"When breaking the limit has, by the standards of a sensible assessor, has no significant safety impact, I don't get upset about it." ---But going faster ALWAYS has a significant safety impact. Just 10mph faster can multiply the chances of injury by a significant factor! Your statement is a bit like saying 'if firing a gun straight at someones face has no safety impact, i'm fine with it'. Fair enough, but the fact is it ALWAYS has an impact on safety.
"I am not concerned about legality (the arbitrary nature or the limits makes such concerns spurious) BUT I am bothered about SAFETY." --- Right, but you aren't concerned enough about safety (or anyone elses safety) so that you stop yourself from going over the speed limit? Do you not think the limit might be there for a reason? Do you not think the limit has been chosen by someone just a tad more qualified to deem an acceptable speed than YOU? What makes you think that you have the right to deliberately increase the risk for you and others (i.e. the person you'd have the accident with).
"Regretably I suspect itpro's and, I fear, your priority is over legality NOT safety." --- I think you'll find my argument has been entirely based on safety. If you'd actually been taking notice you'd realise I recognise the speed limit as being the LIMIT of acceptable risk, as judged by a proper authority (e.g. NOT a driver who says 'I am a good driver therefore can drive fast') If I had an accident with someone going under the speed limit, I would obviously not be pleased - but (for the speed aspects at least) I will accept that they have limited the risk to other road users to an reasonable level. However, if I have an accident with someone travelling faster than the limit, they have irresponsibly increased the risks beyond what I would regard (and is officially regarded) as a reasonable level. (Note I say 'reasonable' level, and not a 'safe' level)
But go on, be honest, you don't really give a stuff about safety do you John. All you're trying to do is justify in your own head (and in others) why you speed on the roads.
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