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Personally, I really don't care what the speed limit is when is comes to choosing an appropriate speed. I just drive according to the conditions.
That said...
I don't see speed cameras 1025Obviously you haven't driven in North Wales or Cleveland then. I got done for 35 in a 30 in Anglesey, and some other poor bastard got done similarly near Middlesbrough. But we're...
Most of the time, in an urban environment, I will usually be only a few mph either side of the limit anyway. There is simply too much going on to do much else. In a sub-urban environment, pretty much the same thing and conditions don't often allow speeds that are likely to get you nicked. Out on the derestricted stuff I will drive as fast as the conditions allow (if I feel like it). The point is that I always know what the speed limit is, even if I choose to ignore it, and I trust my observation enough not to miss speed cameras, men in white hats. Beyond that, I am happy to accept that even if I do get caught then it is nobody's fault but my own.
To answer your question, I think your problem is that you're worrying about it. You are falling into exactly the same trap as Joe Schmoe and spending your time concentrating on your speed rather than safety. That's rather contrary to all that you have learned recently is it not?
My advice would be to stop worrying about it, drive properly (as you have been taught) and ask yourself why you missed the two cameras. Is your field of vision wide enough? You should be scanning an almost 180 degree arc in front of you plus the mirrors. Are you doing it in the right order? You should be looking at the horizon first and then working back towards you identifying hazards. If you do it the other way round you will find that the car tends to "catch up" with whatever you're dealing with and you end up not looking far enough ahead. Do you tend to "stare" at things? You should aim to keep your eyes moving as much as possible.
You can use commentary to help develop your observstion, especially the distance first stuff. During the commentary, every time a new view opens up, identify the two or three most important hazards in the distance. Then come back to them with more detail as you get closer.
Possibly teaching my grandmother to suck eggs here but those are the most common observation problems I have seen when teaching. Most important, don't worry about it and end up regressing.
-- Mark Foster, Brighton, Suslove, UK PGP Fingerprint: 3342 C02C 7BE8 3FE4 AAC5 8BB2 03B7 9263 DDF2 04C1 -------------------------------------------------- "There are no such useless words as, 'I didn't have a chance.'" Driving, HMSO
