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Why is it so acceptable to speed?

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Duxxy3

Member
I fucking hate it when I'm already going 85 mph on the left lane in a 60 mph freeway, and the guy behind me is tailgating me hardcore and trying to take every opportunity to pass me.

I call those people fishies - go fish out the cops for me while I stay back here. The first lesson of speeding on the highway is DO NOT STICK OUT.
 

TTUVAPOR

Banned
In Texas, the increase from 70 to 75 on the desolate high ways is a godsend. There's a trip I take from Houston to Lubbock every year, sometimes multiple times a year, and the drive when it was 70 mph, took eight hours. Now it sheds off like 30-40 mins. Might not seem much, but it helps. That's essentially 40 miles additionally that I can make up in eight hours.

The in-city speeding that people do, it rarely sheds off seconds.
 

Zona

Member
OP the people that say that likely have a quite a few speeding tickets and are just trying to rationalize their behavior. I have never received one once. I'll take that and all the money saved. Let them feel superior and lighter in the wallet.

I've never once been so much as pulled over for speeding despite doing speed limit +10 everywhere but school zones and suburban back streets(where it's +5).

For Highway Driving, if you are to afraid to go at least the speed limit, barring of course really bad weather, THE DON'T GET ON THE HIGHWAY. Also the left lane is for Passing if you want to drive exactly 55 fine but don't do it in the bloody left lane!
 
While I know cars are much safer now, I will say that I personally will not buy and drive one of the smart cars in the Atlanta Metro area. Thing looks like a moving coffin. Get hit and you're already ready to be buried.

Definitely don't drive SmartCars, they are the most dangerous cars on the road to the people in them.

Not only do they perform worse than every other popular consumer car in safety ratings, but they also have a propensity to spontaneously combust into flames: http://smartcarsucks.com/
 

Jarlaxle

Member
I've never heard of the 10% thing but I think it's fairly common knowledge that a cop won't pull you over if you're up to 10 miles over the limit. They can but I've never experienced it and once been pulled over by a cop who said he doesn't even pull anyone over on the road unless they are going 20mph over the limit. I was going 52 in a 30. (I sped up to pass someone going 30 or below).
 
Because people are dumb.
If im already going 75 in a 60 zone, and you still want to pass me up...then go around. I already did my part by going fast.

If you're in the left lane you are breaking the law (not counting speeding) and driving recklessly.

Left lane is the passjng lane, not the I'm already driving fast enough lane.

You are legally obligated to move.
 

Davey Cakes

Member
Driving over the limit isn't inherently reckless and sometimes it just makes the most sense to go with the flow of traffic.

If I already find myself going 5-10mph over the limit and someone gets on my ass, that annoys me.

If I'm in a 30 coasting at 32-35 and the person in front of me drops to 25-28, that also annoys me.
 
I fucking hate it when I'm already going 85 mph on the left lane in a 60 mph freeway, and the guy behind me is tailgating me hardcore and trying to take every opportunity to pass me.

I fucking speed up when that person tries to pass me. I get road rage real tough against people like that.

I'm also that guy who stops people from merging when they try to merge at the last second.
 

Dougald

Member
Definitely don't drive SmartCars, they are the most dangerous cars on the road to the people in them.

Not only do they perform worse than every other popular consumer car in safety ratings, but they also have a propensity to spontaneously combust into flames: http://smartcarsucks.com/

Are you sure they're they unsafe? They have a 4* NCAP rating which while far from safest is also far from the most unsafe. I have owned a Smart Car though and I can confirm that they do indeed suck for many, many other reasons. Far too expensive to run, and unreliable as anything. They also have the worst gearbox I have ever experienced on a car
 

ameleco

Member
As I understand it, the traffic engineers designing the road make suggestions for speed limits based on what they expect the average "reasonable" speed driven will be. The city then takes that suggestion, wholly ignores it, and sets it at a speed that will a) satisfy old people who will complain about fast limits and b) allow them to generate revenue from people who are otherwise driving a safe speed.

Am I simplifying it to make a joke? Yeah. Is it inaccurate? Not really.

....That actually does make sense, yeah.

Oh and I forgot the best example of this speed limit crap: There is a road going 45 or so. For about 20 feet on this road, there's a school zone. Literally before you have time to slow down, you are already past the zone. I can't even see the school and have no idea where it is. My guess is its in the back by the houses on the right somewhere, but holy crap man. It is absolutely ridiculous.

Oh and this may be outside the scope of this thread, but placement of traffic lights is always dumb too.
 

Five

Banned
The only time I ever check how fast I'm driving is when the person in front of me is driving much slower than I want to be, and I want to know whether it's okay to be upset with them.

Other than that, I never ever pay attention to how fast I'm driving. I just drive as fast as feels right.
 

ezrarh

Member
Most people drive at the speed they feel safe. Why they feel safe is just dependent on how you design a road. If you have a neighborhood that makes people feel safe driving at 45 because it was designed for 45 although you put down a 30 MPH speed limit, people will naturally speed. If you really want people to speed less, design roads for what you want people to drive. Of course, there will always be those who want to feel a rush and drive a little unsafe, those are the guys you want to catch.
 
Everyone does 15-20 over the speed limit on the highway. Cops don't even pull you over for it. But 25-30 over and you start to get in trouble.

I still regret my 80mph ticket. Worst 500$ I ever had to spent.
 
In Texas, the increase from 70 to 75 on the desolate high ways is a godsend. There's a trip I take from Houston to Lubbock every year, sometimes multiple times a year, and the drive when it was 70 mph, took eight hours. Now it sheds off like 30-40 mins. Might not seem much, but it helps. That's essentially 40 miles additionally that I can make up in eight hours.

The in-city speeding that people do, it rarely sheds off seconds.

Dude, that state toll road between Austin and San Antonia where the speed limit is 80 or 85? That shit is the bomb. I went from DFW to Austin for the F1 race last year and cruised about 120 on that road all the way from I-35 to COTA. It has to be the smoothest, clearest, most bestest road for going fast in the entire USA.

What was great was that someone was keeping up with me for a while about a quarter mile back, people just love that road.
 

TalonJH

Member
If you're in the left lane you are breaking the law (not counting speeding) and driving recklessly.

Left lane is the passjng lane, not the I'm already driving fast enough lane.

You are legally obligated to move.

I agree with both of you. Left lane is for passing. At the same time, I've been passing at a reasonable speed and had someone ask like they were having a fit because I wasn't passing faster at 90mph.
 

thelatestmodel

Junior, please.
I just go with the flow and drive appropriate to the surroundings and conditions. I never drive recklessly, I am always as careful as anyone could be, but if you go by the posted speed limits, I often end up "speeding". I would say I drive purposefully but safely - I'm just a very confident driver.

We do have a bunch of roads in our area that are just bullshit speed limits though. There's one stretch out by some industrial estates that is a 50kph limit, yet doing 50 through it feels impossibly slow. Two lanes in each direction, no houses, no people. 70kph feels absolutely appropriate - so everyone just does 70.

Speed limits are not always fair or appropriate. Often I'll obey them, sometimes they need to be bent a little.
 

bms2993

Banned
I generally go around five - ten miles above the speed limit in rural areas. In urban areas, I go the speed limit. See, my logic is that if a person and I were going different speeds, we'd both meet at the red light anyways. Why go faster? Does my logic check out?
 

Machine

Member
There have been people who have had success contesting speeding tickets because the speed limits were too low. It's a few years old, but the Detroit News had an interesting article on it.
 

potam

Banned
Yea, I don't believe it. Treutlen County Ga stops people for less than 10 over all the time.

What kind of redneck cops are writing tickets for <10? That's like a $50 ticket.

edit: here's the code. Not sure if it's still in effect:

40-14-8.
(a) No county, city, or campus officer shall be allowed to make a case based on the use of any speed detection device, unless the speed of the vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit by more than ten miles per hour

(b) The limitations contained in subsection (a) of this Code section shall not apply in properly marked school zones one hour before, during, and one hour after the normal hours of school operation,
 

E92 M3

Member
Everything is dependent on road conditions, flow of traffic and the presence of cops. I tend to know what roads have more leeway than others. In residential areas it's not wise to go faster 7 miles over the limit.
 

thelatestmodel

Junior, please.
Everyone does 15-20 over the speed limit on the highway. Cops don't even pull you over for it. But 25-30 over and you start to get in trouble.

I still regret my 80mph ticket. Worst 500$ I ever had to spent.

The M40 motorway in the UK is 80mph, constantly. If you're not doing that you're holding up traffic, despite the national limit being 70mph. If you want to pass, 85-90mph is needed.

America's speed limits are generally too low.
 
Surprised at all the speeders. I had a few tickets from camera-enforced streets that I just play it safe now. They don't have those where you're from?

I love driving the speed limit on my main street and some out of town yokel in a pickup will start getting all pissed off and pass me aggressively and then I see that camera flash. Makes me feel so good.

To be honest though I can't stand traffic and get really road ragey even if I'm not aggressive sometimes I feel it's best I dont' drive. Now I bike every day and like it more since I don't have to be stuck in traffic so much. I just like consistent movement I guess whilst stop and go infuriates me.
 
D

Deleted member 752119

Unconfirmed Member
I just mostly go with the flow of traffic and make sure there are some cars passing me as those are the ones getting pulled over.

The interstate I take to work has a 55mph limit, but outside of the worst part of rush hour you'd get ran over doing that. Traffic flow is usually 70-75ish with a lot of people doing 80+. But it's a major city and the cops I know say they usually don't bother pulling people over on interstates unless they're 20+ over and they can give them the super speeder tickets.

Long trips I usually set cruise to like 5-7mph over as there tends to be a lot more cops once you get away from cities and traffic flow is usually slower so you can get pulled over at lower amounts over the limit more often.
 

Vyroxis

Banned
I always drive the speed limit. I'm never in a big hurry to get anywhere, so why rush?

If you want to pass me, go for it. If you can't pass me, suck it up.
 

King_Moc

Banned
I'll normally go a few over in an urban area if the road is clear and no one is around. 34-35mph in a 30, that kind of thing. On the motorway, i'm not really bothered about the speed limit, but will generally do about 75mph else the fuel consumption gets a bit crazy. Country roads is 60mph+ all the way, except for corners. I often come across drivers doing 35-40. They're the real unsafe ones. If they lack confidence that much, why are they even picking that route? And it frustrates drivers behind them to the point that they have to overtake, which is never ideal on those roads.
 

DonasaurusRex

Online Ho Champ
going fast isn't always a problem people not paying attention ahead of time usually is, you should be looking far off into the distance , scanning 180 degrees, and know where you are going. At night speeding is clearly a problem ,and what the hell is it with everyone using their brights now...what the hell maybe i need an eye exam but some of these lights are like..damn near BLUE they are so bright.

Basically a driver that pays attention to the other cars on the road will be ok. Assholes that tail gate, swerve, and dart all over the road and think its skill will drive you crazy just stay calm and let them go by.
 
Everything is dependent on road conditions, flow of traffic and the presence of cops. I tend to know what roads have more leeway than others. In residential areas it's not wise to go faster 7 miles over the limit.
Oh yea snowy days are a totally different story for me.

Heavy snow or snowy roads turns me from a pretty fast driver to a very slow one. Psh, go around me if I'm going too slow I'm not goona crash my freaking car into a snow drift.
 
I have a 40 minute commute to work, one way. Mostly on the interstate. I average 10mph over in the left lane. If you're not doing 10mph over, that's fine....but get out of my way.

Not only is speeding accepted by many, but most of them have this
jerk's
attitude. I want to go the speed limit, you want to go 10 miles over the speed limit. Why do I need to get out of your way, why are your desires more important than mine, especially when yours are against the law and objectively endangering the lives of people around you, like my pregnant wife and our two year old daughter, just because you feel like going a little faster - which saves little to no time, if you really think about it.
 
Not even close.

a standard 2 lane hwy is 55 unless otherwise posted.

Interstates range between 60-70 for the most part depending on where you are.

lol yeah

I don't ever see anyone stick with that though. I take 285 to work every day and especially after they bumped it up to 65mph in some areas, 80mph seems like the average speed in the fast lanes.
 

billeh

Member
You'll get run off the road in the Chicago area if you're doing 55 (sometimes 70 is the minimum) on the interstate. So not only is the speed limit in this case far too low, traveling at that speed is in fact more dangerous than exceeding it. 55 is a relic from the oil crisis in the 70's.

For a country as car-obsessed as we are, you'd think we'd have something similar to the autobahn by now.
 
Not only is speeding accepted by many, but most of them have this
jerk's
attitude. I want to go the speed limit, you want to go 10 miles over the speed limit. Why do I need to get out of your way, why are your desires more important than mine, especially when yours are against the law and objectively endangering the lives of people around you, like my pregnant wife and our two year old daughter, just because you feel like going a little faster - which saves little to no time, if you really think about it.
Because you have two to three other lanes you could be driving that speed in. The left most lane is there so people can go faster there and go around people in the other lanes who may be trying to merge. You're holding up the purpose of that lane if you're going the same speed you would in any of the other lanes.
 

nicoga3000

Saint Nic
You'll get run off the road in the Chicago area if you're doing 55 (sometimes 70 is the minimum) on the interstate. So not only is the speed limit in this case far too low, traveling at that speed is in fact more dangerous than exceeding it. 55 is a relic from the oil crisis in the 70's.

For a country as car-obsessed as we are, you'd think we'd have something similar to the autobahn by now.

I remember driving along Lakeshore one evening...I was going 80 and being passed by EVERYONE. Nobody was getting pulled over.

Around here, I tend to do the 0-10 mph over. I've learned what times I can get away with 10, and I've also learned where I need to stay at the limit.
 

thelatestmodel

Junior, please.
Not only is speeding accepted by many, but most of them have this
jerk's
attitude. I want to go the speed limit, you want to go 10 miles over the speed limit. Why do I need to get out of your way, why are your desires more important than mine, especially when yours are against the law and objectively endangering the lives of people around you, like my pregnant wife and our two year old daughter, just because you feel like going a little faster - which saves little to no time, if you really think about it.

You should not be in the left lane unless you are passing. EVER.

It's not that my time is more important than yours, it's because roads work according to a system, which if everyone actually followed, would mean less traffic and more people getting to where they need to be.

If you are sitting in the left lane doing the speed limit, you are a hazard. And if someone comes up behind you, you are obligated to move to one side and let them overtake, because that is how roads work.
 
D

Deleted member 752119

Unconfirmed Member
Not only is speeding accepted by many, but most of them have this
jerk's
attitude. I want to go the speed limit, you want to go 10 miles over the speed limit. Why do I need to get out of your way, why are your desires more important than mine, especially when yours are against the law and objectively endangering the lives of people around you, like my pregnant wife and our two year old daughter, just because you feel like going a little faster - which saves little to no time, if you really think about it.

The right lane(s) is usually going speed limit or a little faster. No reason to not stay in them if you're going the speed limit, other than moving over temporarily to pass someone going under the limit.

It's especially annoying on 4+ lane highways when someone is going the speed limit (or just way under the flow of traffic) in the far left lane.
 

Flo_Evans

Member
Speed limits are generally set using the 85% rule.

Most engineering approaches to speed limit setting are based on the 85th percentile speed—the speed at which 85 percent of free-flowing traffic is traveling at or below. The typical procedure is to set the speed limit at or near the 85th percentile speed of free-flow traffic. Adjustments to either increase or decrease the speed limits may be made depending on infrastructure and traffic conditions.

Setting a speed limit based on the 85th percentile speed was originally based on safety. Specifically, research at the time had shown that traveling at or around one standard deviation above the mean operating speed (which is approximately the 85th percentile speed) yields the lowest crash risk for drivers. Furthermore, crash risk increases rapidly for drivers traveling two standard deviations or more above or below the mean operating speed. Therefore, the 85th percentile speed separates acceptable speed behavior from unsafe speed behavior that disproportionately contributes to crash risk.*

The 85th percentile speed method is also attractive because it reflects the collective judgment of the vast majority of drivers as to a reasonable speed for given traffic and roadway conditions. This is aligned with the general policy sentiment that laws (i.e., speed limits) should not make people acting reasonably into law-breakers. Setting a speed limit even 5 mph (8 km/h) below the 85th percentile speed can make almost half the drivers illegal; setting a speed limit 5 mph (8 km/h) above the 85th percentile speed will likely make few additional drivers legal.

Under the operating speed method of setting speed limits, the first approximation of the speed limit is to set the speed limit at the 85th percentile speed. The MUTCD recommends that the speed limit be within 5 mph (8 km/h) of the 85th percentile speed of free-flowing traffic. The posted speed limit shall be in multiples of 5 mph15, or 10 km/h for jurisdictions that employ metric.22

So if everyone is speeding on a road the limit should be raised.
 

E92 M3

Member
Oh yea snowy days are a totally different story for me.

Heavy snow or snowy roads turns me from a pretty fast driver to a very slow one. Psh, go around me if I'm going too slow I'm not goona crash my freaking car into a snow drift.

Don't even talk about snow lol. That's nearly a death sentence for me because my lazy ass won't by winter tires. It really only snows a few weeks total.
 
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