Acceptable amount of time to get up to speed?

[Mr_Luke]

Originally Posted by WylieCoyote


You'd be surprised how many people are just plain scared to death of speed. Speed kills. Speed is evil. You whipper snappers need to stop being in such a hurry.

Every time I pass a Camry or Corolla going 15 mph under the limit, all I can see through the window is white knuckles from the death grip she has on the wheel. You would think it would get old being honked at and flipped off all the time, but they seem unaffected.


Did you ever stop and wonder why they drive this way? It could be for many reasons beyond their control.
Actually I think this whole post is a waste of cyber space.
You either deal with other drivers or you lose your cool, elevate your BP, age faster, increase your risk of a cardiac event, etc.

 

[Mitsu_Joe]

What makes it even more frustrating is that most bigger roads where I live do allow for a green wave if you drive 50-60kph in the city.
If some people take ages to get going or drive 10kph under the speed limit, you then have to stop at almost every single traffic-light which are often less than 300m apart.

I basically accepted these circumstances as something I cannot change, but especially if you're in a hurry during the morning this stuff can make you go mad...

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted by gatorfast
As someone who loves to drive fast, I honestly dont understand how anyone can drive below the speed limit and/or not accelerate at least at a moderate pace if not a brisk pace. If I am at a red light and the first one in line I am always getting on the gas heavily once the light turns green. The people that press their gas pedal maybe 2% to accelerate blow my mind...how do you drive so slowly??


Some cars aren't capable of accelerating quickly. My 1995 Escort is a fine example of this. Supposedly so is the Toyota Prius. Besides that, it's bad for your car (especially the transmission) to accelerate quickly off a stop like that.

 

[Rmay635703]

Originally Posted by zzyzzx
Originally Posted by gatorfast
As someone who loves to drive fast, I honestly dont understand how anyone can drive below the speed limit and/or not accelerate at least at a moderate pace if not a brisk pace. If I am at a red light and the first one in line I am always getting on the gas heavily once the light turns green. The people that press their gas pedal maybe 2% to accelerate blow my mind...how do you drive so slowly??


Some cars aren't capable of accelerating quickly. My 1995 Escort is a fine example of this. Supposedly so is the Toyota Prius. Besides that, it's bad for your car (especially the transmission) to accelerate quickly off a stop like that.


Exactly and the attached doesn't happen when you speed. (Though i may accelerate briskly)

 

[01rangerxl]

Around here, if it's a straight line, it's a drag race. If there's a turn, it's 1970s medium duty dump truck speed and only one car through the intersection at a time. Also, 20 MPH over the speed limit in neighborhoods, and 20 under on wide open interstates.

 

[Saabist]

Originally Posted by WylieCoyote
We're living in the information age, so there's no excuse for not knowing where you're going.


When did that happen? I thought we were living in the Space Age.

There certainly are times when you're not going to know where you're going if in an unfamiliar area.

 

[PimTac]

Originally Posted by Saabist
Originally Posted by WylieCoyote
We're living in the information age, so there's no excuse for not knowing where you're going.


When did that happen? I thought we were living in the Space Age.

There certainly are times when you're not going to know where you're going if in an unfamiliar area.




This is where modern navigation systems shine.

 

[Saabist]

Originally Posted by PimTac
[This is where modern navigation systems shine.


Not everyone has a modern navigation system. They are also not infallible, I personally know of cases where they have sent people on some merry chases. There is really no substitute for getting specific directions from someone familiar with the area

 

[Wylie6G72]

Originally Posted by Saabist
Originally Posted by WylieCoyote
We're living in the information age, so there's no excuse for not knowing where you're going.


When did that happen? I thought we were living in the Space Age.

There certainly are times when you're not going to know where you're going if in an unfamiliar area.


From now on, I'm just going to assume it's you I'm seeing stopping in the middle of the road trying to figure out where you are.

Even if navigation isn't available, taking the time to look something up on Google Maps BEFORE getting in the car is a great way to buy a clue. Learning your way around on the fly isn't always the best idea, especially at rush hour. But I realize that preparing for your drive before you drive would be too much to ask.

 

[Duffyjr]

What I've never been able to figure out is why people wait to the last minute to do things, this includes drive time, if it takes 15 minutes to get to work don't wait until 7:45 to leave home. I live about 2 miles from work, if I hit all the lights (all two of them) I can be at work in five minutes if I hit both lights more like 10, I always leave the house at 7:40 to give me plenty of time.

 

[Pew]

Originally Posted by Saabist
There certainly are times when you're not going to know where you're going if in an unfamiliar area.


This is very true. People's driving confidence usually drop a lot when they're driving in an unfamiliar area. Worse if they're going around a major metro area like Chicago where they're not used to it. Modern navi systems have improved a lot though (like google maps showing you what turn lane to use in order to best position you for the next turn) but nothing beats experience and familiarity.

 

[wander2039]

Doesn't matter how fast the car is half of them are on the phone or whatever. On the bike numerous times I beat cars to the next light.. and I'm slow! What's bad though even in the RV I'm faster than some cars on the off/on ramps, makes it dangerous.

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted by Eric Smith
What's bad though even in the RV I'm faster than some cars on the off/on ramps, makes it dangerous.

I completely understand this. I have seen it towing my trailer.

 

[Mitsu_Joe]

While not getting up to speed in time is annoying at the traffic light, it is downright dangerous on the highway.

On my commute to work I often see people merging onto the highway with 35mph and sometimes even slower than that.
This creates dangerous situations when the big semis have to break hard or merge as a consequence, especially in rush-hour traffic.
Every once in a while, an accident happens.

In this case, it has nothing to do with engine displacement or not being familiar with the area.

Even I with my camry-sized sedan pushing out a whopping 83 carbureted hp can make it up to 50mph at the end of the on-ramp without even exceeding 3000rpm or pushing the pedal to the metal...

 

[Saabist]

Originally Posted by WylieCoyote
From now on, I'm just going to assume it's you I'm seeing stopping in the middle of the road trying to figure out where you are.

Even if navigation isn't available, taking the time to look something up on Google Maps BEFORE getting in the car is a great way to buy a clue. Learning your way around on the fly isn't always the best idea, especially at rush hour. But I realize that preparing for your drive before you drive would be too much to ask.


You know the old saying about assumptions, Wylie.

Google Maps is not always correct. I've seen it pull a few boners. Beyond that, you are also making the presumptuous assumption that everyone uses the internet. Obviously I do since I am here, but I know quite a few who do not, and who furthermore do not have any kind of cell phone let alone a smart phone.

We got along just fine without this stuff 30 years ago and many don't have a desire to use it today.

 

[Wylie6G72]

Originally Posted by Saabist
Originally Posted by WylieCoyote
From now on, I'm just going to assume it's you I'm seeing stopping in the middle of the road trying to figure out where you are.

Even if navigation isn't available, taking the time to look something up on Google Maps BEFORE getting in the car is a great way to buy a clue. Learning your way around on the fly isn't always the best idea, especially at rush hour. But I realize that preparing for your drive before you drive would be too much to ask.


You know the old saying about assumptions, Wylie.

Google Maps is not always correct. I've seen it pull a few boners. Beyond that, you are also making the presumptuous assumption that everyone uses the internet. Obviously I do since I am here, but I know quite a few who do not, and who furthermore do not have any kind of cell phone let alone a smart phone.

We got along just fine without this stuff 30 years ago and many don't have a desire to use it today.


And they're prime candidates for taking the bus.

 

[Cujet]

Was behind a slow Subaru in NY today. He put 1/8 mile distance between him and the cars in front of him. Of course the subsequent light turned red and he blatantly ran it. Leaving me stuck behind massive AM school traffic. Then the cops stopped traffic and I had to wait 15 minutes. While slowpoke had no delay. Limit was 50 and he never topped 35.

Common courtesy is important. I don't stress about traffic but that was a great example of what can happen.

 

[Saabist]

Originally Posted by WylieCoyote
[
And they're prime candidates for taking the bus.


The bus doesn't go everywhere, not to mention that it is unlikely you are in any position to make a determination of who should be taking the bus. I can only suggest that you petition your state representatives to take the driver's license away from anyone who does not use the internet or a smart phone - let us know how far you get with that.

 

[JunkdrawerDog]

Originally Posted by Cujet
Was behind a slow Subaru in NY today. He put 1/8 mile distance between him and the cars in front of him. Of course the subsequent light turned red and he blatantly ran it. Leaving me stuck behind massive AM school traffic. Then the cops stopped traffic and I had to wait 15 minutes. While slowpoke had no delay. Limit was 50 and he never topped 35.

Common courtesy is important. I don't stress about traffic but that was a great example of what can happen.

I saw Eddie Murphy pull that same move on some cops in "Beverly Hills Cop". That guy probably saw that movie too!

 

[SR5]

Originally Posted by ls1mike
I am just asking about reasonable acceleration. Lets say from a stop to get up to 55? I think 10 seconds is a good goal.


I'm with you Mike, people need to get going to get the traffic moving, not just themselves.

Your figure of 10sec reminds me how cars have changed, that time was a fast car when I was a kid.

Quote
Datsun 120Y is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 16.3 sec, and the quarter mile drag time is 20.5 sec


And that was flat to the floor, mate had one as his first car at Uni.