There is speeding; there is excessive speeding; there is speeding while driving aggressively, i.e. tailgating and or aggressively changing lanes or going too fast for the conditions; and obviously driving under the influence or driving while texting; and then there is keeping pace with the normal flow of traffic, which on most major highways is doing more than the posted speed limit, often a good 20 mph above the posted limit.
Today’s roads, the major interstate highways at least and those mostly in non-urban heavily congested areas, were actually designed for high speed (70-75 mpg or even greater) and most cars today have no problem and are actually optimally designed for going at that speed. Today’s cars are safer too with the advent of crumple zones, collapsible steering columns, three point seat restraints, air bags, etc. and better overall handling and traction.
Speed limits on interstate highways were reduced to 55 mph by an act of congress in 1974 (and also thanks to Tricky Dick who wanted it reduced to 50 mph) because of the oil crisis and in hopes that the lower speeds would reduce fuel consumption – it didn’t reduce fuel consumption nearly to the extent as it was thought that it would. And it originally had nothing to do with safety – that was just something they tried to use as a “selling point” for the lower speed limits.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Maximum_Speed_Law
But the driver I described was not only not keeping up with the flow of traffic or even doing the speed limit; he was going below it and even more importantly, he was not maintaining a consistent speed and was slowing down to 45 for no apparent reason other than to pi$$ off other drivers behind him. I still maintain that he is more of a hazard than drivers who are driving even 25 mpg over the posted limit. YMMV. : ),
Except for on some roads; for instance on windy roads with many hidden entrances, in residential areas, in school zones, in heavily congested areas with a lot of exits and entrances with short ramps and frequent red lights; most posted speed limits are IMO way too low and they are made artificially low, not for safety mind you, but for nothing more than “revenue enhancement”.
I drive the same stretch of Rt. 30 every day and on most days it is not congested and on the long flat strait away with exits far and few between, the average speed in the left lane is going about 75 – 80 with no problem. And I have no problem going at that speed. But if you are in the left lane poking along at 50 or even worse, you are in the right lane going at 45, you’d better get out of my way and move right or better yet, stay off the damned highway because if you can’t even do the posted speed limit, you have no business being on a highway in the first place.
And yes, like Sammy, “I can’t drive 55”
“Son, if you drive 55 miles an hour in Texas you’ll never get anywhere!”
Most of what you said I agree with. But if someone is driving the speed limit, that is by definition a safe speed. I see all the time people thinking that if you won’t choose to go twenty over the limit, you’re the bad driver.
NO! That so many people choose to be irresponsible doesn’t then reverse the fault onto those who obey the law. Disagreeing with a law isn’t a license to then ignore it and blame others for the consequences. If you don’t agree with a law, then seek to change it.
As for myself, I’m usually at the speed limit or up to 10 over. But most of the time, I see no call for the excessive speeds some people want.
as for the guy you’re talking about. Ya, changing speeds and going as low as 45 is wrong. If I was a cop, he’d be having a bad day. For one, there are minimum speeds on the interstate.