speedweasel

Allright! Lets make something useful out of this thread instead of a bitchfest.

Nomisr is right...the German and US road systems are equivalent (not as well maintained, but...) so why are you twice as likely to die going 55 mph than unlimited?
I think with the readership on this web site, we can get a U.S. nationwide petition going to eliminate the speed limit....but with mandatory training classes and remedial education.
I admit I drive on the high side but I have enough training and experience to avoid accidents.

Anyone up for turning this thread into something positive?

mitchmiller

Awesome post.

army_rx8

wow this is still going? hahaha sweeeeeeeet

irish8

Is this discussion still going on???

- Irish

MarthaStewart

Wazzup JoePaterno? I'm glad I'm not that only celebrity on this board. Slow down please. PLEASE.

speedweasel

Lets turn this thread into the "I cant drive 55" petition!

Who wants to sign?

poolsidenaz

OWNED

jisoo26

I thought the Autobahn argument was pretty funny. Yeah there tends to be a lower accident risk on it but that's because in Europe generally you can't get a driver's license until you're 21 (at least last time I checked, could be different now). Older, more mature people tend to make better drivers. I wouldn't trust a 16 or 17-year-old going 100+ mph

NomisR

Older and more mature drivers does not always make better drivers, better drivers training and experience makes better drivers. 16-17 yrs old makes poor drivers not because of their age or maturity but the lack of experience.

Also studies have actually shown that higher speeds results in lower or same rate of accidents per given road than a lower speed limit because drivers tends to pay more attention and less likely to do other things. This is what's more important. You guys are too brain washed by the media saying, speed kills speed kills. Speed does not kill, stupidity does.

Here's an example, a guy traveling at 85 mph on a freeway with a limit of 65, the guy traveling at 85 is driving in the passing lane about to pass a car ahead going 65 mph. The guy driving 65 decided to change into the passing lane without looking or signalling resulting in an accident. Is it the fault of the speeder or the guy not following the rules? If it was the media, they would automatically say it's the speeder's fault, but is it? If everyone follow the rules already in place, speeding would be safe. It's not that speeding is dangerous, just lack of discipline, awareness, and ettiquette by people that's dangerous. Higher the speed limit, people tend to follow those same rules more because they realize the dangers if don't. And higher the speed limit, lower chance of a bottle neck causing congestions which lowers the chance of an accident. Increasing the speed limit in a win win for everyone.

I'd like to elaborate more but it's new years.

jsh1120

Sorry, friend. In your example the fault goes (primarily) to the driver doing 85mph. No question that the lane changer is a doofus but the way it works is that the (a) the driver speeding is not operating his vehicle in a manner that allows him to adjust to unexpected, though predictable, events; (b) in cases where two violations exist (speeding and lane change without signalling), the primary responsibility rests on the driver who can last prevent the accident. In your example, the speeder hits the lane changer.

If "everyone follows the rules," the world would be a better place and if my aunt had *********, she'd be my uncle.

The point that's often missed in these discussions is that the highways don't exist primarily to support the enjoyment of good drivers in fast cars. Mediocre drivers just trying to get from point A to point B pay taxes, too.

Personally, I'd like to ban soccer moms in SUV's, cell phone-using senior citizens, and 18 wheel trucks from "my" roads. In my world anyone who runs out of gas on the bridges in Seattle would be shot dead and left beside the road to serve as an example to others. In my world, anyone incapable of executing heel/toe shifting would be relegated to using public transportation. Oh, yeah, in my world the minimum speed on a freeway would be 80 mph during the day and everybody but me would be banned from the roads at night.

Unfortunately, they aren't "my" roads. They aren't even Bill Gates' roads. They belong to soccer moms, grannies, grandads, and truckers who interfere with my enjoyment. So when I want to drive "my way" I rent track time and enjoy myself.

1.3L

Were those studies performed under controlled conditions? I'd like to see the report. I think the real core of the problem is the mix of drivers. Some are skilled, alert, well trained and use good judgement while those at the other end of the spectrum couldn't drive their way out of a wet paper bag. As to the notion "speed kills," it's actually the sudden stop that does the damage

Until all drivers are subjected to better training and periodically required to demonstrate superior driving skills, higher speed limits will likely result in more accidents. And those accidents will be spectacular. As I mentioned earlier, it's the mix of drivers that's the problem. I wouldn't have much of a problem booking down the interstate at 100 MPH if it was (a) legal, (b) the conditions warranted it, (c) all of the surrounding cars were driven by experienced race car drivers and (d), all of the cars involved were up to the task and well maintained.

Of course, this will never happen, so it still falls back to each of us using good judgement.

1.3L

JoePaterno

Exactly. These people watch too much TV. Have you ever noticed the amount of people that change lanes without making sure there are no cars coming. I see it happen at least twice a week. The people probably just look in the rear view. But in many cars, there are blind spots when looking into the rear view, especially in RX'7's and 8's. I usually turn my head around and look before changing lanes, unless I have been watching the rear view and I know for sure that no cars are coming. Mistakes like this are what kill people. I love your quote "It's not that speeding is dangerous, just lack of discipline, awareness, and ettiquette by people that's dangerous." Also, your example is right on. It's a sad day when this way of thinking is the minority.

PoLaK

iTrader: (1)

Despite our constant attempts to help you....... nevermind.
Well Joe i wish you good luck, actually I don't, I want to see the Judge tear your license in 2 and suspend you for driving for 4 years pending psychiatric evaluation.

Keep up the attitude, you'll get far, Thread closed.