What's your opinion on current speed limits?

[AreaCode707]

I found this video quite interesting. It's a bit of a kick to see an empty highway and then traffic PACKED behind four vehicles going side by side at the exact speed limit.

My main thought is that speed limits were put in place at a point when cars didn't have the same technology they have today, and therefore tend to be a little slower than reasonable nowadays. Roads have also improved significantly in most areas since original speed limits were set, contributing to the idea that safe speeds are probably higher now than they were when most existing speed limits were created.

Clearly though human reaction times have not changed, so removing speed limits in all areas probably isn't the best of ideas. I just have a hard time buying that the Seattle I-90 speed limit NEEDS to be 60MPH.

 

[Leros]

I think the speed limits are actually reasonable. Yeah, people go 5-10mph over in some places, but I think any faster would be dangerous. People already drive way too close together to be safe.

 

[jlee]

This varies so much by the specific area, but I will tell you there are roads here on which I won't typically start writing for speed unless someone is running 20mph over or higher. There are also roads where the posted limit is perfectly reasonable.

 

[JMapleton]

Most people will say they're too low, but those people have little regard for safety and fail to realize that not everyone is a decent driver, which is why we need low speed limits.

Apart from that, I think most are fair.

 

[Canai]

too fucking slow. 65mph on the interstate sucks.

 

[jlee]

Most people will say they're too low, but those people have little regard for safety and fail to realize that not everyone is a decent driver, which is why we need low speed limits.

Apart from that, I think most are fair.

There's a state highway here that used to have a 55mph limit (or 50..but I want to say 55). The road was widened (it's now two lanes each direction with a generous shoulder) and the limit was dropped to 40mph. 55Mph on that road is definitely reasonable, IMHO.

 

[AreaCode707]

This varies so much by the specific area, but I will tell you there are roads here on which I won't typically start writing for speed unless someone is running 20mph over or higher. There are also roads where the posted limit is perfectly reasonable.

Nice of you to take reasonable speed into account when you write tickets.

My rule of thumb when driving is 9mph over on the freeways around here is "reasonable" if traffic is averaging 5-6 mph over but not to exceed 79 (so I don't go 84 if the speed limit is 75). I'm prepared to take the consequences if I get pulled over though; I know I'm technically over the speed limit and it's my choice to take that risk, not the officer's fault for how my choice crosses the law.

 

[JMapleton]

There's a state highway here that used to have a 55mph limit (or 50..but I want to say 55). The road was widened (it's now two lanes each direction with a generous shoulder) and the limit was dropped to 40mph. 55Mph on that road is definitely reasonable, IMHO.

One example does not prove a generalization to be completely false.

 

[Hey Zeus]

With modern technology and saftey features i think 80-90 would be reasonable. IMO they should build an american Autobahn.

 

[AreaCode707]

With modern technology and saftey features i think 80-90 would be reasonable. IMO they should build an american Autobahn.

That would be wonderful. I wish they'd at least drop a north-south high speed freeway through California.

 

[jlee]

One example does not prove a generalization to be completely false.

Are you difficult just for the sake of being difficult?

This varies so much by the specific area, but I will tell you there are roads here on which I won't typically start writing for speed unless someone is running 20mph over or higher. There are also roads where the posted limit is perfectly reasonable.

 

[AreaCode707]

Are you difficult just for the sake of being difficult?

Yeah, he is.

 

[Lifted]

Since speed limits don't realistically change, 60 / 65 or whatever it is on any road has to assume below average conditions and BAD drivers. Most people can figure out what the safe speed is on any particular road under current conditions in their car, but there are always noobs and morons who drive too fast.

 

[Hey Zeus]

That would be wonderful. I wish they'd at least drop a north-south high speed freeway through California.

In Theory I-80 could be used and modified to be an "American Autobahn". I still like the idea of a high speed train network across the usa. Just think of it. NY to LA in 21 hours

 

[Hey Zeus]

Since speed limits don't realistically change, 60 / 65 or whatever it is on any road has to assume below average conditions and BAD drivers. Most people can figure out what the safe speed is on any particular road under certain conditions in their car, but there are always noobs and morons who drive too fast.

Speed Limit through new mexixo is the majority 75mph

 

[MotF Bane]

The speed limits are too low in general.

 

[Canai]

One example does not prove a generalization to be completely false.

But one generalization makes everyone look like an idiot.

 

[ShawnD1]

My main thought is that speed limits were put in place at a point when cars didn't have the same technology they have today, and therefore tend to be a little slower than reasonable nowadays.

In Canada the government basically admits the speed limits are total bullshit just for the sake of collecting taxes. How do we know this? There are 2 separate types of speed limit signs. The regular white speed limits are arbitrary, and it's possible to go more than twice that speed without crashing. The yellow speed limits are ones you need to follow. A yellow sign that says 30 really means go 30 or else you're going to crash your car. The important yellow signs are generally posted where there are sharp corners or zig-zags in the road.

 

[JMapleton]

Are you difficult just for the sake of being difficult?

Why yes I am.

 

[Colt45]

Up the limits

Ticket people for staying in the passing lane, and following to close, and driving shit pieces.

 

[ShawnD1]

Ticket people for staying in the passing lane, and following to close, and driving shit pieces.

I don't understand why people use completely different rules for city and highway driving. In the city, you drive whatever speed you want in whatever lane you want. If there's a guy going 20 in the left lane, it's perfectly acceptable to pass him in the right lane while going 40 or whatever the speed limit is. On the highway, people completely freak out, refuse to pass in the right lane, will tailgate the guy in the left lane and flash their brights at him. Just go around him!

<--- Passes in the right lane

 

[Colt45]

The yellow speed limits are ones you need to follow. A yellow sign that says 30 really means go 30 or else you're going to crash your car. The important yellow signs are generally posted where there are sharp corners or zig-zags in the road.

The yellow signs apply to the lowest common denominator...

They're designed for a guy with a .20 BAC, with cheeseburger grease all over his hands, driving a 1959 Cadillac with two flat tires, in a blizzard.

Something a bit more sporty with a conscious driver should be able to do a fair bit more than that.

 

[AreaCode707]

Jlee, I didn't think to ask; what would you do if you saw the situation in the youtube video?

 

[Colt45]

I don't understand why people use completely different rules for city and highway driving. In the city, you drive whatever speed you want in whatever lane you want. If there's a guy going 20 in the left lane, it's perfectly acceptable to pass him in the right lane while going 40 or whatever the speed limit is. On the highway, people completely freak out, refuse to pass in the right lane, will tailgate the guy in the left lane and flash their brights at him. Just go around him!

<--- Passes in the right lane

Because that's not how it works!
We've got signs like this all over, and the cave people can't fucking figure it out.

 

[ShawnD1]

The yellow signs apply to the lowest common denominator...

They're designed for a guy with a .20 BAC, with cheeseburger grease all over his hands, driving a 1959 Cadillac with two flat tires, in a blizzard.

Something a bit more sporty with a conscious driver should be able to do a fair bit more than that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKoEaVaFjEc

Fuckin drunk Polacks. If they were sober their physics would work properly and they could drive the white speed limit!