[updated:LAST EDITED ON 25-Oct-02 AT 06:42 PM (EST)]Interesting link:

http://www.americanautobahn.com/

older link:

http://www.hwysafety.com/hwy_montana_2001.htm

 

Ok I go out to S.D. and Wy. and Mont. and they all have speed limits 80+. South Dakota is 80, Wy. is 80 and Montana is 85. Up until a couple of years ago there was NO posted speed limit in Mont. The Govt. threatened to take away the federal highway money unless they posted one...so they put it at 85. I got stopped in Mont. at 103 on my bike and got a $5 ticket for excessive fuel consumtion (no moving violation) during Sturgis Bike. But the elk can be quite a speed bump.

 

>But the elk can
>be quite a speed bump.

I hate when that happens

 

 

Ya know this is a weird one for me. Usually I am against speed laws since in my opinion, they are often just a revenue generator with no thought towards safety but do result in plenty of soapbox speech making from the local revenue spenders.

On freeways I do think speed limits are reasonable and do like them when "properly" enforced. I usually run 5mph over the limit, yes I know I will burn in hell, but so will most of the rest of us. I do like and dislike people who zip past at maybe 15+ over the limit even when clear. I dislike that they are increasing the risks for the rest of us, but I also like that they are acting like mine sweepers for those of us who are slower than them but faster than the general flow. I especially like the minesweepers who go fast but safely.

I would not want limits much past 70 except in wide open spaces. I have towed with my truck in 70mph and faster almost bumper to bumper traffic. It is a job and very stressfull to keep up with the slow lane at 70mph while keeping an eye out for the usual squirrels darting in and out of traffic. So like I say, I would not want it much faster except where traffic is extremely light.

For city streets I guess the limits are OK except where they appear to be set to generate maximum revenue versus max safety. I especially like the states that recently enacted laws where fines double in work zones. Strange how many orange flag work zones with no workers popped up in my state after that. Wonder where all the workers are in the majority of these zones? One local judge even agreed with that thought and threw out all the tickets generated in such work zones.

On another subject for a different argument, I especially like that some intersections now have traffic cameras that generate tickets. Interestingly many of these cameras are on intersections where the duration of the yellow has been shortend. There are several studies out where these cameras actually increase the incidence of rear end accidents, while only marginally affecting other accidents at that intersection. In the opinion of the magazine printing the article, this is a round about way of showing such types of law enforcement are not always oriented towards safety.

So in short, I am for reasonable speed limits enforced by police officers who are using their good judgement. I am not for obvious speed traps or limits where it appears the intent is maximum cash instead of maximum safety.

Law breaker for sure, but just a little bit.

Jim Henderson

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 28-Oct-02 AT 02:57 PM (EST)]Speed limits should be relative to the area, urban or desolate, weather conditions, and traffic flow.

Screw your cameras, your satellites, and your totalitarian facist ideas that will restrict the freedom of some at the expense of all. Substitute the word "gun" for those type of ideas, and you will see what I mean. And don't give me any 2nd Amendment protection for guns. I know that well, and uphold and support that ammendment. However, driving is a necessity in today's society, not an invitation to convert our society into a totalitarian nightmare. Maybe the Soviets will develop a satellite that will lock the trigger of a gun before the bad guy shoots it!
I don't think the French could techno their way into the 20th century, never mind the 21st.

We have a limited access highway (LAH) system that works well and was designed for speeds at an average of 70mph. Of course through the cities, it has to be adjusted. I personally have driven over 100 mph but in situations that posed no danger to others. This being the case, what is the problem? When one drives at excessive speeds in traffic, it poses much danger to those around them. One can be the best driver, yet tire failure, or other mechanical failures can endanger those around the speeder. There is no excuse for reckless endangerment when travelling with the general public. So to answer the question about speed limits, yes they are appropriate in all the diffferent instances for which they are applied. Rural LAH driving, today's cars can do 80 mph safely. City LAH driving, it is prudent to keep the 55 - 65 mph limit. Cities & towns are the best judge of local restrictions.

I disagree with a 35 mile an hour speed limit along a 4 lane divided state highway that only serves to be a $$$$$$$revenue enhancer for the local/state government.

Got the need for speed? Take the Skip Barber Driving School courses.
You can be certified in racing. You can race at NASCAR tracks in events other than NASCAR. Who knows, maybe you will advance into NASCAR if you're any good. Better know how to double clutch! Just go to the website for more information. NASCAR wannabes, and 150 mph, belongs on the race track, not on our highways.

 

Governed vehicles, what about a 1 car length for ever mile per hour. If that's the case no one would ever get where they are going in a perfect world.

 

>Ok I go out to S.D. and Wy. and Mont. and they all have
>speed limits 80+. South Dakota is 80, Wy. is 80 and Montana
>is 85. Up until a couple of years ago there was NO posted
>speed limit in Mont. The Govt. threatened to take away the
>federal highway money unless they posted one...so they put
>it at 85. I got stopped in Mont. at 103 on my bike and got a
>$5 ticket for excessive fuel consumtion (no moving
>violation) during Sturgis Bike. But the elk can
>be quite a speed bump.


As a matter of correction, the legal interstate speed limit for South Dakota is 75mph for all vehicles traveling on it. They will pull you over at 80 mph and nail you with a $50+ fine, this is true for all times except for the Sturgis rally (found out the hard way).

Local Roads are 55, unless they are posted with a 65 mph sigh (Mainly state rds are 65)

Super,

Rapid City SD

 

>For city streets I guess the limits are OK except where they
>appear to be set to generate maximum revenue versus max
>safety. I especially like the states that recently enacted
>laws where fines double in work zones. Strange how many
>orange flag work zones with no workers popped up in my state
>after that. Wonder where all the workers are in the majority
>of these zones? One local judge even agreed with that
>thought and threw out all the tickets generated in such work
>zones.

In texas these signs have a statement in small print(but still clearly readable from the car) that says "only when workers are present."

Chris