The speed limit on the M62 from Manchester said 50 miles an hour because of road works on the hard shoulder.

This was a compulsory limit and not an advisory one. I immediately dropped to the required speed and eased into the inside lane. A few of us trundled along at 50 but most went whizzing on by.

Some never slowed at all, but belted on in the outside lane, some cruised at 60, half-taking the limit seriously, a few crept past at 55 as if hoping not to be noticed. A sign partway along this stretch, warned that speed cameras were in operation but the speedsters didn’t seem to care.

The traffic was free flowing at 50, without jams or delays, so why risk speeding?

Is there something in the human psyche that flares into action once behind the driving wheel? Have motorists seen too many high speed chases on television? Been influenced by every speed freak hero from Steve McQueen in Bullitt to Grand Theft Auto?

I rather suspect the outside lane speeders also park on double yellows, talk on their mobile phone whilst driving and don’t give a hoot for any other road user.

Why don’t people obey the law?