Suitable speeds
What are Suitable Speeds?
Controlling a suitable speed
The way in which you control your speed is as important as the speed at which you decide to drive. If you are going down a hill and your vehicle is creeping above the speed limit it is no defence to say to the instructor, "but it's not my fault. I've taken my foot right off the gas pedal!". Your instructor will remind you that there is a brake pedal available to you for just such a circumstance.
Suitable speeds
Suitable Speed - A definition of Suitable Speed
A suitable speed is not necessarily the speed limit. The speed limit is a maximum, not a target, and often not a suitable speed at all!
A suitable speed is not necessarily the speed limit, though of course it is important that you do not exceed it. A suitable speed is one that is appropriate for the road conditions and traffic circumstances as you find them.
Suitable Speeds example: - You are travelling along a wide straight road with a forty mile per hour speed limit and there are no obstructions. In this situation the speed limit of forty miles per hour is a suitable speed.
Imagine the same road with stationary vehicles dotted along either side and an articulated lorry travelling in the oposite direction. Whooa! As suitable speeds go forty miles per hour doe snot now seem very suitable at all for this situation.
Suitable Speeds example: - You are in a thirty mile per hour speed limit area. The road is quite narrow and has parked vehicles along both sides. You are having to be careful about spotting possible places to pull up in case of meet situations. What is a suitable speed?
What is a suitable speed for this road? Not thirty miles per hour for a start. Pedestrians may easily move out between stationary vehicles, especially children. You would probably only be travelling at ten to fifteen miles per hour along such a road.
Suitable speeds are important for road safety. Never be tempted to drive a a speed which you consider to be other than suitable. Speed limits are often not suitable for the roads that they control.
A suitable Speed is a speed which is suitable for the circumstances that you can see ahead of you.
You MUST always be able to stop within the distance that you can see to be safe!
Suitable Speed
Suitable Speeds - Factors in deciding a Suitable Speed
Suitable Speeds - Road conditions
Suitable speed is affected by weather conditions which alter the effectiveness of the car tyres in gripping the road. Ice, snow and rain all affect the road surface to one extent or another and therefore our suitable speed. Even if a road is clear of traffic the speed limit is not appropriate if the surface is slippery. Reduce speed as appropriate.
A speed that may be suitable on a dry day is not a suitable speed on a wet day. That same speed is even less suitable on an icy morning. Be very careful about suitable speeds!
Suitable Speeds - Traffic conditions
If you are in a 30 mph limit and there are parked vehicles on either side then you should impose upon yourself a reduced speed limit of 20 mph or less. The reduced limit makes it easier for you to react to meet situations or pedestrians and safer for the other road users too.
Outside of schools at busy times is also a good place to voluntarily take it easy with the speed. You have no idea outside when someone is going to move inadvertently into your path. Fortunately, this does not happen very often but we have to look out for it.
If you are not happy with the driving standards of the person ahead due to them weaving or breaking for no apparent reason then it is perfectly acceptable to slow down and increase the distance between you.
Remember: - Safer equals less stressful.
