an open vote in the Tynwald, the island’s parliament, possibly as early as November. If speed limits are approved, they will be introduced on a staged basis during 2005. Shimmin is confident that the restrictions will come into force, while Duke fears the vast majority who oppose speed limits are falling victim to political correctness. “In the modern nanny state it’s not seen as politically correct to oppose speed limits,” he laments. Worse is yet to come though: in the corridors of the Tynwald two dreaded words are already being whispered: “speed” and “camera”. Some valid points though, and when are the conditions ever just right to be tazzin around at 140mph - not even including the mountain road. If you want to ride/drive at those speeds, get an RAC racing licence and join a club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripsaw Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 Nothing to do with the debate, just an observation about the article... For most motorcycle fanatics the thought of accelerating beyond 80 or even 100mph along the 15-mile-long Mountain Road between Ramsay and Douglas is motoring nirvana. But according to government statistics such high-speed thrills come at a price: 112 people were killed and 1,042 seriously injured between 1993 and 2003, and that excludes fatalities during the TT races. Speed was at least a contributory factor in more than 50% of accidents To the less knowledgable (95% of the articles readers?), that paragraph would imply that all of the accidents indicated occured on the Mountain Road. The truth and nothing but the truth, but it isn't the whole truth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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