Speeding
- Thread starter User
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Ah, right, I see what you mean.
I wouldn't describe it as 'speeding' myself if it is travelling below the speed limit, largely because I would assume that whoever I was describing it to would take the word 'speeding' to mean going above the legal limit, however I wouldn't necessarily say it's wrong to use it to simply mean going faster than is safe (whether or not that be below or above the legal limit).
As you seemingly are, I would also be interested to know if anyone else does use it to mean that. I don't know anyone who does apart from you (if you do?), but would hazard a guess that there are people who do.
the free dictionary describes it as either,
Moving with speed.
OR,
The act or an instance of driving especially a motor vehicle faster than is allowed by law.
When you're describing something to which no legal speed limit applies, e.g. a formula one car, or a bullet, then it's obviously the first one. e.g. there is no meaning to 'faster than is allowed by law' for a bullet, F1 car, or train, so it's obviously the first one.
Now, the first one is also valid for a car that is driving on the public road, but the mere fact that there's the possibility for it to mean the second one in this instance, steers the interepretation towards ambiguity at the very least. It's this ambiguity you really want to avoid.
Perhaps other words could accompany the word 'speeding' (and/or replace it) to steer the interpretation towards the first definition without the sentence losing the impact it was designed to have? I notice thefreedictionary uses 'adj' for the first one and 'n' for the second, I wonder if that element of language could be used to this effect?
HTH....
Moving with speed.
OR,
The act or an instance of driving especially a motor vehicle faster than is allowed by law.
When you're describing something to which no legal speed limit applies, e.g. a formula one car, or a bullet, then it's obviously the first one. e.g. there is no meaning to 'faster than is allowed by law' for a bullet, F1 car, or train, so it's obviously the first one.
Now, the first one is also valid for a car that is driving on the public road, but the mere fact that there's the possibility for it to mean the second one in this instance, steers the interepretation towards ambiguity at the very least. It's this ambiguity you really want to avoid.
Perhaps other words could accompany the word 'speeding' (and/or replace it) to steer the interpretation towards the first definition without the sentence losing the impact it was designed to have? I notice thefreedictionary uses 'adj' for the first one and 'n' for the second, I wonder if that element of language could be used to this effect?
HTH....
Jonathan M
New Member
- Location
- Merseyside
Speeding has to relate to circumstance. A car driving at 70mph on a motorway in heavy fog is speeding, in the same way a car driving at 20 on a housing estate could also be described as speeding, the posted limit may be 30mph, but is it appropriate with parked cars & children playing?
Having said that my personal opinion is that there should be a greater emphasis on speeding where it is likely to endanger the most vulnerable i.e. the smaller urban roads, choke points where peds have to cross busier roads,school etc, rather than the cash cow policies of where speed initiatives seem to be based - large arterial roads,m-ways etc.
Having said that my personal opinion is that there should be a greater emphasis on speeding where it is likely to endanger the most vulnerable i.e. the smaller urban roads, choke points where peds have to cross busier roads,school etc, rather than the cash cow policies of where speed initiatives seem to be based - large arterial roads,m-ways etc.
Keith Oates
Janner
- Location
- Penarth, Wales
I suppose if you said the car was going to fast for the conditions at the time it could be construed as speeding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elmer Fudd
Miserable Old Bar Steward
- Location
- Durham, and I am the eejit
I've always thought that the correct legal limit should be were you have total control of your vehicle dependant on the conditions you are driving in, that's what my D.I. taught me anyhow.
Elmer Fudd
Miserable Old Bar Steward
- Location
- Durham, and I am the eejit
Oh Yes you do !!
Elmer Fudd
Miserable Old Bar Steward
- Location
- Durham, and I am the eejit
Paaaarp !!
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
I would describe Honnor Blackman to be "speeding" if she was driving at a speed faster than that which I considered to be safe, regardless of any legal limits.
I don't think the word speeding is ever used in a legal context anyway, is it?
I don't think the word speeding is ever used in a legal context anyway, is it?
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
snorri said:
OK snorri - you can be the official judge of the correct speed.
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
twentysix by twentyfive said:
Not sure that I understand your response 26X25, perhaps I did not make myself clear, I'll try again.
If I hear someone describe a car as "speeding", I take it to mean the car was being driven faster than the observer considered to be safe, regardless of legal speed limits.
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
OK then, Cathy Gale.
