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[BazaJT]

ah,I get you now.I should've used a higher gear whilst being in 1st Maybe I should've reversed[as the lowest gear]down the street and avoided using the brakes altogether?

[Nick W]

What gear do you pick on an auto while running downhill?

I don't. It does. Back off the throttle, and it will be fine.


Here's a little test for you all: the next time you use a motorway, limit your use of the brakes to the exit slip-road. It isn't difficult to achieve that whilst still travelling at the prevailing traffic speed.


Most of the 20mph limits around here are past schools, or similar establishments, on residential roads, and are consequently hard to argue with. As are most 30mph limits in my opinion. I think the 'problem' is that 40 and 50mph limits are poorly considered, and inconsistently applied. And there should be no need for them to vary several times in a couple of miles: pick one(doesn't matter which) and stick with it.


I think raising the motorway limit to 90mph is overdue, but it should be variable, just like long stretches of the M25 have been for years. But traffic flow is what we need to be aiming for: a rush-hour motorway with four full lanes of traffic moving at 45mph is working. What we should be doing is improving the on and off slip-roads, and the junctions they lead to so that they have as little affect on the rest of the traffic as possible. Much of this could be done at little cost with the intelligent application of altered road markings. Unfortunately, all this is contrary to current traffic policy, which is slow it down and split it up.

[Terbs]

It does work Nick, this variable speed thing at peak hours....but not always !!!!! Have you been around Heathrow in the peak hours. Its the lane changers who cause problems. For some reason, they think 60mph in the third lane is faster than 60mph in the 2nd or 4th lane, albeit all traffic is flowing at the same speed. Until, that is, when numpty changes lane, and on go the brakelights, and a knock on effect behind, then slowing everything down, till way back, when you have to queue!!!!!

[Kevin Wood]

Here's a little test for you all: the next time you use a motorway, limit your use of the brakes to the exit slip-road. It isn't difficult to achieve that whilst still travelling at the prevailing traffic speed.

Easy in the Westfield. Lift off at the bottom of the slip road and it'll have stalled before you get to the roundabout at the top.

[Sir Tigger KC]

I was on the M4 eastbound going past Newport in the variable speed limit zone the other evening.  The traffic was light and the limit was 50mph.

Then as I approached the Brynglas Tunnels, the limit changed to 30mph and then quickly again to 20mph.  Everyone slammed on their brakes, not wanting to get caught by the cameras and how an accident didn't happen I don't know!   

Then going through the tunnels most of us were doing 20mph, but there were a few clever dicks who decided that the limit didn't apply to them and were weaving in and out of the traffic.   

Coming out of the tunnel the gantry sign had the 2 outside lanes closed, so everyone moved over, but there was no accident or workmen and a bit further on the limit upped to 50mph and then 60mph to the end of the variable speed limit zone. 

What the hell?    Faulty system?  Operator pressed the wrong buttons?

[Bigron]

Revenue generation.

Ron.

[Mister Rog]

I was on the M4 eastbound going past Newport in the variable speed limit zone the other evening.  The traffic was light and the limit was 50mph.

Then as I approached the Brynglas Tunnels, the limit changed to 30mph and then quickly again to 20mph.  Everyone slammed on their brakes, not wanting to get caught by the cameras and how an accident didn't happen I don't know!   

Then going through the tunnels most of us were doing 20mph, but there were a few clever dicks who decided that the limit didn't apply to them and were weaving in and out of the traffic.   

Coming out of the tunnel the gantry sign had the 2 outside lanes closed, so everyone moved over, but there was no accident or workmen and a bit further on the limit upped to 50mph and then 60mph to the end of the variable speed limit zone. 

What the hell?    Faulty system?  Operator pressed the wrong buttons?

This is very possibly the basis upon which they are very seriously considering spending billions on a bypass to the tunnel.