POLL: Speed Limits

Remove all ads!

I think that having realistic speed limits is a good idea for the community. The speed limit in the US had been 55 from 1971 to 1996. Now each state can set it's own limit. Most have a limit of 65 or higher. I think the type of road and area are key factors in setting a reasonable limit. I live in the Northeast where most road and rather twisty and turny, lots of hills, direction changes offramps and lane changes. Thus the speed limit should be lower than out west where you have long streches of totally straight, flat road. I feel the key is that government should use the speed limit as a tool for public safty not fee collections. When you see foolish limit changes and police who are more interested in giving out tickets then improving the quality of life I think the whole speed lmit issue becomes blurred.

 

BTA is pretty much right, you don't get in much trouble as long as the car in front of you is speeding too (since he'll get caught, not you). The U.S. cops also tend to be involved in other things rather than keeping our speed limits enforced (eating doughnuts comes to mind)(no offense intended if any of you are cops).

I can't say I've ever gone more than 10-15 mph over the speed limit on freeways. I've never been in that much of a hurry, although my car seems to always want to go at triple the limit.

I'm curious though, how do people justify that sort of driving? Are you simply rushed? Do you get off by flying past other people? Admittedly, I will drive pretty quickly if there's a cute girl watching, just to show off a bit, as well as taking turns much harder than I should.

[ July 31, 2002, 17:55: Message edited by: Rastor ]

 

BTA, you are right! I love driving fast (not only in the highways) just because i enjoy it. i think that there are two things in BTA's that suit me exactly.

and the most impostant is:

And btw, BTA what car do you have?

[I have a '94 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD - BTA]

[Nice, you know I know a little bit about cars (reding a lot of magazines all day and my dream is a pure well tuned Mustang, dunno why, but my cousin (lives in Canada) has one tuned in 650hp and I got a ride with it. I loved it

[ July 31, 2002, 20:33: Message edited by: Sirdan ]

 

IIRC, the federal speed limit in the US was eliminated, so states are now the ones that post speed limitsl. On most interstate highways I drive on, the speed limit is 70mph. On 4 lane US and state roads, it's 65mph. On some 2 lane county roads, it's as high as 60mph, although 55 is more common. This is from a Southeast US POV.

As for getting ticketed, around here you can speed quite a bit as long as you're not driving recklessly or weaving through traffic. I've gone flying past cops as high as 90mph, but I was not pulled over because my driving was not endangering anyone. (I did however, slow down anyway) Oops.

 

Yeah, all the states set their own speed limits. The cops also have a 'buffer' or 'tolerance' of about 5mph; meaning, the posted speed limit is 70, but even if they clock you with radar, they won't pull you over at 75mph.

Montana (way up on the northern side of the US, and very sparcely populated) had a strech of interstate which was ungoverned for about a year. No speed limit, but you couldn't do over 60mph except in July and August or your car would slide off the road (wind and snow). The number of accidents didn't increase significantly, but there was intense pressure from the surrounding states to set a limit, so they did. But the cops *will not* pull you over unless you are above 150mph.

Other places, like Missouri, the cops LOVE to pull you over. They will snag an 'out-of-stater' (someone who is just passing through the state) for doing 3mph over the limit. Every single ticket the cops write go directly to the education fund of the state, so their kids get better schooling and instructors. Seeing how the minimum ticket is about $45, they rack up the ca$h very quickly.

How do things work over in Germany and Croatia? I know how things work in Britian, 'cause the show "COPS" on the television shows a whole slew of Britt cops and their patrol vehicle cameras.

 

I am curious what are the highest speeds you have gone, just curious. Not nessecary in public roads. What is the highest speed you have gone and under what circumstances?

Mine for example was when I was testing a hard tuned BMW 316i of a friend of mine (2 years older He had put the engine from 320 (2000cc) and then also a kompressor. The car had about 260hp and we get in a big straight(24km) next to the highway to test it (you know: max speed, 0-400m, 0-100km/h etc.) and when I was testing it for max speed it hit 240km/h (about 150mph). Ofcourse that happened in an abandoned road at about 5 o'clock in the morning. And btw this car has also won a Dragster cup in the Normal category (no I wasn't the driver

[ July 31, 2002, 20:53: Message edited by: Sirdan ]

 

Fastest I've ever gone? Over 200mph, but this was most certainly not on an interstate highway. Regardless, a new law just passed here in PA. It seems that the cops now get commissions on every ticket they write. Needless to say, I'm not going to go over the speed limit again. I can certainly relate to you BTA. I enjoy the thrill of driving as well. I also drive a fast car that handles well.

[ August 01, 2002, 18:19: Message edited by: Rastor ]

 

wtf? where, what car,when? I mean 200mph are 320km/h with what car? And I just hope I have enough time to break your record

And btw where you driving at 200mph?

[ August 01, 2002, 18:27: Message edited by: Sirdan ]

 

Sirdan, I knew somebody would respond like that. It's a 2001 Ferrari, let's just leave it at that, shall we.

Anyway, one of my relatives owns a huge farm, and he happened to build a little speedway on that. When I bought the car, I took it up there just to see how well it would perform.

 

You are a lucky guy... very lucky.. Whatever, when I come from there don't forget to give me a ride