What's your opinion on current speed limits?

[DrunkenSano]

It seems like most bad drivers are the ones driving slow, they are the ones causing periodic traffic jams and if they clog up the left lanes, it makes it even worse because people are forced to pass on the right.

There needs to be two modifications to our current speeding laws. First, allow people to go with the flow of traffic. If the flow is 65mph at the time, leave it. If the flow is faster at 75mph, leave it. Only pull over people who are driving recklessly (i.e. weaving in and out, disturbing the flow.) To me, it seems like potential accidents are caused when the constant flow of traffic meets an interruption to the flow, either a bad driver driving slowly clogging up a lane, or a cruiser stopped on the side, both causing people to slam on the breaks.

Second enforcement rule is to have a separate speed limit in the left lane where there is a higher speed limit and a minimum limit that is enforced when there is no or light traffic. I want to see the terrible drivers going slow in the left lane being ticketed because they are the ones causing accidents.

Edit add: Also, just update some roads with logical speed limits. Only time I've gotten pulled over was on a Parkway that had two wide lanes going each direction, apparently the speed limit was 30mph somehow. Everyone was going atleast 45, I got nabbed, first ticket ever, how the hell do you have a 30mph speed limit on a parkway. :\

 

[bruceb]

Some roads, like the NY Long Island Expy in Nassau & Suffolk, actually have a sign that says Minimum Speed 40MPH .. that road is a 55MPH in most spots and I think 60MPH once in Suffolk county. For the most part, here in NY & NJ the highway speed limits are within reason, but I would like to see some 55MPH areas upped to 65MPH (I-80, RT287, RT208, Garden State Pkwy) .. Local towns always have about a 30 or 40MPH speed and some in town streets are at 25MPH .. I can live with that, as there will be pedestrians to contend with.

 

[Ionizer86]

Speed limits sometimes seem like they've been put up arbitrarily. Sometimes they are underposted:
* A few years ago I-595 in Broward County, FL was posted at 55mph. Nobody was driving slower than 65. It was a perfectly straight six lane freeway. I wondered why they posted the speed so irrationally, and sure enough, I-595's speed limit is now 65mph.
* I-285 in Atlanta. Seriously, 55mph speed limit? (See above).

Sometimes speed limits are overposted. I've been on many mountainous roads with steep turns where you'll see a 55mph speed limit sign, and 500 ft past that, you'll see a "Hairpin ahead - 25mph" sign. Seriously? This signage combination seems to just say to the driver, drive as fast as you can handle while staying safe.

 

[shortylickens]

IIRC most accidents are caused by driver inattention, not speed specifically. Haven't looked at stats in a while, though.

Fair enough, but my original point was a general one about driving. The fact is most people dont take driving seriously. They dont think cars are dangerous killing machines and they think the enforcement of traffic laws is a joke.
I'd like society to be more careful in general while on the road. If the common folk refuse to be smart then I'd like constant reenforcement of the rules by the supposed rule enforcers. Maybe everyone who gets a license should be required to do 4 hours of community service cleaning up blood and brains after accidents.
Too many dumb, ignorant people in the world causing problems they shouldn't.

 

[DrunkenSano]

Fair enough, but my original point was a general one about driving. The fact is most people dont take driving seriously. They dont think cars are dangerous killing machines and they think the enforcement of traffic laws is a joke.
I'd like society to be more careful in general while on the road. If the common folk refuse to be smart then I'd like constant reenforcement of the rules by the supposed rule enforcers. Maybe everyone who gets a license should be required to do 4 hours of community service cleaning up blood and brains after accidents.
Too many dumb, ignorant people in the world causing problems they shouldn't.

Problem is, driving slow doesn't mean everything will be safe. Slow driving is not safe driving. Defensive and smart driving is safe driving. I've seen a lot of slow and scared drivers who are terrible drivers. A lot of them tend to be old people and females. They drive slow, indecisive about driving, cause problems on the road.

They need to force old people to take the (modified) driving test atleast once a year. They need to be off the damn road.

 

[Phoenix86]

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.

It is nice that he's reasonable about it, but he's making the problem worse.

The problem is the speed limits aren't set properly. By saying +20 is OK here, but +5 is a ticket over there the average citizen doesn't know WTF is acceptable.

Then they start applying their own rules, just like you are doing. All of these are reasonable responses to the situation, but they aren't terribly helpful.

The solution, though not easy, is to change the laws.

 

[shortylickens]

Problem is, driving slow doesn't mean everything will be safe. Slow driving is not safe driving. Defensive and smart driving is safe driving. I've seen a lot of slow and scared drivers who are terrible drivers. A lot of them tend to be old people and females. They drive slow, indecisive about driving, cause problems on the road.

They need to force old people to take the (modified) driving test atleast once a year. They need to be off the damn road.

I wish we could do nested quoting so folks would remember the first post.
My first post was: I dont CARE what the speed limit is, just so long as its enforced. And I want all the other laws enforced too. If the speed limit determination system is flawed then thats what needs to be fixed. And I cant agree with your argument about slow or fast. Indecisive people can be driving too fast or too slow. I do agree that folks who dont know what they are doing should not be on the road, thats why I'd like retesting every 10 years.
Slow driving by itself is not a problem. Neither is simply driving fast. Its all related to the general problem of people not respecting the road and the 2 ton death trap they are piloting.

We can spend all day discussing specifics of what kind of person is behind the wheel and exactly what they are doing wrong, but thats not my issue here today.
In fact I already layed out my viewpoint in another ATOT thread, of the two types of bad drivers in America. Lemme see if I can find it.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

The emphasis needs to be ticketing for tailgating and driving in the left lane except for passing.

Get people to stop blocking lanes and being up each others ass and we all could drive faster and more safely.

 

[DrunkenSano]

The emphasis needs to be ticketing for tailgating and driving in the left lane except for passing.

Get people to stop blocking lanes and being up each others ass and we all could drive faster and more safely.

Most tailgating I see on the highway is usually caused by the latter than the former. The slow driver doesn't realize that he needs to switch over to the right lane so the 10 cars behind him can pass.

 

[MetalMat]

I think it is so dumb that it drops to 65mph on interstates at night in many parts of Texas, I seriously doubt that helps anythings. I get pulled over all the freakin time cause I drive alot at night and like to go 70-72 mph. I never get tickets, its just annoying.

 

[BlackTigers]

During the day, the roads here *usually* go about 70-75, at least the left most two lanes, in the 55MPH zones. At night, cops are all over the damn highway up here taking radar, you'd be stupid to go over 60-65, honestly. The limits could very easily be 65, from what I can tell.....traffic moves fine at that speed, anyway.

I really don't have a problem with speed limits. I know the consequences of breaking them (and subsequently how to get out of them), so I have no problem speeding (save residential areas..).

 

[Linflas]

It's also good enough for us to know that you're wrong.

I have yet to encounter a stop light on Interstate 95 anywhere on the East coast of the US (which I have driven up and down more than once).



http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2036732

Believe it or not there used to be one in Fayetteville NC. It had a very long yellow and a strobe that would flash the entire time it was red. It was the remnant of when 95/301 were a shared route until NC finished that last little piece.

 

[Demo24]

Around here I think they are generally pretty fair. It seems Georgia is reasonable with it's speed limits and enforcement. I don't really think it would do any good to raise them. Considering all the shit vehicles I see on the road there's no way I want them going 90mph on the freeway, that's just a good way to kill anyone around. Not to forget what happens when a semi pulls out in front of you going 65 and your doing 90? On most highways people go 80-85 anyway and I think that's fast enough.

The problem is not only are they not really designed for high speed but we don't teach anyone how to drive here. Maybe if we actually had drivers education that was worth a damn we could create an autobahn of sorts.

 

[ShawnD1]

There's a real problem of drivers concentration going out of their comfort zone. A reasonably adept driver, driving a modern car - let alone something like a 5 series - will simply be bored to death going 60mph. That directly translates to lack of concentration and focus.

I have this problem. I've fallen asleep a few times while driving on the highway because it's less stimulating than being dead. I keep caffeine pills in my car after I had a few close ones

 

[SSSnail]

Holy shit fleabag, I've always knew you're dumb but now you're just certifiably insane. I used to laugh at ALL of your posts, but now I feel guilty. The sort of guilt when you know you should be helping an unfortunate soul than laughing at the matter.

















But you know what? ....... BAAWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA... HAHA.

 

[ShawnD1]

The problem is the speed limits aren't set properly. By saying +20 is OK here, but +5 is a ticket over there the average citizen doesn't know WTF is acceptable.

Then they start applying their own rules, just like you are doing. All of these are reasonable responses to the situation, but they aren't terribly helpful.

I have no clue how much I should be breaking the law at any given time so I just drive 10% over posted. 90km/h limit = drive 99km/h. You know what I see all the time? I'll slown down to 55km/h for a construction zone (posted limit is 50km/h for almost all of them) and people are flying past me going 70km/h or faster. Fair enough, they're in a hurry, right? Construction zone ends, regular freeway speed limit of 80km/h resumes. I casually accelerate up to 88km/h and suddenly I'm blowing past all of those people who were just moments ago driving 70 in a construction zone.

wtf people. If you're in a hurry, go fast. If you're schizophrenic, just kill yourself.

 

[shortylickens]

Holy shit fleabag, I've always knew you're dumb but now you're just certifiably insane. I used to laugh at ALL of your posts, but now I feel guilty. The sort of guilt when you know you should be helping an unfortunate soul than laughing at the matter.

Wait, hold on.

Was fleabag supporting my arguments? Cause if he was I'd like to change my opinion.

 

[ussfletcher]

Speed limits should be set for each individual, with corresponding colored lanes appropriately given. If you are cleared to drive in the fastest lane, then you would have no speed limit (i.e. you have a sporty car, and are competent) By no means does that mean you stay in your fast lane, you must still move over to allow faster traffic to pass. (Thus Californians are banned from driving, because they lack any common driving decency) Ms. Asian soccer mom or grandpa over here that can't possibly navigate the faster lanes are relegated to the right lanes, with the truckers and have to follow a set speed limit. (A road test would be a determining factor as well)
I would also universally increase the speed limit by 10 miles an hour on EVERY road.. mostly because I have never, ever been on a road that merited its posted speed limit. Additionally, I would raise the minimum speed limit to 5 mph under that of the maximum, trucks going 35 mph on the freeway are a hazard to everyone. (Yes Californians, I am looking at you)

To make it clear, I did not enjoy driving on California's lawless jam packed (for no reason) freeways for the four months I was there.

 

[SSSnail]

Wait, hold on.

Was fleabag supporting my arguments? Cause if he was I'd like to change my opinion.

No no, you're fine. He's just arguing against constants by throwing random variables into the equation, but then conveniently forgot to apply them to both sides. Circular logic at its best ladies and gents. He linked a link on the "internet" (ooohh....) because someone that's as retarded as he is put up a site, so it must be true, and then use that as "proof" for his argument.

What a douchebag!

You're fine though, as you believe the speed limit should be upheld, which I respect. But, kindly stay on the right lanes when you're being a good law abiding citizen, would you? :awe:

 

[AreaCode707]

Speed limits should be set for each individual, with corresponding colored lanes appropriately given. If you are cleared to drive in the fastest lane, then you would have no speed limit (i.e. you have a sporty car, and are competent) By no means does that mean you stay in your fast lane, you must still move over to allow faster traffic to pass. (Thus Californians are banned from driving, because they lack any common driving decency) Ms. Asian soccer mom or grandpa over here that can't possibly navigate the faster lanes are relegated to the right lanes, with the truckers and have to follow a set speed limit. (A road test would be a determining factor as well)
I would also universally increase the speed limit by 10 miles an hour on EVERY road.. mostly because I have never, ever been on a road that merited its posted speed limit. Additionally, I would raise the minimum speed limit to 5 mph under that of the maximum, trucks going 35 mph on the freeway are a hazard to everyone. (Yes Californians, I am looking at you)

To make it clear, I did not enjoy driving on California's lawless jam packed (for no reason) freeways for the four months I was there.

Don't class us Northern Californians with the SoCal insanity. It wasn't til I moved to Seattle that I encountered really crappy driving. I think we need to start a blinker education program up here, since most drivers don't seem to realize they have one.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

No no, you're fine. He's just arguing against constants by throwing random variables into the equation, but then conveniently forgot to apply them to both sides. Circular logic at its best ladies and gents. He linked a link on the "internet" (ooohh....) because someone that's as retarded as he is put up a site, so it must be true, and then use that as "proof" for his argument.

What a douchebag!

You're fine though, as you believe the speed limit should be upheld, which I respect. But, kindly stay on the right lanes when you're being a good law abiding citizen, would you? :awe:

I like fleabag's talk about speed limits per lane though. While it's insane to implement, I think the slow idiots in the left should get thrown to jail. I love it when some stupid minivan moves into the carpool lane going 60 when the rest of the highway is too. Just because it's rush hour doesn't mean the freeway slows to a crawl especially when you're going AGAINST traffic. so why don't you move over and let the row of cars behind you pass. Hell, as a solo driver, why am I stuck next to you if you think you're so cool and in the HOV lane. Drive faster or join us.

 

[So]

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

Just imagine if they could develop some magical technology to transport people across the country, from NY to LA in like five or six hours. I mean, I'd think that people would probably choose that option if it was even close to price competitive with trains. Heck, I'd guess that within fifty years the railroads would be bankrupt and the government would have to consolidate the passenger lines into some sort of "American - Track" railroad holding company. Good thing that nobody has invented a way to go faster than 150 MPH.

Also, I hear the Kaiser is up to no good. Something about an archduke being assasinated or something.

 

[hanoverphist]

This seems like one of the fun points of being a cop. Go exactly the speed limit and watch as traffic slows to a crawl because nobody ever wants to pass a cop.

i do. here on I10 and US60 ill pass a cop if they are doing exactly the limit. a couple mph over and they usually dont do anything. it is funny seeing peoples faces as i do this as well.

i dont mind the limits here for the most part, 65 in town on the freeways is plenty. it doesnt take long to get to 75 out of town either. what does piss me off is I17 bouncing from 55 to 65 all over the place.

one concern i do have with 90mph speed limits is the tires people buy. i specifically buy higher heat rated tires for my truck, since i regularly carry lalrge loads in the bed of my truck during the summer months when the heat will destroy regular tires. how many people even know there is a speed/ heat rating for tires beyond the self proclaimed gurus here? i have seen the effects of tires shredding at high speeds. it isnt pretty

 

[Nitemare]

I'd rather see them revoke the license of people that can't drive for shit, who brake before merging into traffic, who don't accelerate on on-ramps, who put makeup on while driving, or drive under the speed limit because they are a douchebag especially if they are in the left hand lane.

I have seen cars on I-147 that have bumper stickers that read I-147 pace cars who drive at or below the speed limit in the left hand loan and will not get over. If I ever see one of them in a ditch I believe I'd pull over and laugh Nelson style.

 

[hanoverphist]

reading a lot of these replies is making me reminisce of a story called "the roads must roll". i always wanted that to happen, sounded cool to me.