If I'm the driver, I like to go ...
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not fair (Score:5, Funny)
I drive a milk float you insensitive clod!
Re:not fair (Score:5, Funny)
Re:not fair (Score:2)
Re:not fair (Score:5, Insightful)
Then you have a hard time to decide if it's just the car or if you are suffering from parkinsons.
On the other hand - don't flip off the jeep drivers because it's he that's going to pull you out of the snowdrift that you encounter around the next corner.
Re:not fair (Score:5, Funny)
it'll be summer by the time he gets that far.
5 Over (Score:3, Interesting)
Now, would 5mph over the speed limit be approximately the speed limit or somewhat faster than the posted legal limit? Or would this be exactly the speed limit, given that it's common for people to go 5 over?
Less than 5 over because (Score:2)
Here in Colorado the threshold for points is five or more miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Points are one of those gifts that keeps on giving since having points on your driving record probably means higher insurance premiums.
Besides, the speed limit on the interstates here is 75 out on the plains. Going less than 5 over still means I'm cruising at just under 80 and I don't have to be paranoid that I'll get a ticket. That makes the journey a lot more pleasant. State highways the limit is usually 65 but there is enough large wildlife around that going too fast can be ruined by some sort of large critter in the road. So far we've seen deer, moose, antelope, bear (almost hit one), mountain lions, and big horn sheep. Smaller but only a little less unpleasant to hit was a skunk we almost hit.
Cheers,
Dave
Re:Less than 5 over because (Score:5, Insightful)
20 to 30mph doubles stopping distance [racemath.info] from 12m to 23m, 70 to 80 mph adds 24m (from 96m to 120m).
A limit of 20mph is probably on a residential road, where people walk and play, sometimes using bicycles or skates, where there are probably some parked cars and some trees, and many junctions.
A road with a 70mph limit is likely to be a dual carriageway (in this country, it would have to be). It's likely to have metal or concrete barriers on one or both sides of each carriageway, wide lanes, and it's unlikely to have pedestrians or cyclists.
I'd need some evidence to believe that the increase from 70-75mph is as dangerous as the one from 20-25mph.
Really five over or five over according to speedo (Score:2)
Most speedometers I've seen read a little on the low side (as measured by GPS devices).
Which is why I like to drive around ten over, because it's really five to eight over.
And for those freaking out about speed what I DON'T like to do is weave in an out of traffic. I like to move about five MPH faster than general traffic but will hang at traffic speed for a while until it's clear and safe to go faster.
Re:Really five over or five over according to spee (Score:4, Insightful)
What would be the manufacturer's motivation in delivering an inaccurate speedometer?
Well, in the UK at least, that motivation could well be the law.
Also note that a speedo may be accurate and still be set to over-read, because if you tried to make it exact and it read under your actual speed you'd be in for a world of hurt in the courts if the vehicle was ever caught speeding (let alone in an accident!).
More specifically, in the UK, vehicle construction and use regulations require a vehicle speedometer accuracy to be in the range of -0->+10%. The implications are that it must never under-read - for obvious reasons - but may over-read. As the cost of manufacturing a speedometer with -0% error would be very costly they all over-read by a few percent without exception. Even if speed is measured correctly the display may not be accurate, so a speedometer error is allowed. Because of this, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) have an official formula for calculating a speeding offence. It allows a leeway of 10% plus 2mph. In reality, most speed traps are triggered at higher speeds than this because if they were set bang-on those guidelines, the sheer amount of paperwork generated would overrun the police speeding departments.
Re:5 Over (Score:5, Interesting)
5 over on the speedo at 70 mph as the speed limit is in the UK is actually around 71 on most cars. The calibration tolerance of the speedo in Europe is defined legally as -7% to 0%+. However as a device it is subject to the usual Gaussian spread of equally under and over. As a result the manufacturers calibrate it to around -3 to -4%. As a result 70 on the speedo is usually around 67. These can be easily verified using GPS. Out of 3 cars in my household one is at -4, one at around -3 and one is at -1%.
As far as the "answer list", the last option is spot on. For me it is:
1. If I am travelling on a trip I have organised myself in speed camera countries - UK,NL,Austria - speed limit on the speedo which means -3% off the speed limit. Ditto for countries where cops make a living from soliciting money from speeding drivers (BG, most of ex-Ugo, rest of Eastern Europe).
2. If I am travelling in a country which could not care less as long as you pay your road tax (CZ,SL,Hu), has gotten bored of chasing German drivers which think that Autobahn means no speed limit everywhere and has no cops anywhere on the highways it is +10% on top of what the speedo shows.
3. If I am travelling on a trip organised by my "better half" which means that we have started anything between 1h and 2h late (compared to what I would have done) it means as much as the car can deliver before the passengers get scared sh**less...
Re:5 Over (Score:4, Informative)
Re:5 Over (Score:3, Insightful)
I love when people get right on my tail. Good time to test the brakes...
What I cant stand is when going 15 over and someone gets right on my tail.
Re:5 Over (Score:5, Insightful)
It's all relative, they likely can't even tell. Someday they'll realize how they negatively affect traffic, though not likely.
I really don't get the point of tailgating. If you're trying to tell me that I'm going too slow, then you need to fucking deal with the fact that if I'm going too slow, that means the car right in front of me is going too slow, as are all the cars in front of them.
Maybe a simpler way of putting it... You're driving too fast. I mean, if you want to drive too fast, that's fine, I really don't care. But if you're going to drive too fast AND be a self-centered asshole about it, I can fight fire with fire and slow down just to piss you off even more.
Not my chair, not my problem.
Re:5 Over (Score:2)
Exactly my thoughts. I usually just ignore tailgaters if I'm at the maximum posted speed, but if they engage high beams in order to annoy me out of the way, it's on! I pull my foot from the gas and it doesn't touch the pedal again until the rude bastard loses his patience and goes away.
Re:5 Over (Score:5, Insightful)
The best you can really do is let them pass and be consoled by the fact that they were the jerk not you.
Re:5 Over (Score:4, Informative)
If you're in the passing lane and someone wants to pass you, then you're the problem, not them. Flicking the high beams is just like clearing one's throat - a polite reminder of driving norms.
Re:5 Over (Score:3)
Actually, there are conditions under which you can be exceeding the speed limit while going slower than the posted speed limit. In New York, the drivers handbook very clearly states that in rainy conditions with a saturated roadway, the official speed limit is 5mph slower than the posted speed limit, in slush and snow it is 10 mph slower, and in icy conditions it is 15 mph lower, and some officers have given tickets to people going 60 in a 65 zone after ice storms.
And before you call me something vile, realize I had a stickler of a drivers ed teacher.
Re:5 Over (Score:3)
Re:5 Over (Score:2)
Also, there are variables in readability and accuracy of speedometers, which restrict the ability to penalize drivers. Anything within 3 mph doesn't hold up to scrutiny in court, so pursuing it is frivolous. In older cars it is 5 mph, hence the 5 mph over myth. Also, speed can fluctuate within 5 mph in just a few seconds, and looking at the speedometer too often can be unsafe.
Nothing in life is as simple as we wish to make it.
Re:5 Over (Score:2)
> If the speed limit is 65 mph, then... if you're over 65 mph, you're exceeding the speed limit. It's not that hard.
Technically, yes, that is exceeding the speed limit. The problem is that the de facto speed limit isn't the de jure speed limit. Which should be--and may actually be (because the unposted/unstated grace renders the law vague)--unconstitutional, but nobody cares because it's been the rule for so long.
Every place I've ever driven, there's been an actual speed limit that is above the formal one. Usually it's 10 mph over the posted limit, at a minimum, but practically it bumps up in certain areas and in certain weather conditions--provided there is enough traffic on the road.
Re:5 Over (Score:5, Insightful)
There is nobody enforcing the law, there is simply someone who is uncomfortable with a driver behind them breaking the law.
If someone is driving unsafely behind me because they're impatient, irrational, whatever, I will do what I can to make sure the situation's safety improves. If that means slowing down, then it means slowing down.
As I implied earlier, this has nothing to do with a wide open road. Sure, if you're in the fast lane and going slow, you need to GTFO. If you're in the fast lane, though, and there is traffic in front of you, there is absolutely no reason to GTFO in a more congested lane (thereby contributing to more traffic).
Habitual tailgaters deserve whatever punishment they get. If it's someone brake-tapping them or a police officer ticketing them, I could care less. If you're on my ass, you're doing so because you're a self-centered asshole that thinks the road is all yours and yours alone. I'd be perfectly happy with people like you eradicated from this world.
Re:5 Over (Score:2)
Shouldn't tailgaters have been naturally selected by now?
Re:5 Over (Score:2)
To be fair: I usually drive the speed limit +10 kmh when I am in the left lane (the fast lane here), so they should not complain about my speed. I do not like the people who drive 110 where you are allowed to do 120 (the motorways here) but I'm not about to tailgate them. 2-3 seconds of distance is my default.
Re:5 Over (Score:3)
"It is also illegal in many states in the U.S. to use the "far left" or passing lane on a major highway as a travelling lane (as opposed to passing), or to fail to yield to faster moving traffic that is attempting to overtake in that lane."
Obviously in heavy traffic, the situation is a bit different since you have a larger volume of vehicles on the road. Ideally the slower traffic and vehicles that are exiting soon will be in the right lanes while the left lane will still be for passing. Those in the left are likely to be going faster as well since they aren't slowing for the next exit.
Avoiding accidents is your duty (Score:4, Insightful)
Simply, the speed limit is the speed limit. That means that if it says 70mph, then 71 is breaking the law. If somebody wants a buffer, they can go 5mph under.
I used to think like that once. Then I grew up, my age reached double digits, and I realized that laws are not meant to be black-and-white like that.
Your first duty as a driver is to avoid accidents. The highest speed at which you can drive safely can be much higher or much lower than the speed limit. The limit could be 70mph but if it's snowing you are an irresponsible idiot if you go above 30mph. On a sunny day, if you have a well-kept small and lightweight car you could be safer at 100mph than someone on a SUV would be at 60mph.
On highways traffic usually goes in "lumps", caused by a few irresponsible drivers who drive side by side slower than the average traffic. Most accidents happen in those lumps, it's much safer to drive in the gaps between them.
A driver that goes faster than the limit and does some weaving to get rid of a bunch of cars in traffic is a much, much safer driver than someone who believes he has a God-given right to drive at the speed limit without regard of what happens around him.
Re:5 Over (Score:3)
And you (t1n0m3n) quit acting like a police officer is the only one that can tell you that you're wrong.
You live in this society buddy with the rest of us and there may be this veil of government, but when it comes down to it, if you're enough of an asshole to everyone, you'll probably get your ass kicked and straightened out.
Re:5 Over (Score:3, Informative)
PS. I once had a guy going nuts to me while in the fast lane in flowing but very heavy traffic because I was leaving a space between me and the car in front of me which was larger than everyone else 0.5 seconds.
PPS. A thank-you to all the other drivers out there who do their best to follow the rules of the road (I at least have never been able to manage my speed 100% of the time).
Re:5 Over (Score:2, Insightful)
The object is always to minimize the time in the car, it has nothing to do with being late. I could leave an hour early, I'd still drive as fast as I could without getting police attention.
If you want to drive the limit, stay in the right hand lane. If you're in the fast lane and driving the speed limit, you're begging for trouble. It's true, if anyone hits you it's the other guys fault...but it's still a shitty day for all involved.
Re:5 Over (Score:2)
Did you read GP's post? If you're in heavy but flowing traffic, and you're going the speed limit in the fast lane (along with everyone else in front of you), what sense does it make to get into the right hand lane just because one person wants to drive faster than conditions will allow?
Should everyone in the left lane move over? What if the center and right lanes are only moving half the speed limit? Should everyone have to merge into slower traffic just so one person can continue in the fast lane unrestrained?
And what's this infatuation with minimizing the time in your car? What's the huge rush? Is the world going to stop rotating if you're not at work on time? Are you THAT important? Seriously, don't be so myopic.
Re:5 Over (Score:2)
>
Should everyone in the left lane move over? What if the center and right lanes are only moving half the speed limit? Should everyone have to merge into slower traffic just so one person can continue in the fast lane unrestrained?
I would like to add to that that around here the cars are allowed to do 120 while the trucks are allowed to do 80. This results in the slow lane (right lane here) having "roadblocks" doing 90. If you want to drive 130 while it's crowded you can't go to the right lane, for you would get stuck behind a truck. A car trying to do 150/160 is going to get stuck behind the next car anyways.
Now when it's not crowded the problem is different. Useless driving in the left lane is illegal here (you should go to the right lane when you reasonably can), so a car doing 130 on the left lane while a car wanting to go 160 is behind it and the road ahead is clear AND there is place on the right lane is causing needles irritation. You can get a fine of EUR 160 for that.
By the way, you can get a fine of up to EUR 490 for tailgating here. And a fine of EUR 160 for overtaking on the right side.
Re:5 Over (Score:2)
Except on the GSP by menlo park where there's always that cop hiding behind the overpass near the cell tower. Everyone suddenly becomes a law abiding citizen around there, it's amazing! (and accident prone)
Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:3)
Most people have this same mentality, however if 'other drivers' were also driving at the posted limit, then there wouldn't be people trying to pass you.
We need to find The First Other Driver, the one who started driving a bit faster than the limit, and made everyone else speed up to match him. Take that guy off the road and we'll all be safe.
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:2, Interesting)
that's kinda the wrong conclusion. the first driver will be anyone that increased speed for any number of reasons, often just for a second.
it's not like one career crim is inducing everyone to break the law. it could be a wind change pushed someone over, or a slow driver moved over, or somebody went to overtake because the car in front was belching black smoke, or any number of things.
road psychology is complicated. on a perfectly smooth freeway with light to medium traffic, try using cruise control and driving at _exactly_ the speed limit. you'll find yourself either forced to weave in and out to avoid slow drivers or people coming up your arse, or you'll find yourself holding your position and slowing down dramatically.
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:2)
it could be a wind change pushed someone over, or a slow driver moved over, or somebody went to overtake because the car in front was belching black smoke, or any number of things
Correct, however these are all transient conditions and most drivers will resume their preferred speed after that immediate issue has been resolved. The real issue is that getting people to choose to travel at or below the speed limit is challenging, for some reason many drivers think the posted speed limit is always too low.
Road psychology certainly is very complicated, made more difficult due to many people's normal behaviour changing when they get behind a wheel.
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:5, Insightful)
That's a fine thing to do. However, please do the following if you are going to go with the traffic flow.
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:3)
Also, don't drive at the same speed as the car next to you. Either pass them and get in front of them, or slow down and get behind them.
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:3)
Be mindful of your fellow drivers blind spots. Do not drive for any length of time where they cannot see you.
Actually, blind spots needn't be so large nor so prevalent:
http://www.wikihow.com/Set-Rearview-Mirrors-to-Eliminate-Blind-Spots [wikihow.com]
Now if only North Americans would learn about car mirrors what Europeans have known for decades...
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:3)
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:3)
... because they can count on you to pussy out and let them get away with it ...
Jesus! Get a grip man! Yer driving to 'king work (or the mall, or Denny's) for chrissakes! You're not stepping into the ring with Mike Tyson! Sheez!
Probably not going to garner any new fans by saying it, but that is honestly the wrong attitude to be getting into a car with! I just hope you've not got a pistol in your glove box 'cos someday you're gonna off asshat for not indicating when they change lanes!
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:2)
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:5, Interesting)
Anyways, there was one major road where something interesting happened. It was a one-way, three-lane road, but everybody was driving as if it were two extra-wide lanes. I don't know how it started. I don't know how it kept going. If someone were to drive as if it were a three-lane road, it would cause an accident within seconds; yet still, everyone continued using two "lanes". There was ZERO communication going on, yet somehow people managed to figure out what to do for maximum safety.
For a while, I've thought about writing about that, examining the psychology of "silent democracy", but I never did, until now. It might be an interesting study.
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:3)
This happens in Seattle when it snows too much. I think the necessary precondition is that you can't see the lane markings. If you can't see the markings, you kinda guess where the lane is and you give yourself the extra space that you need to feel safe in that weather. Everyone else just falls in line, following your tire marks.
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:3)
>>For a while, I've thought about writing about that, examining the psychology of "silent democracy", but I never did, until now. It might be an interesting study.
I think it's more a matter that citizens actually know what the safest driving pattern is, and fall into it. On a 2-lane residential road, with rows of parked cars on each side, people will naturally drive down the centre of the road (you can see for a mile down the road so there's no danger of head-on collisions), because lots of kids and such play in the neighborhood and could dart out from between the parked cars at any time. There's no rule for it, but people tend to shy away from potentially dangerous situations.
This is also one of the reasons why interstate speed limits are so ridiculous. In all other roads, the DMV determines what a safe speed is by... surveying how fast people go on the road. They assume heuristically that 10% of drivers are unsafe speeding asshats, and then take the 90th percentile to set the speed limit. By contrast, interstates speed limits are set by statute, often at ridiculously low speeds like 55MPH for the loop interstate that runs around Indianapolis. It's not uncommon to see a slow lane of people doing the speed limit, and all the other lanes doing 75MPH. That's more dangerous than having a higher speed limit.
When Republicans eliminated the 55MPH speed limit and allowed states to set their own limits, and it increased to 65/70 here in California, the number of accidents went down. People know how to drive safely, and it was the artificially low speed limits that were causing problems.
If I had a few million bucks to spend, I'd get a proposition put on the ballot to require interstate speed limits for a stretch of road to be set by speed survey, just like with residential roads. People know best what the safe speed is.
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:3)
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:4, Funny)
My rule of thumb is to match the speed of other drivers, but never be the fastest driver visible. That way, if a cop does decide to pull someone over, it's unlikely to be me.
Cop: Sir, you were above the speed limit, I'll have to give you a ticket for ...
You: But, but ... why did you not catch that guy?
Cop: Darn too fast for us, sir.
Just sayin ...
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:2)
Driver: Why'd you pull me over? I'm just going up to the lake to go fishing.
Cop: When you go fishing, do you try to all the fish?
I had to admit, the guy had a point.
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:3, Funny)
Cop: When you go fishing, do you try to all the fish?
No, but I think he accidentally the fish
Re:Whatever everyone else is doing (Score:2)
I think this is a bit of a cop out answer. During Rush hour, you practically have no choice BUT to do whatever everyone else is doing.
Suppose you are on the highway and there is no one else around? I believe that is the spirit of the question.
I never (Score:3)
drive faster then I can see..besides, it's all in the reflexes.
Route planning (Score:5, Informative)
Before I drive, I use prescient route planning, induced by consuming the spice Melange.
Re:Route planning (Score:2)
I always make a point of enjoying a nice Wiener Melange before a long drive.
Re:Route planning (Score:5, Informative)
If you want posts that are Informative look for the ones marked Insightful.
I try to hang around or slightly above (Score:4, Insightful)
I had a crapton of tickets a few years back, and it was not helping my finances
now I just let everyone else blow past me, like from a light (im not going to stop them doing 60 in a 45) or on the interstate (its rather funny to watch them all clump together and change lanes in front of each other etc while I am behind them with a wide open road for a half mile ahead)
Re:I try to hang around or slightly above (Score:4, Insightful)
Now I just sit in the right lane, puffing my cigar, enjoying the sights at 55mph and feel sorry for all those stressed out people going 90mph who must be slaves to someone else's schedule forcing them to fly through the world rather than enjoy it.
Re:I try to hang around or slightly above (Score:2)
1. calculate how little time I'm actually saving by speeding.
2. realize that I'm not in a hurry anyway.
3. enjoy whatever album I'm playing on the stereo.
Re:I try to hang around or slightly above (Score:2)
Nice to see the system working :)
I don't give a crap if 'everyone else' is doing 10kph over the speed limit. I set my speed limiter to the speed limit and the car just won't go past it (except for down steep hills of course). 5kph over the speed limit makes more difference than most people realise, and i'm simply not going to do it, and i'm certainly not going to use all the other cars on the road as an excuse.
It's funny though... some days everyone is sailing past me. Some days i'm sailing past everyone else.
88 mph (Score:5, Insightful)
And if I could get the flux capacitor working, I'd have the first post.
Re:88 mph (Score:2)
The answer... political power. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:The answer... political power. (Score:5, Insightful)
Just being unable to change a bad law does not remove one's right to complain about suffering its consequences.
Re:The answer... political power. (Score:3)
Re:The answer... political power. (Score:3)
I'm talking more than just First Amendment stuff. What I mean is: just because something is against the law doesn't make it wrong, and just because some subset of the population gets their laws passed doesn't mean that the rest of the population should shut up and deal with it. Not only shouldn't you be punished for complaining about it (free speech), but more so, your complains might have legitimacy: the law as it stands is not necessarily perfect, it may have been better in some ways before and it may be better in some ways later.
Saying "it's the law, deal with it and stop complaining" is the first step on the road to totalitarianism, as complaining about laws is the first step toward getting them changed. Just because attempting to take further steps beyond that is difficult and perhaps unsuccessful, doesn't mean you should take back that first step too. Keep complaining about bad laws, keep trying to get them changed, and keep ignoring them whenever you can get away with it (or when visibly not getting away with it will contribute to getting them changed).
Re:The answer... political power. (Score:5, Insightful)
If you want to "legally" exceed the speed limit, become a police officer. I regularly have them blow past me on the road at 20+ mph over the limit. No lights, no siren, just motoring along toward a donut shop.
Yet, I've never seen a police office pulled over by another and receiving a ticket.
So, logic dictates that it's legal for the law enforcement to break the law whenever it so suits them.
Re:The answer... political power. (Score:2)
There are certain sections in my city where the speed limit is set to a specific limit because the roads are actually engineered that way.
For example, the exit ramps are all pretty much around 40k. Most of them, however, are curved in such a way that if you go EXACTLY 40k, the friction and the curve preform the turn for you, you don't need to turn the wheels.
I thought that was pretty nifty, though ultimately not as useful, because I can just go 60k and turn my wheel and achieve the same thing quicker.
BWAHAHAHAHA! (Score:2)
maybe people need annual tests to determine their individual "licensed speed limit", and posted speed limits would only be used in highly built up areas or around places with high pedestrian traffic.
That made me laugh. Let me tell you how would that work.
First, most speed limits are there for safety reasons. Some parts of the road just can't be driven at 100 MPH.
So, all speed limits signs stay exactly where they are right now.
Someone actually calculated the "safe speed" at that area - which is probably about 10% faster of the speed limit marked on the sign.
Now, we add your "individual licensed speed limit" - which would force most people to drive up to 50% slower than what the sign says.
It would, of course, depend on the speed marked on the sign - some people and some cars simply can't handle higher speeds, but there really is no need to slow down a "70MPH unsafe driver" by the same percentage in 100MPH, 50MPH and 20MPH zones.
I'm guessing the whole thing would involve some sort of a GPS solution, telling the driver when he/she goes over his/her "individual licensed speed limit".
Anyway, all that such a policy would result in is that the roads would be jammed with slow moving cars.
Cause, a line of vehicles moves as fast as the car in front.
Create more drivers with a lower "individual licensed speed limit" and guess who will end up in front of you nine times out of ten?
Re:BWAHAHAHAHA! (Score:2)
hmm... my post had a sarcastic air that apparently wasn't obvious enough.
however, i utterly reject your assertion that speed limits are based on safe speeds for that road.
in a lot of cases they are (50km/h in built up areas is often as fast as i'd dare go considering how narrow some roads are and the chances of people emerging unseen from between parked cars).
btw, road design in Australia is largely the same as in the rest of the world, however throughout nearly all of my state the speed limit is 100km/h (~62mph for the luddites). on some major freeways the speed dips for large sections to 80km/h while the road conditions do not change.
it seems speed limits are more determined by the politics of "my government can reduce the road toll more than yours can", however, no appreciable change in the road toll has been achieved in a decade (when the average speed limits were 10-20km/h higher in a majority of areas), in spite of improved safety features in the cars themselves.
also, the number of speed cameras on intersections has massively increased over this period, often positioned more in order to catch people going a bit fast than positioned in accident blackspots. again, this appears to have had no significant effect on road fatalities.
all that seems to have resulted in this road safety quest is longer travel times, and more frustrated drivers. if the resources had been put into driver education, i wonder how things would be? if we were all that much smarter could we drive that much faster without ill effect?
186000 miles per second ... (Score:2)
Missing Option (Score:2)
Your puny list can contain my complex answer but you are too lazy to add it.
Nice try.
Depends... (Score:2)
30 limit, probably just under 30.
50 limit, 55-60 unless it's in roadworks.
70 limit, you might as well take the mirrors off...
Much faster? (Score:4, Interesting)
The posted speed limit on the freeway here (in Southern California) is 65 mph. The traffic is usually about 80 in the fast lane where I like to drive. I'd say 15 mph above the posted speed limit is much faster. I also think it's time to change that speed limit (some states are as high as 75 on urban freeways, so it's not unprecedented).
NASCAR (Score:4, Interesting)
I live in NC. Everyone thinks they are a NASCAR superstar. They pass you then slow down. ("But at least I'm ahead of you!") They swap lanes in front of you when you are going 15mph faster than then, forcing you to hit the brakes. I drive 100 miles every day in this.
I have lived in Dallas, Phoenix, Kansas, Mississippi, Texas and North Carolina, plus driven all up and down the east coast, from CT to FL. By far, Carolina drivers are the worst for not giving a shit about other drivers. And to answer the question, I drive 8mph over the limit and set the cruise control. The threshold around here is generally 10 over.
Re:NASCAR (Score:2)
- Roads in IL are fucking terrible. It is obvious the bloated bureaucratic douchers up there squander all that toll money (doubling tolls?). At least here in NC our roads are fairly well maintained (granted they aren't snow-plowed to death every winter.)
- On top of all the wannabe NASCAR superstars here, apparently in NC nobody pulls over for emergency vehicles. I swear, if there is one thing I learned in driver's ed, its PULL OVER FOR EMS AND LEO'S when they have their attending a call. I know some EMS drivers, and they generally feel the same about NC drivers in comparison to other states. Here in NC, people just keep cruising right along. NC drivers are vastly inconsiderate, and extremely incompetent. I think driver's ed here consist of NASCAR '98 in paintball mode while driving backwards wrecking as many people as possible. Is this a problem for those of you in other states?
Re:NASCAR (Score:2)
If I'm the driver, I like to go ... (Score:2)
to... uh... zzzzzzzz....
As fast as possible. (Score:2)
Re:As fast as possible. (Score:2)
If I am on the freeway, Oh boy, get the *@&# out of my way. I am a video gamer, I have good hand-eye coordination. That is my excuse
GTA series or Forza? Makes a difference. From what I read of you, sounds more like GTA mixed with Midnight Club and some Mario Kart. I bet you even hop over the level boundaries with the kart-jump glitch. Now theres a fine for ya!
Re:As fast as possible. (Score:2)
If it is possible to go 80 on a road, I do it. I I can only go 30 from traffic, I do that. If I am on the freeway, Oh boy, get the *@&# out of my way. I am a video gamer, I have good hand-eye coordination. That is my excuse
News flash: when you get in a crash, your car doesn't magically re-appear on the road for you to continue. I'm not saying go as slow as possible, but you only get one fuck-up if you're always driving as fast as possible. It is a fact that the faster you go, the less time you are going to have to react to a situation. Thinking that being a gamer is somehow going to give you the reflexes to save yourself in a dangerous situation is going to get you, or someone else, killed.
Depends (Score:2)
When I'm driving in town I'm typically 5mph over. When I'm on the Highway/Interstate I'm usually right at 60mph, even in 70mph limited areas.
I travel at 60mph because my 2006 Civic get about 30% better mileage at that speed. Also if I can find a tractor trailer to draft off of I'll do that too. I have gotten about 45mpg doing that. My car's EPA rating is 34mpg.
Re:Depends (Score:2)
Re:Depends (Score:2)
Most fun is tailgating while your tailgating, so you can smash while your smashed!
Speed of traffic (Score:2)
I usually drive at about the same speed or slightly faster than the rest of the traffic, regardless of what the signs say. If there are no other vehicles or distractions, I'll go as fast as I feel is safe for that road at the moment.
This may not be the most accurate point of view, but it seems to me that the speed limits are more about revenue than anything else. As such, the only times I even try to go obey speed limits are when I see a cop.
Re:Speed of traffic (Score:2)
Re:Speed of traffic (Score:2)
If you think going 10kph slower (eg the speed limit) than everyone else sets up a dangerous situation, you should see what happens when everyone else hits the brakes when they think they see a cop.
I just don't understand your motivation for going faster than the speed limit. It's not a race. You don't get a prize for getting there first. You aren't better than the people you overtake. Any 'safe' speed you travel above the speed limit isn't going to make a significant difference to the amount of time it takes to reach your destination.
But go ahead. The revenue needs to be raised from somewhere. Better your speeding fines than my taxes. And I'll be sure to point and laugh when I see you pulled over.
Schfifty five (Score:2)
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:The speed you drive changes with age (Score:5, Informative)
Obligitory missing answer (maybe) (Score:2)
If I'm the driver I withhold the source code, I never update, and I constantly crash your box.
Strange... (Score:2)
Only 2% of slashdot readers drive "under the speed limit" yet well over 50% of the time I am stuck behind someone driving under the limit. Either there are not too many slashdot readers in my area or I'm just unlucky.
Re:Strange... (Score:5, Informative)
Only 2% of slashdot readers drive "under the speed limit" yet well over 50% of the time I am stuck behind someone driving under the limit. Either there are not too many slashdot readers in my area or I'm just unlucky.
I think your logic is off. You are way more likely to be stuck behind someone doing under the limit than over it, especially if you sit around the speed limit yourself. It only takes a couple of people doing 20kph below the speed limit on a stretch of road for you to be stuck behind them.
huh? (Score:2)
A little slow (Score:2)
The only limit (Score:2)
I am somewhat compliant.
I don't... (Score:3)
don't drive (Score:3)
Don't drive. No license to do so. And, there's no real need to get it until my city shuts down its pubtran.
Whatever is safe for conditions (Score:3)
This has included me going far below the speed limit.
And above too, but not too far above to lose my license.
I am the person you hate (Score:4, Interesting)
I call this "bubble" driving.. yes I stay in the slow lane.
The effect is actually quite incredible. It creates a slipstream type bubble where the hurry up go around people continue their obsession with saving the 2 minutes and I get a care-free, stress free, mpg enhanced ride.
So ya.. just go around..Ill be there in a minute.
Re:In the UK... (Score:5, Informative)
The US amended [wikipedia.org] the law in 1987 to permit some 65 mph speed limits, then repealed it entirely in 1995. Most of the speed limits now are 70 to 75 mph in rural areas (higher [wikipedia.org] in the occasional spot in the western states), and 55 to 65 mph in urban centers.