Minimum Speed Requirement

[grasscutter]

I have to ask thou. Do you think going 30-35 rather than 40 is going to make much difference as far as wear and tear(I assume that’s why your driving slow given your previous post) or is there another reason?

The rough roads do increase the wear on the vehicle's chassis and driving the speed limit does increase the wear on the vehicle's brakes.

Given the way the traffic lights are set up currently, I fail to see the logic in driving the speed limit.

If driving the speed limit meant I would hit all the green lights, I'd be happy to drive the speed limit.

It used to be a long time ago when the traffic lights in town were on timers instead of using sensors to sense the presence of vehicles stacking up, that you could drive 32 miles per hour down this one avenue and never hit a red light because that's what the traffic lights were timed for. The irony in the whole thing is the speed limit was posted at 40 miles per hour at the time and still is to this day.

 

[AKhan87]

That is not your problem. That is law enforcement problem.

couldn't agree more

Same as people who think driving in the left lane at the speed limit is OK, regardless of whether there are faster vehicles. The law says: slower vehicles in the right lane. If someone in the left lane is breaking the law by speeding, that is not the driver's problem, but a law enforcement problem.

Exactly, I despise left lane campers on the highway, plenty of them in California and Colorado, it is completely normal there to do this.

You could be and probably will be pulled over eventually if you create a backlog.
My friend in ATL got a ticket for doing exactly that.

Love that.

A family friend was ticketed by Florida Highway Patrol for impeding traffic on I-75. She was actually driving the speed limit but doing so in the left hand lane. A line of cars formed behind her and that was sufficient for the trooper to issue a ticket.

Love this, more highway patrol units need to target this.

The first time I saw someone get pulled over for left lane camping was in Wyoming, and that was my first drive to Wyoming, fell in love with WY since then.

 

[AKhan87]

The rough roads do increase the wear on the vehicle's chassis

yes, but that sounds like a road problem, the speed limit may not match the road condition, that's a different scenario.

and driving the speed limit does increase the wear on the vehicle's brakes.

never heard of that one before, roads might be safer without you driving, you are absolutely terrified, brakes?

Given the way the traffic lights are set up currently, I fail to see the logic in driving the speed limit.

Yes that might be the case where you live because of the poor roads near you, please do not travel to other towns with this logic as most places have very conservative speed limits for the roads, and you would just be a hindrance

If driving the speed limit meant I would hit all the green lights, I'd be happy to drive the speed limit.

It used to be a long time ago when the traffic lights in town were on timers instead of using sensors to sense the presence of vehicles stacking up, that you could drive 32 miles per hour down this one avenue and never hit a red light because that's what the traffic lights were timed for. The irony in the whole thing is the speed limit was posted at 40 miles per hour at the time and still is to this day.

Your experience matches of no one I know, though it is a possibility you live in an awful place to begin with.

I have traveled all over the US, I am now at around 1.8 million miles on just regular driving and road trips, as I prefer driving over even flying, and my experience is that 99% of the places, the speed limits are VERY conservative - Granted I know how to fix my own cars, and DIY almost anything, especially things related to safety of the vehicle, so none of things are my concern to begin with.

 

[grasscutter]

On "Canada's Worst Drivers" some years ago, one of the participants was a priest who could not bring himself to drive at normal highway speeds. His friends realized he was a danger on the roads and nominated him for the show. He got the help he needed and with some support was eventually able to drive at a normal speed. If you're like him, I suggest you sign up for some help too.

On the freeway I set my cruise control to 55 miles per hour and stay in the far right lane. It used to be the federally mandated freeway speed limit between 1974 and 1995. To my amazement, I see people with adaptive cruise control setting their speed to match mine.

 

[Jetronic]

What would be the minimum speed required in an area where the speed limit is 40 miles per hour?

0.

conditions trump speed.

 

[rstcso]

In my old department, people driving at the speed limit in the left lane and holding up traffic was a pet peeve of several of our traffic enforcement deputies. You could almost hear the cheer of other drivers when a unit pulled in behind the person and hit their lights. This let traffic open up as the person got put in time-out for a bit, often getting a citation for impeding the flow of traffic.

Road rage is real and not to be taken lightly. Let others be the donkey-hole and don't even make eye contact. Just try to get out of their way and let law enforcement do the policing.

 

[TomYoung]

What kind of speed would be endangering traffic in a 40 mile per hour zone?

Can I drive between 30 and 35 miles per hour without breaking some kind of traffic law?

Yes

 

[OilUzer]

You need to blend in. That's the name of the game. Not too fast and not too slow. Move with the traffic.

Speed limit = 40
if you drive slow like 25 mph or less, it will look suspicious unless you have a good reason like you see kids or bunch of bicycles, Amazon truck double parked, pedestrians, etc.

If police gets behind you, they may stop you thinking what's wrong with this dude. I was looking at some addresses once and going slow and got pulled over for going too slow. Officer was very nice and said you need to step on it. I think he was checking if I was ok or drunk or smoking a joint or something and then let me go very quickly. He didn't smell anything and didn't even ask for my driver license.

 

[rstcso]

Be respectful of others. If you choose to drive slower and traffic is backing up behind you, pull over for a moment, or even stop and get some coffee or beverage of your choice. Others may need to get somewhere quickly, whether due to poor time management or they're trying to get a sick child to the hospital.

As for the timing of lights, not everyone are going the same place. Perhaps someone knows if they drive the speed limit on X Street and hang a right on Y Street and drive the speed limit, they'll hit all green lights.

If road conditions are so poor where you're driving, find a different route. Yes, it might be inconvenient to you, but impeding the flow of traffic is inconvenient, and often dangerous, to others.

Document the conditions. Contact your local road departments and politicians. If things are unsafe, contact local news organizations and let them open investigations, highlighting your concerns. Please be respectful of others.

 

[Jetronic]

Be respectful of others. If you choose to drive slower and traffic is backing up behind you, pull over for a moment, or even stop and get some coffee or beverage of your choice. Others may need to get somewhere quickly, whether due to poor time management or they're trying to get a sick child to the hospital.

As for the timing of lights, not everyone are going the same place. Perhaps someone knows if they drive the speed limit on X Street and hang a right on Y Street and drive the speed limit, they'll hit all green lights.

If road conditions are so poor where you're driving, find a different route. Yes, it might be inconvenient to you, but impeding the flow of traffic is inconvenient, and often dangerous, to others.

Document the conditions. Contact your local road departments and politicians. If things are unsafe, contact local news organizations and let them open investigations, highlighting your concerns. Please be respectful of others.

I'd like sppeders to be respectful of others not speeding aswell.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Most states have obstructing traffic laws.

Meaning driving 15 in a 55 is fine if no one is behind you, but if your blocking traffic that’s not cool.

Unfortunately no one enforces these laws.

 

[vpr5703]

If the conditions and road state warrant the speed limitn- drive the speed limit. Clogging up the roads is not conducive to proper traffic flow, irritates other drivers, and puts you and others and a greater risk of a traffic accident or road rage incident.

 

[andrew_j]

I have people on a regular basis pass me up when the light has already turned red, and 9 times out of 10, are at the red light waiting when I get there. Where's the logic in that?

Once past you they can travel the normal speed of road. You are in rear view mirror to hold up traffic if you want or simply a fleeting thought.

Good for you on letting cars drive by. Curious why you can’t or is it won’t maintain the speed limit as going 30 to 40 is not a major leap?

 

[andrew_j]

Most states have obstructing traffic laws.

Meaning driving 15 in a 55 is fine if no one is behind you, but if your blocking traffic that’s not cool.

Unfortunately no one enforces these laws.

In my state you’d immediately get pulled over for 15 mph in 55 mph without hazards and creeping in break down lane. That is tractor or equipment speed.

 

[tbm5690]

Yes I have two reasons:
1. Some of the roads are too tore up to drive a full 40 miles per hour.
2. The faster a person drives, the longer they wait at the red light.

Where do you live where the roads are so bad?

For every light that goes red before a faster driver makes it, there is also a light that stays green long enough for them to make it through but not you.

 

[Sumboodie]

I've done 20 in a 65 for ~20 miles. But was a 20 ton Deere 724 loader

 

[John105]

It's a shame we can't just use "conventional wisdom." We make laws and rules, and nary are they enforced. We're at the point here in Phila. that imho there should be tour buses pulling in full of tanned affluent vacationers arriving to see, the "Wild Wild West." It's like The Bronx in 1977, in 2025.

At any rate imho if the speed limit is 40, people should be allowed to drive under the limit, especially if driving 40 "seems too fast" for them. Last Sunday, the gentleman in front of us, leaving the church parking lot, drove onto the sidewalk and over a street sign. No idea what happened he tried to back up, stopped, then waved us past. Should he be required to go a certain speed? Does he have the right or privilege to drive 15 mph to church on Sundays? I think these questions should be answered by common sense, and not laws. But if we want to have a law, say you drop below 30 to 29.9 and that's below the minimum, ticket people. Speed cams can do that.

 

[SC Maintenance]

In my state you’d immediately get pulled over for 15 mph in 55 mph without hazards and creeping in break down lane. That is tractor or equipment speed.

What law was broken that enabled the stop?

 

[PF52]

Curious why you can’t or is it won’t maintain the speed limit as going 30 to 40 is not a major leap?

Apparently, it is to save wear and tear on the vehicle, if I am understanding the OP's logic.

Taking the bus might be a better option for the OP to consider.

 

[John105]

Apparently, it is to save wear and tear on the vehicle, if I am understanding the OP's logic.

Taking the bus might be a better option for the OP to consider.

I only say this because it will eventually happen to all of us, slowing down. When we are elderly, I don't think we have the same driving skills as before, but, we still want the convenience of driving our own car. I saw my dad go through it, and now my mom. And for whatever reason, I've seen more elderly women accept finding alternation transportation, than men. I know it will happen--I'm still going to want to drive beyond when I really should....