A few observations from over 10 years of motorway commuting, about 120 miles per day:
10 years ago there was high visibility motorway policing and 'regulated' speeds (c70mph) with regular pileups; I used to see at least 3 or 4 motorway RTA's every week, often in the same locations.
10 years later the high vis policing has been replaced by unmarked cars and Highways Agency vehicles. Cruising speeds are significantly higher, but I don't see anywhere near as many crashes as previously, as there is little panic braking or significant bunching.
You are unlikely to 'educate' a tailgater or phone user even with the threat of huge fines. Their feeble brains simply can't cope with such detail.
Most commercial vehicle drivers are very good. Yes you get the odd white van man on a suicide/murder mission, or an artic driver who takes 3 miles to pass another truck at 55.0001mph, but by and large I don't have a problem with them. I do, though, have a problem with early morning drivers who concentrate more on their coffee than their driving.
Speed does not kill, but inappropriate speed can; I recently witnessed folk getting frustrated with a driver doing 30-40mph down an onslip that joins a very busy motorway!
PH
