Highway Trooper got me doing 88 in a 65 early this morning

[MCompact]

Who all here remembers the 55mph speed limit? Going 55 now feels like you're barely moving!

In those dark days I had a Cobra CB and the first generation Escort. I drove 80 mph and never got stopped. That's the maximum speed I drive today- which is now usually @10 mph over on most interstates.
What I really hated was the 85 mph speedometer mandated by the Safety Nazis in the late '70s.

 

[aquariuscsm]

What I really hated was the 85 mph speedometer mandated by the Safety Nazis in the late '70s.

Haha I remember that too! And the "55" on the speedometer would have a red square around it.

 

[Jackson_Slugger]

This article refutes that. Our highways are fine. Driving in Germany is fun, though.

https://priceonomics.com/is-every-speed-limit-too-low/

I didn't really see where it refuted that. But granted I skimmed it but maybe you can quote that part?

 

[RooflessVW]

I didn't really see where it refuted that. But granted I skimmed it but maybe you can quote that part?

The entire article.

TL,DR:

Our roads are fine, and speed limits should be raised to match the average speed that the 85% drive.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

It's not the cars, it's the highway. Most US highways were never engineered for much above 70, if they are or do, then it will be a significant tax increase along with driving fees. It costs thousands to get a license in some countries like Germany, that's why they can engineer better highways...

Our interstates are fine for high speed traffic in the Boston, Ma - NH area,.
Many drivers don't maintain there cars properly - nor do they know how to drive.
the only exception is, I will say the Cloverleaf inter change is improperly applied here with the Exit after the Entrance - which causes backups. That has got to go unless a gurdrailed 1/4 mile exiting and onramp lane is added.
I would like to see the 2 left lanes as very high speed - thru-traffic lanes with an 85 MPH limit and a 75 MPH min. ( If I had my drathers, it would be 100MPH limit with an 85MPH MIN but that wouldnt pass legislature as common snail people think 100mph is insanely fast )
It would require an advanced driving course to drive in those lanes along with a certain level of mental acuity, and an elevated vehicle safety and fitness inspection.
When you ( and your vehicle) pass this exam, you will get a special "dayglow" l tag for you plates. Violators will be punished and fined severely - especially if they were "snailing" in these reserved lanes.

But this is North America, the land of the clueless sheeple - not "smart thinking" by law and policy makers.

________________________

 

[supton]

I wouldn't mind a higher speed limit but then I'd need a new fleet, the current ones are pooped at 80.

Which would be a problematic anyhow. Low speed trucks and high speed cars, what could go wrong? Highways aren't wide enough, and really, if I understand Germany's setup, their speed limits are variable--someone is watching the road and adjusting the limit.

But it sure would be nice on the wide open stretches.

 

[jagdriver727]

FHP is usually pretty decent. I got clocked at 96 in a 65 in Dixie County a couple years ago, didn't have my license on me or any paperwork in the car and left with a verbal warning.

NOT condoning driving like that, was bad judgement on my part and no doubt I deserved a trip to court. It was clear daylight and no other traffic but I realize that is not an acceptable excuse. LEO had a good discussion with me on the side of the highway there and I thought about it for a long time, it changed my outlook on speeding.

 

[Wylie6G72]

People merging from WB 190 onto SB 75 are notorious chickens, and I've just gotten to where I find a clearing and head straight for the far left lane to get around them all while they all decide what they're going to do at 35mph. I got a little carried away one morning (back in June) and passed them all going 87 in a 65. I saw the cop spot me and move into my lane, and I let up, without touching the brake, and leveled off at 75 mph. He followed me briefly, moved right, got right beside me, and gave me the "slow down" motion. I suspect he wasn't wanting to pull anyone over while Covid was such an issue in Dallas. Is it wrong to be thankful for a deadly disease?

 

[jagdriver727]

I suspect he wasn't wanting to pull anyone over while Covid was such an issue in Dallas. Is it wrong to be thankful for a deadly disease?

Here in FL, a Levy County sheriff's deputy told me back in March at the height of the lockdown they were ordered not to stop anyone for anything less than 100 mph unless they were an immediate public danger.

 

[Jarlaxle]

You could have just as easily been arrested after admitting guilt.

I was taught early - be cordial and keep your mouth shut. Take whatever he writes you and call your lawyer.

Don't be cordial. Say NOTHING. Not a single word. Record everything the cop says and does (preferably streamed to the cloud in real-time).

 

[Jarlaxle]

I'm not even sure why there's an LEO involved.

Put up a camera, mail a fine. Base the fine on the difference between the speed limit, the speed recorded, and the speeder's income level.

Simple and inexpensive to employ.

And a whole bunch of reasons it's not legal.

Also, the fact that revenue cameras have a bad habit of attracting spray paint, burning tires, and occasionally hardball rifle rounds.

 

[Jarlaxle]

It's funny that a camera, simple black-and-white proof, is considered unfair.

Describe in detail exactly how I can cross-examine a camera in court. Be specific.

The solution to revenue cameras is and remains a hardball round from a good target rifle fired at long range.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Don't drive crazy and you will not get pulled over. Its that simple.

That might be the stupidest thing ever posted on this site.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Really? Dopes. The highways are overburdened in the Boston area. The only way to give them capacity is to increase the speed limit and open the breakdown lanes. Guess which one is more dangerous? On Interstate -93 going South, if you aren't doing 85 or so in the left two lanes you are impeding traffic. I think Its posted ^% but I dont pay attention to that. The State Police appear allow this during rush hour.
Failure of State and Federal Govt to provide appropriate infrastructure or Mass Transportation like HS rail.

The public should not be punished for this failing. Plus this is 2020 not 1950. Speed limit should be 80 on interstates in the left two Thru Traffic lanes.

Limit is 65 to Medford, 55 to Somerville, then 45 on the lower deck, through the tunnel, and on the expressway.

 

[Jarlaxle]

When I get stopped for any reason,
1. Put signal light on and pull over.
2. Open ALL windows in car. LEO’s hate tinted windows, so open all, tinted or not).
3. Put BOTH hands on steering wheel.
Don’t reach for license or registration or insurance card until LEO tell you.
If papers are in glove box, ask first
Before you reach. (Remember, he does not know if you are a good guy, or a serial killer). Treat LEO with respect. (Yes sir, no sir). You may still get a ticket, or you may not.

You forgot the most critical thing: turn on the recording app on your phone, turn your dash cam to face the side window, and stream offsite in real time if possible. Answer no questions. Say NOTHING except confirming identity and address.

 

[Jarlaxle]

I hate this quoting thing. Anyways, I was saying the income-adjusted fines in an effort to raise more money isn't going to work out/be popular/etc.

It is also almost certain to lose a court challenge.

 

[RadioMannnn]

Its been my experience that if you pull over properly , are polite and respectful, AND don't have a violation record a mile long, you sometimes only get a warning.

Good job pulling way over, you can bet he noticed that. That way he can place his car so he is not as exposed.

Yeah that's probably what got you out of the ticket. Sometimes, niceties DO happen.

If you were in Virginia, they would be looking to put you in jail one day for each MPH over 80 and mark the ticket RD like nobody knows that means Reckless Driving. Thumbs up Florida!

 

[RadioMannnn]

Yep,same here. I always seek out a good decoy

Waze seems less useful now that you can’t report a police sighting while moving, and I’m not going to pull over to report every time I see one, or never get to where I’m going!

I suspect that’s the reason they updated Waze’s behavior in the first place.

I can report police as normal, what are you talking about?

 

[MNgopher]

My 2 cents. Any of you speeding in a construction zone deserve your tickets and fines. The reduced speed is specifically because we've reduced the usual factors of safety that allow higher speeds (like wider shoulders, wider lanes, non abrupt transitions, water spread in the gutter, etc...) and on top of that, the safety of folks working on the roads themselves. My employer has a monument to the workers at our agency who have been killed in the performance of their job, very often in the work zone. Slow down - I and my employees just want to get home at the end of the day.

 

[ragtoplvr]

I only speed on my motorcycle. A 35 mph curve is not fun at 55, now 80 is a different story.

I can pass in a hearbeat. I will double yellow pass when safe.

When enforcement gets too strict, I am hanging up my leathers.

Rod