Two second rule

[pje16]

Am I the only one who is surprised that Highway code stopping distances have not changed over the 40 years I have been driving, given the vast improvements in both tyres and brakes over that period

I guess because there are still 40 year old cars on the road, and the HC has to cater for worst case.

Scott.

That's a good point Scott
don't see many 40 year old cars about, but even at 10 years old they won't be as good as a new car today

[swill453]

I passed a 1975 Allegro at the weekend. Checked its reg and it's completely road legal.

Scott.

[pje16]

WOW
I'll see what I can spot when I'm next out and about

My neighbour owns this 1932 Ford
but it hasn't moved for a couple of years so starting it will take quite a bit of effort
He also has a 1927 Austin and a bicycle has better brakes than that !

[88V8]

Am I the only one who is surprised that Highway code stopping distances have not changed over the 40 years I have been driving, given the vast improvements in both tyres and brakes over that period

I guess because there are still 40 year old cars on the road, and the HC has to cater for worst case.

..don't see many 40 year old cars about, but even at 10 years old they won't be as good as a new car today

The main thing that degrades braking on a 10yo car is likely to be the 10yo tyres.

The best brakes I ever had were on our 1970 Silver Shadow. Over 2 tons but with new tyres it could stop on a sixpence.

Now we have a 47yo car and a 58yo and a 30yo, all have good brakes but no ABS, so I do allow extra distance.

However, if one leaves too much space, you can be pretty sure that someone will drive into it.

V8

[pje16]

However, if one leaves too much space, you can be pretty sure that someone will drive into it.
V8

THAT really winds me up

Where is my sniper rifle...

[bungeejumper]

I passed a 1975 Allegro at the weekend. Checked its reg and it's completely road legal.

Trigger's broom. The only original part by now will be the square steering wheel.

Now we have a 47yo car and a 58yo and a 30yo, all have good brakes but no ABS, so I do allow extra distance.

However, if one leaves too much space, you can be pretty sure that someone will drive into it.

Many years ago, I had a friend who ran a rare vintage Jaguar. One day, somebody struck him a glancing blow on the offside wheel arch, and somehow or other the impact cracked his brake master cylinder. (Of all things.....) But, whereas he could get all the body bits repaired, the master cylinder was out of production, and it wasn't considered safe to repair the damaged part, and so the new one had to be hand-machined from scratch. That one part cost the offender's insurer more than his own car was worth.

BJ

[pje16]

the master cylinder was out of production, and it wasn't considered safe to repair the damaged part, and so the new one had to be hand-machined from scratch. That one part cost the offender's insurer more than his own car was worth.
BJ

Another reason why our premiums go up, that most of us don't think/know about

[bungeejumper]

Another reason why our premiums go up, that most of us don't think/know about

Indeed. But you bend it, you mend it.

My daughter once tramlined a big old Mercedes while she was getting out of a parking space. (It was her first little car, and she'd only had it for a month, but hey, no excuses.) Could have cost a fortune, but it just so happened that the driver had bought it as a rent-a-wreck and he wasn't too fussed because he was planning to scrap it soon. You don't have luck like that every day.

BJ