Speed awareness

[BENT_8]

So with all this talk of speed enforcement and the notion of having to gaze at your speedo every 5 seconds to avoid a fine, I thought i'd put up a poll to see how prevalent this is.

So tell us, do you find it easy to maintain a legal speed without 'speedo gazing'

Please be honest about this, and I would hope as many people will contribute to finally put this to bed.

To clear up any concerns, let 'Gazing' represent the need to continually check your speedo to the point of distracting you.

People always say they cant concentrate on driving safely as they are in constant fear of speed cameras and must therefore 'gaze' at their speedo's to the point of distraction.

[lucas2]

I find myself always checking my speedo, especially here in Victoria they have speed cameras hidden on parked cars and that small lapse in concentration can get you pinged at 3km/hr over the limit.

I think most people would check their speed almost subconsciously, like a habit, similar to constantly checking your mirrors.

[Alan D Segal]

I propose that the OP changes it to 'glancing', rather than gazing. You don't need to stare at your speedo when a half-second glance should be enough.

[Streets]

I find it easy to keep it at or under 60 without looking at the gauge every few seconds. However once you get to highway speeds it gets a bit harder to "feel" your speed. 80 and 90 feel very similar, as do 100 and 110. It doesn't help that the speed limit switches between these two pairs of numbers often (eg you are doing 90 and the speed limit drops back to 80 for a while).

[EVLKNEVL]

It's not that we can't do it, we just don't think it's absolutely the safest way to drive.

Personally I think the government could easily avoid all these speed camera criticisms by removing all speeding fines and adjusting the points system accordingly.

[WPR1]

Honestly around the blurbs there would be a window of around 10km/h. You might look down and your doing 50 next time you look you are doing 60.

On the freeways I always use cruise control as there is more chance for variation.

Unfortunately the authorities always say speed kills, what they should be saying and concentrating on is inappropriate speed kills.

[paule11]

Not going in this poll not enough choice I find speedos inaccurate and use gps and cruise control on the highway too easy to speed without cruise control

[Ducati888]

Generally I use the cruise control everywhere, and I mean everywhere. When I'm on the motorbike I glance at the speedo a fair bit because a 1mm movement of the throttle can be 10kph or more.

Perspective of speed comes with experience I believe, but in the car you can't hear the engine to gauge from. On the bike I can, and I generally know how fast I am going by what gear I'm in and the engine noise. You also get perspective from the other cars on the road, as well as fixed things like trees etc..

I road race motorbikes, and up until recently never ran a speedo. I had no idea how fast I was going on the track because there is no reference point like trees, fence posts etc. This year I have a new bike with a speedo integrated so I can't remove it. I was suprised to see that I hit 274 at the braking marker in to turn 1 at Phillip Island, and carried in excess of 150 around turn 2. It feels slow.

Some things you don't need to know.

[mik]

it depends on what road your on, if you are on densely populated roads that speeds up and slow down constantly you have no choice but to keep glancing at the speedo, and cruise is not always an option, welcome to melb north.

[Chopped]

I check my speedo every now and then. I also car perve and lady perve whilst driving.

[flappist]

This is a very biased poll.

The first choice has nothing to do with the second choice unless it is to imply that only reason that a speed on a sign would be exceeded is that the driver's abilities were inferior to those of one who never exceeds the number on a sign regardless of what dangers, interference and inconveniences he causes to other road users.

[BENT_8]

I have edited my OP to include this, I hope it clears up any confusion.

Originally Posted by BENT_8

To clear up any concerns, let 'Gazing' represent the need to continually check your speedo to the point of distracting you.

People always say they cant concentrate on driving safely as they are in constant fear of speed cameras and must therefore 'gaze' at their speedo's to the point of distraction.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by flappist

This is a very biased poll.

The first choice has nothing to do with the second choice unless it is to imply that only reason that a speed on a sign would be exceeded is that the driver's abilities were inferior to those of one who never exceeds the number on a sign regardless of what dangers, interference and inconveniences he causes to other road users.

Its ok, its not compulsory, and 5 people have understood it so far.

Its not rocket science, Answer yes, if the constant need to check your speedo is impeding your ability to drive, or no, if you can maintain a safe speed whist maintaining concentration on the road ahead.

This is the first poll I have posted, so please excuse any shortcomings in my wording, im sure you get my angle.

[pottery beige]

rev limiter 1st.. bit of skiddy into 2nd.. tap brakes.. hit the cruise set...

what's so hard about that....

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

rev limiter 1st.. bit of skiddy into 2nd.. tap brakes.. hit the cruise set...

what's so hard about that....

In ya shed too

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by DJM83

In ya shed too

lols how some can't work out how I pulled a static on the spot in a manual.....

[jpblue1000]

Originally Posted by Ducati888

Perspective of speed comes with experience I believe, but in the car you can't hear the engine to gauge from. On the bike I can, and I generally know how fast I am going by what gear I'm in and the engine noise. You also get perspective from the other cars on the road, as well as fixed things like trees etc..

This is exactly how I do it, only times Ive been caught speeding was in other peoples cars where the sounds, and sensations were different and I don't habitually check speedo every second.

JP

[mungdungas]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

So with all this talk of speed enforcement and the notion of having to gaze at your speedo every 5 seconds to avoid a fine, I thought i'd put up a poll to see how prevalent this is.

So tell us, do you find it easy to maintain a legal speed without 'speedo gazing'

Please be honest about this, and I would hope as many people will contribute to finally put this to bed.

To clear up any concerns, let 'Gazing' represent the need to continually check your speedo to the point of distracting you.

People always say they cant concentrate on driving safely as they are in constant fear of speed cameras and must therefore 'gaze' at their speedo's to the point of distraction.

im a truck driver & i find this idea a sort of red herring in as much as a diligent driver will be speedo gazing {most likely**but the the vast majority of drivers are`nt diligent & spend most of their time{out on the hwy at least** gazing at their phones texting.They either dont care or dont realise that a truck driver can see right into their car,but as a professional driver i dont need to see them using their phone i only need watch them drift in & out of their lanes or watch them speed up & slow down to know they are on their phone.The idea that speed alone kills is ridiculous & if you either ignore or discount all the other relevant circumstances then the goal of really impacting the road toll is flawed from the start.

So whats the answer?....obviously hiding in the bushes & harassing motorist is very profitable but does little to change the culture of poor inattentive drivers & in fact probably increases the number of suspended/uninsured drivers on the road.The first step in making a real difference on the road toll is to remove the addiction the government has on revenue.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by mungdungas

im a truck driver & i find this idea a sort of red herring in as much as a diligent driver will be speedo gazing {most likely**but the the vast majority of drivers are`nt diligent & spend most of their time{out on the hwy at least** gazing at their phones texting.They either dont care or dont realise that a truck driver can see right into their car,but as a professional driver i dont need to see them using their phone i only need watch them drift in & out of their lanes or watch them speed up & slow down to know they are on their phone.The idea that speed alone kills is ridiculous & if you either ignore or discount all the other relevant circumstances then the goal of really impacting the road toll is flawed from the start.

So whats the answer?....obviously hiding in the bushes & harassing motorist is very profitable but does little to change the culture of poor inattentive drivers & in fact probably increases the number of suspended/uninsured drivers on the road.The first step in making a real difference on the road toll is to remove the addiction the government has on revenue.

Im confused, as a truck driver do you continually take your eyes off the road to maintain a legal speed or not?
And if you are forced to take your eyes off the road to maintain legal speed, how many accidents has it caused you?

Personally, I may check my speedo once a minute and it is a quick glance and straight back to the road ahead, including anything in my peripheral range of vision (hazard awareness).
Usually I will chose a moment when the likelihood of an incident is minimal ie. straight stretches, clear visibility, braking distance in relation to road speed/conditions etc.

[blackf6]

[QUOTE=BENT_8;4784018]Im confused, as a truck driver do you continually take your eyes off the road to maintain a legal speed or not?
And if you are forced to take your eyes off the road to maintain legal speed, how many accidents has it caused you?
Most trucks are speed limited.So you just put your foot flat to the floor and keep it there until the speed limit drops back.

[TheGTCoupe]

strange.. but the only time i'm not speedo gazing is when i plant it

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by teak81

Most trucks are speed limited.So you just put your foot flat to the floor and keep it there until the speed limit drops back.

What, limited to 25, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100

Mine wasn't.

[mungdungas]

like teak81 says my truck is speed limited so out on the hwy it isnt a problem as much as coming in towns/roadworks etc but i do find the lack of a cruise control in my bronco causes me to speedo gaze.My point is though that while speedo gazing is a problem & may cause a severe raping of my wallet the far more dangerous habit of using a phone while driveing goes largely unchecked along with using driving lights in good weather & not dipping your headlights for oncoming traffic,none of which can be policed while hiding up exit ramps or behind bushes.I wont even mention the fines for log book infringments for mispelling a word or drawing a line a fraction past the margin.
From my perspective there are alot of "habits" of all drivers that need addressing by far the gouging thats taking place out on the roads by the government is the biggest of all.A debate on one aspect of it all seems pointless.I agree with you that speedo gazing is a problem i just dont think its the most important,everynight i see both cars & trucks leave the road into the bushes & my guess its from phones & fatigue more than anything else.

[GQ_Smooth]

Light go green, I accelerate to or just above the limit, set the cruise control to the speed limit. Reset cruise control as required, only time I look at the speedo is after accelerating form the lights before I set the cruise control if I entered a new speed zone.

Cruise is one gadget I cannot do without. Haven't been done for speed for 5 years now (was previously a perennial offender.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by mungdungas

like teak81 says my truck is speed limited so out on the hwy it isnt a problem as much as coming in towns/roadworks etc but i do find the lack of a cruise control in my bronco causes me to speedo gaze.My point is though that while speedo gazing is a problem & may cause a severe raping of my wallet the far more dangerous habit of using a phone while driveing goes largely unchecked along with using driving lights in good weather & not dipping your headlights for oncoming traffic,none of which can be policed while hiding up exit ramps or behind bushes.I wont even mention the fines for log book infringments for mispelling a word or drawing a line a fraction past the margin.
From my perspective there are alot of "habits" of all drivers that need addressing by far the gouging thats taking place out on the roads by the government is the biggest of all.A debate on one aspect of it all seems pointless.I agree with you that speedo gazing is a problem i just dont think its the most important,everynight i see both cars & trucks leave the road into the bushes & my guess its from phones & fatigue more than anything else.

Whilst I agree with your sentiments about other distaractions, they have no place in this thread and are only confusing the subject which is being polled.
The thread on salad sandwiches would be a better place for your thoughts on that matter.

Well things are tightening up now, its a little scary to think that almost 50% of road users would be distracted by their speedo's.

For some reason I cant see who voted for what, perhaps a mod can fix that as most polls allow you to see who's voted for what...mods, please.

[mungdungas]

under your name when you post appears the statement "an unbiased opinion"
it should read "my opinion is the only one i value"
i wont bite at your all encompassing "wit" on salad sandwiches either as i bet what goes in your mouth is beyond my scope of knowledge!

the idea of a forum is that people get to express their opinions & thoughts,i didnt post to get into a battle of wits with a 3yrld so have at it my friend its all yours

[GhiaEB]

In my local area on roads I know I can judge my speed, but when I go back to my home state (vic), I'm constantly looking at the speedo. Most of the time I'm in a borrowed car on roads that have cameras hidden everywhere. Last thing I want when I get home from holidays is a speeding fine for going a few Kays over the limit.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by mungdungas

under your name when you post appears the statement "an unbiased opinion"
it should read "my opinion is the only one i value"
i wont bite at your all encompassing "wit" on salad sandwiches either as i bet what goes in your mouth is beyond my scope of knowledge!

the idea of a forum is that people get to express their opinions & thoughts,i didnt post to get into a battle of wits with a 3yrld so have at it my friend its all yours

Please, if you have any other issues, PM me.

I was not using any 'wit' the thread about salad sandwiches is about distractions whilst driving, which is why I referred you to it as your post would suit that thread better.

My apologies if you took it as a personal attack, it was not, nor am I a 3yr old, ok.

[comagutsa]

im forever looking at speedo when im not using cruse control and it sucks
but on my bike its pain in the but as the slightest wrist movement makes a huge difference ,,you are trying to look out for cars etc but you are forever looking at the bloody speedo causing you to take eyes off road all the time

[bangm001]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

rev limiter 1st.. bit of skiddy into 2nd.. tap brakes.. hit the cruise set...

what's so hard about that....

BAHAHA! Yep!