Is 90 the new 80?

[repoman0]

I don't typically drive 90mph anywhere but I've hit speeds of 90 from time to time. Hell, I've hit 120 a few times... nobody passed me at that speed. :biggrin:

I rented a bike in Germany and had people pass me while I was doing 120 :biggrin:

Look up autobahn safety statistics (hint: there are only 5 states in the US that do better for highway deaths/accidents per vehicle distance). That basically shows that well designed highways, good driver training and difficult licensing, and a mentality that driving is an activity that requires all of your attention makes for safer highways, not stupid shit like 55mph speed limits.

Edit: oh, another nice thing about the mostly unrestricted highways in Germany: when a speed limit does happen to be necessary, for example construction area, heavy entrance/exit ramp area, etc., EVERYONE follows it because they know it's actually there for a good reason and not to generate ticket revenue or make up for the fact that terrible drivers are allowed to have licenses.

 

[MongGrel]

The Autobahn is a whole separate world from US things

 

[repoman0]

The Autobahn is a whole separate world from US things

Agreed, we'd have to make licensing much more stringent and probably tear apart half of the highways and rebuild (at least here in MA) to have semi-decent on-ramps to be able to compare, but still .. I was arguing against the dude who was talking about lower speed limits being the answer, when they're just a cheap way out that evades an actual solution and pisses everyone off.

 

[nickbits]

I will drive up to 100 but ideally keep it around 85 at most.

 

[TridenT]

Agreed, we'd have to make licensing much more stringent and probably tear apart half of the highways and rebuild (at least here in MA) to have semi-decent on-ramps to be able to compare, but still .. I was arguing against the dude who was talking about lower speed limits being the answer, when they're just a cheap way out that evades an actual solution and pisses everyone off.

I'm not for super low speed limits but you're really over simplifying a lot of complex issues.

European countries in general have a far different view on driving than Americans. People who drive in Europe usually come from a more affluent background. (You kind of need to to be able to afford a $5,000 license) Most people in America can't afford that easily. And they still need to drive because 'mericuh is super spread out.

 

[repoman0]

I'm not for super low speed limits but you're really over simplifying a lot of complex issues.

European countries in general have a far different view on driving than Americans. People who drive in Europe usually come from a more affluent background. (You kind of need to to be able to afford a $5,000 license) Most people in America can't afford that easily. And they still need to drive because 'mericuh is super spread out.

I know about all that and don't mean to simplify it too much, but didn't feel like typing out all the things that need to change. I still think that better driver training and a more difficult test (doesn't need to be $5k but maybe more than $30) along with a better attitude toward driving in general (you are operating a 1.5+ ton vehicle after all) would go a long way to making sure we never have to have 55mph speed limits on interstates

 

[lavaheadache]

on 495 around here, peeps frequently travel close to 90. Fine by me, just helps me blend right in.

 

[Zodiark1593]

On highway 49, I keep it at 55.The deer are way more common there than police. Getting pulled over = $300. Hitting a deer at 70MPH = Ouch.

 

[Lifted]

I drove to Montreal and back from NYC along I-87. Speed limit is 65 once you get a ways north of the NYC area. Most people were doing 80ish. I drove up with a couple of friends so I wasn't in any rush. One the way back I was alone so I kept around 90 most of the trip. In a few spots that was the average speed traffic was moving at, at which point I'd let the twin turbos stretch their legs a bit and left the herd behind.

Between having a solid radar/laser detector and WAZE, I just don't worry much about getting a ticket. I didn't encounter any laser on the trip (do they use laser on 87?), and radar was picked up from at least a mile away. With such a straight open road the only reason for the speed limit (of cars) being 65 is to have a steady supply of people to ticket.

 

[Ferzerp]

Anyone who took my reminder that yes, it is still more dangerous to drive fast as some sort of claim that people should drive slowly obviously hasn't seen my other posts.

One can acknowledge that going 90 is more dangerous than going 70 (especially due to the other cars not going 90+ with you), while still not having a problem with people driving at that speed (or thinking ok, 90 for an extended trip is a little slow as long as traffic permits more). It's just silly to hand wave away the extra danger you place yourself in by doing so.

Of course, if I controlled the roads, you'd never see cars driving 3 abreast in a 3 lane road at the same speed, whereas today, that is commonplace. Nor would you ever have to pass on the right (ever notice on 3 lane highways with normal levels of traffic that people seem to think the right lane is lava for some reason?).

 

[dguy6789]

I'll maintain the position that speed isn't dangerous; it's distracted or intoxicated driving that is. You can drive just as safely at 90 or 100 as you can at 65.

It's not really even dangerous if you're doing 85 and everyone else is doing 70. People not checking their mirrors or being aware of what is around their car before they change lanes is a completely different problem from speeding.

 

[Ferzerp]

You can drive just as safely at 90 or 100 as you can at 65.

Not when the other traffic is going 20-30 mph slower than you are, and that is the issue. You can't drive in a vacuum. You always have the other people around. Because of their presence, going faster becomes more dangerous to you than going a speed closer to the other traffic.

I get it, we all like to get where we are going faster, and we all seem to think we are excellent drivers, but the likelihood of us being involved in an accident of some sort goes up the more we deviate from the average speed around us. (faster *or* slower) Pretending otherwise is silly. You can blame it on the other drivers all you want, but the simple fact is, you are creating a situation where you are more likely to be in an accident.

Personally, I accept the risk, and I don't pretend that there is no extra risk.

 

[Jumpem]

I await the day where vehicles have cameras that can read and process speed limit signs and limit their top speed.

Some vehicles already have cameras, such as Subaru's Eye Sight. From there it is just a software update to speed limit the vehicle.

 

[exar333]

I await the day where vehicles have cameras that can read and process speed limit signs and limit their top speed.

Some vehicles already have cameras, such as Subaru's Eye Sight. From there it is just a software update to speed limit the vehicle.

That would be the day I just give-up and get a self-driving car. Terrible idea...

 

[Ferzerp]

Don't feed the troll.

 

[Insomniator]

Well we're all going faster, and road deaths are still going down right? I don't like the idea that '55/65' is the set understood safest traveling speed, and thats what the rules will be until the end of time. Time spent in a car is time wasted... if cars are safer... and drivers somehow made better (or eliminated with computers) then the limits SHOULD go up. If they don't then why don't we make the limits 35 everywhere so we have 0 fatalities?

I can just imagine in 2040 we have highly advanced auto pilot vehicles plodding along at 60 mph just 'because', even though they can stop better, and travel way safer than anything made in the previous 200 years.

 

[canestim]

I don't have an issue with speeding really, think in most places its too low. It's the tailgating while speeding I take issue with. Some people get way too close at high speeds.

 

[Jumpem]

Don't feed the troll.

I'm not trolling. I am completely serious.

I always drive the speed limit (+/- 1 MPH).

 

[Railgun]

Not when the other traffic is going 20-30 mph slower than you are, and that is the issue.

I would say if you drive in a residential area (like downtown Chicago) along parked cars...then I'd say you can.

The issue isn't the speed differential, it's the idiocy of other drivers as vi edit suggested. Without paying attention...without using the lanes properly...

While I'm not going to argue the fact that it is in fact speeding and illegal by all accounts, that's not what this is about. If you raise the speed limits, the minimum speeds will probably still stay the same and people will still not pay attention.

Though, back in the day, I'd be on the phone all the time...wasn't an issue. Not all that difficult to prioritize driving of blabbing...but that's just me...and I digress.

 

[ballmode]

I would prefer another national 55 MPH speed limit. It would bring safer roads and much improved fuel economy.

and while we are at, make 40 hour work weeks the norm too

 

[Insomniator]

and while we are at, make 40 hour work weeks the norm too

He was trolling, has never actually traveled 55 MPH before, or is 90+ years old.

 

[NoTine42]

I was quite disapointed how slow Cali drivers were this summer ... (Or I was too used to the 85mph speed limit inWY or UT near the salt flats.)

But seriously, you could barely go the speed limit on I-5 from San Fran to LA due to traffic, and LA to Vegas was no race like I was led to believe.

 

[QueBert]

I was going around 80 on the 15 and a Chevy Sprint FLEW past me. I realize pretty much everyone in So Cal drives fast, but I didn't even know a Sprint was capable of doing 80 let alone way faster lol. When you can make a shitbox like that go fast you really want to speed.

 

[Raduque]

It's 75 on the i-20 stretch between Midland and Ft. Worth (I actually exited the Hwy onto Texas 6, didn't go all the way to DFW) but I went between 85-90. I lived in the left lane because I was pretty much never not passing people.

Even passed a couple cops.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Long drives maybe but they'd definitely pull you over for over 80. 70-80 is a gray zone that they rarely pull you over for.