And that's why we have the limit. Your awareness might be fine. But what about the tit in the German cockmobile who's just pulled onto the motorway and MUST get into the outside lane, irrespective of conditions and the traffic around? If the accident happens within your 'thinking time' distance then you've hit them before you even start braking. Faster speed = greater distance before you start to brake. granted, the difference between 70 and 80 isn't much. But the limit does need to be set somewhere.
As you yourself said, the traffic was so heavy that you didn't notice the camera van. Surely, that should mean you would slow to a speed that is appropriate for the possibility of someone pulling out without looking? Also, it suggests your awareness is not quite what you think it is.
Whilst I agree that 80/90 on an almost empty motorway in the dry is almost certainly safe, doing that same speed where its busy is foolish, whatever your car. Your argument could be taken to be 'I have an expensive performance car, therefore its safe for me to drive fast. But the plebs in their clapped out metros shouldn't be allowed to.' Whilst I appreciate that's probably not what you actually mean, can you see how that could be interpreted as distasteful?
I too had a car that was capable of around 150 mph, had expensive tyres because of the required size, speed and load rating. But I was never so arrogant to believe it made me above the law or better than anyone else on the road. Maybe because it wasn't a german car? ;-)
You see it as 'a risk you can afford' Much the same way as a burglar sees being sent to prison.
I'll add that I agree with you that 'safety' cameras have minimal effect (in fact, recent evidence suggests they may actually have a slight negative effect on safety in some places) and do think that several are sited to catch speeders rather than for safety. I'd be happy with speed cameras on every single lampost in built-up areas and there should be zero tolerance where you're likely to come into direct contact with pedestrians, because you're choosing to put someone else's life at risk. But the focus appears to be on the open road, because its more lucrative. I have a friend who's a motorway policeman. He's pulled people over on the motorway below 70 because their driving was unsafe. He's also let people go 90 because it was quiet, dry etc. Fundamentally, speed cameras can't do this, which is why I'm against them.
