Middle lane

[AdamW]

Limiting all cars to the same speed might solve some problems, but I fear it would bring in new ones.

When ABS was becoming more popular on mainstream cars, ABS-equipped cars involved in a disproportionate number of rear-end shunts. The reason being, many people bought a car with ABS and stopped worrying about stopping distances. They weren't paying enough attention, perhaps they didn't take into account the weather. An example of a safety device that increased accident numbers.

If you limit everyone to say, 60mph, what happens in that oh-so-common scenario: You are driving down a country lane, someone in front of you is enjoying a drive, taking in the scenery at 40-50mph. That's not a problem, but you need to get somewhere and you won't get there driving at 40mph. So you wait for a nice clear straight. You pull out and floor it, but the guy in front sees this in his mirror and turns straight from mild-mannered scenery-admirer to traffic-cop-vigilante-man. So he puts his foot down. At the moment, it is seldom a problem because they usually give up by 70-80mph. But what if you end up on the wrong side of the road, at 60mph, unable to overtake because this idiot has decided you shall not pass. Despite it being the logical solution, it is seldom safe to brake and pull back in because the car behind has sped up too, thinking "Great, the dawdler is driving at a decent speed at last!"

Of course, if everyone had to drive at the same speed (as in you MUST drive at 50 on this particular road, not 40, not 60) then we would all get everywhere a lot quicker and they could reduce traffic jams no doubt.

 

[AdamW]

Th vehicle tends to run 'down' a camber, so will always be straightened up automatically

This was a problem that used to be encountered by fitting large alloy wheels to a small car, known as "tracking". The wheels would tend to follow the road, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it would make the steering wheel shake in your hands.

New cars must have this worked out though, they seem to come with larger wheels every year. I believe the new VXR-branded Astra will have optional 19" factory-fit wheels! And you can get 16" wheels on Corsa-sized cars as standard.

 

[mildmanneredjanitor]

straight from mild-mannered scenery-admirer...

Oi! Steady what ya saying there chap!!!

This was a problem that used to be encountered by fitting large alloy wheels to a small car, known as "tracking". The wheels would tend to follow the road, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it would make the steering wheel shake in your hands.

"Tram-Lining" I think it's called Adam, torque steer is a good one too! Keeps you alert though! I've got both safety devices fitted!

Not as bad as my ex's mini with a bent trailing arm that used to "crab" at about 15 degs though!!! Quite fun considering is was a bodged 1275 install! Now that was exiting driving!!!

 

[david and julie]

I must admit I hadn't considered a 2 lane motorway until reading planenut's link.

I should imagine the highways agency, or whoever else is responsible for building a 2 lane motorway near the NEC, would agree to anything which takes the flack off them.

I can't believe the way some road schemes are designed, they are out of date before they are finished. Every motorway should be minimum, dual 4 lanes at build, to allow for repairs. You should never have to cross the centre divide and drive towards the opposite traffic separated by plastic cones!

I once read that politicians prefer to do a little bit in many different places(on roads that is not blundergit!), so it looks as if they are doing a lot.

 

[AdamW]

"Tram-Lining" I think it's called Adam, torque steer is a good one too! Keeps you alert though! I've got both safety devices fitted!

You are right! I was trying to remember the correct terminology, I kept on thinking "tracking" but thought "but wouldn't people confuse that with steering set-up?"

Torque steer is great fun, I get it in my car, makes the car feel quicker somehow. Possibly a psychological thing of wrestling with the steering wheel makes it feel fast.

Ford Puma's get around torque steer by having the diff mounted centrally. But seeing as the only way a man can legally drive a Ford Puma is to borrow it off his wife, as a bachelor I have never had the opportunity to drive one. I did sit in one once, they are tiny things on the inside!

 

[AdamW]

You should never have to cross the centre divide and drive towards the opposite traffic separated by plastic cones!

I was wondering, usually when there is a contraflow, the works are pretty major. So would it be worth their while to errect some sort of temporary crash-barriers that are anchored down into the road surface? Would increase cost and manpower requirements, but if it saves lives then surely it is worth it.

But you are right, building roads for future requirements would work well. Imagine if the M25 had been built with 5 lanes each way, at the outset? Including the Dartford Tunnel.

Greens would say it encourages people to drive if the roads are empty and the roads will still fill up anyway, but I can't see that big queues of cars with their engines on is more ecological than the same number of cars using less petrol...

 

[pipme]

Limiting all cars to the same speed might solve some problems, but I fear it would bring in new ones.

When ABS was becoming more popular on mainstream cars, ABS-equipped cars involved in a disproportionate number of rear-end shunts. The reason being, many people bought a car with ABS and stopped worrying about stopping distances. They weren't paying enough attention, perhaps they didn't take into account the weather. An example of a safety device that increased accident numbers.

If you limit everyone to say, 60mph, what happens in that oh-so-common scenario: You are driving down a country lane, someone in front of you is enjoying a drive, taking in the scenery at 40-50mph. That's not a problem, but you need to get somewhere and you won't get there driving at 40mph. So you wait for a nice clear straight. You pull out and floor it, but the guy in front sees this in his mirror and turns straight from mild-mannered scenery-admirer to traffic-cop-vigilante-man. So he puts his foot down. At the moment, it is seldom a problem because they usually give up by 70-80mph. But what if you end up on the wrong side of the road, at 60mph, unable to overtake because this idiot has decided you shall not pass. Despite it being the logical solution, it is seldom safe to brake and pull back in because the car behind has sped up too, thinking "Great, the dawdler is driving at a decent speed at last!"

Of course, if everyone had to drive at the same speed (as in you MUST drive at 50 on this particular road, not 40, not 60) then we would all get everywhere a lot quicker and they could reduce traffic jams no doubt.

I reckon ABS is a fantastic development, as I am sure everyone does ... I still try not to invoke it, by braking as I always have done (as recommended in H/Code) ... It does happen tho', unseen fluid on road, rubbish surface, unforseen emergency stop, ice etc ... Good to practice skills with that kind of feed back.. if I do not feel the ABS cutting in, then I feel I am truly braking correctly given the conditions ..( if not followed by sickening crunch of course!!)
If one drives a low speed farm vehicle or a loaded van on country roads, the desire to overtake recedes .. and sensibly is put on the back-burner .. This, although not exciting is the safe route .. if governed, then one would certainly not be taking so many chances on for example something leaping out of the hedge, close on your right side - a cow - a pesky deer- badger - bearded walker - child chasing ball ! etc I firmly believe we would get used to it and the benifits it would bring ... we only rush and race now because we can do so - take that away .. and motoring becomes the serious a to b function it should be today - fun on the rally course or racetrack - road is serious - other people die when we play

On the other hand --- Steering - 6in rims, tiny steering wheel, limited slip dif and Cooper S - one had to take command - great fun - but so many fewer cars on the road back then and we had several miles of a friend's hardcore and gravelled farm tracks and another's dad managed the forestry industry....... nearby-- with loadsa tracks to let rip on, faantastic daze !!! ... Guess I got it all out of the system then !!
P