Speeders outgun new limits

USA Today ^ | 2-23-04 | Rick Hampson and Paul Overberg

[RightWhale]

cars nowadays are so damn comfortable.

They are smooth and reach 60 very quickly and without complaint. Brakes and handling are much better, too. No muss, no fuss, no clutch. It's almost too easy. They sure leave a lot of glass and plastic at intersections.

[coloradan]

and wouldn't be golden geese for government.

That's it right there. Speeding tickets are 99% highway banditry and 1% public safety. Some towns have openly admitted they "need the revenue" that speeding tickets bring in to the city coffers. For what? To pay their traffic cops?

[killjoy]

*grinning* I cracked 163 mph on my XS1100 bike about 18 years ago, they are still looking for me. :-)

I've had my toy up to 150. It is enough for me. :)

[Nov3]

BTW, I first hit 110 mph in a 1970 Buick LeSabre (351 V8) back in 1976. You don't need a 280-Z or a Stang.

Really my 97 Dodge Dakota 4WD is good for that when the speed limiter is disabled! I don't make it a practice however.

[IGNATIUS]

Notwithstanding better suspensions,tires,brakes ---basic laws of physics apply if you ever hit something at such speeds.Been there/done that long ago with a '48 Chevy coupe(fullrace GMC six)---115 MPH on North Woodward (Detroit) in late 50's when that was considered fast. All young males think they are immortal--so nothing has really changed except cars run one heck of a lot faster off the showroom floor.Anymore I drive 75 and just try to stay out of the way.

[T. Jefferson]

I hit 142 in my Jaguar XJS on a straightaway. The wind going by sounded like a plane's jet stream, other than that it was no big deal...the 12 cylinders were just starting to purr. I ran out of road in a hurry.

Got in a race with an IROC Z once, he owned me till about 105, then I slowed down, floored it, and passed him like he was standing still...the look in his eyes was priceless.

[non-anonymous]

cars like that don't let ugly women ride in them!!

Once I passed a Firebird with a bumper sticker that said "Mustangs are for girls." Upon seeing it, the beautiful gal in my passenger seat replied "you bet they are!"

[martin_fierro]

I seem to recall a famous straightaway in Michigan's U.P. that went for miles & miles. The "Suomi Straights"? Something like that.

[Rubber_Duckie_27]

I think one reason is that cars nowadays are so damn comfortable. You could do 80mph and it feels like 40mph in an older car.

I agree. I used to drive an '89 Acura Integra, and it felt FAST when I hit 70...now with my '03 VW New Beetle Turbo (don't laugh!) I regularly do 80-85 and it feels like I'm going about 60. When I drive at the limit (55-65 in this state), it feels like I'm just creeping along the highway.

Seriously, when you're in a car where you've got the power to go fast, it's easy to speed. I hit the gas and the car just GOES - it's an effortless thing and it's very easy to go very fast without even realizing it. Fortunately the Bug isn't percieved as a sporty car by state troopers, and I'm a defensive driver who's darn good at spotting speed traps well in advance. ;-) I also set the cruise control when I know I'm in an area where the staties like to ticket. Better safe than sorry, IMO.

[SVTCobra03]

I have to admit I went 140mph on the interstate but I couldnt resist spanking a brand new 350Z whose driver must have belived the bs his salesman fed him. The Cobra was still accelerating hard at that speed. I have been told I really need a front splitter and rear wing if I plan on going over 155mph. Maybe on the Texas Speedway in October.

[Gorzaloon]

I hit 142 in my Jaguar XJS on a straightaway. The wind going by sounded like a plane's jet stream, other than that it was no big deal...the 12 cylinders were just starting to purr. I ran out of road in a hurry.

They'll do it all day, too.

We were on the way to a Jaguar Association of New England (JANE) event, in my wife's, and I was daydreaming, when she asked me to check if my window was closed all the way..she heard a hissing noise.

It was the wind going by the mirror. I looked over at the speedo and nearly dropped my guts.

She has only been stopped twice and let off each time..I suspect because she is starting to look "seniorish", and surely most not have INTENDED to speed. or something.

Shrug.

[CPOSharky]

A colleague of mine got a speeding ticket for driving 20mi/hour in 15mi/hour zone. Believe it or not.

I got one for doing 7 mph in a 5 mph zone. NTC San Diego.

[Maria S]

Keep in mind I was a mild-mannered YOUNG woman...and I was mighty proud of my 280-Z. My Big Guy's 65 Corvette Stingray had some goshawful engine in it that could have lifted a light plane. 427 or something like that. He hit 135 a couple of times...without me! Of course, back in the "olden days" we didn't even think about seatbelts! Amazing some of us are still alive! (But...once again...it was so d@#&ed much fun!)

[Maria S]

"I hit 142 in my Jaguar XJS on a straightaway."


Dated a guy who had an XKE...fiiiiine car!! Then there was the guy who drove the 442. My, my, my.

[codyjacksmom]

And it didn't blow? Look at that tach! That's awesome.

[Old Professer]

The editor who signed off on this piece probably still hasn't gotten over his unfortunate experience with one of these about 18 years ago:

[general_re]

Former co-worker of mine used to keep one ticket he got pinned to his office wall - 31 mph in a 30 zone. That's what he was clocked at and ticketed for.

[eno_]

I think one reason is that cars nowadays are so damn comfortable.

Yeah, 20 years ago, my 1976 BMW 2002 could barely touch 110, and anything above 95 was VERY dicey. The front would feel light, and the wind noise was scary.

My two year old 540 will do 140 as comfortably as 80, and at top (chipped to remove the limiter, but otherwise stock parameters) speed you hear the wind a bit, but mostly the lines on the highway just go by real fast and that's it. It used to take an exotic, like a Ferrari, to go that fast, and you needed a brain surgeon to keep the solid lifters adjusted on 12 cylinders. Now you just put gas in and go.

[codyjacksmom]

I was raised with all boys', so needless to say, I have a need for speed. Even more so than my brothers. When I was young, I could never go fast enough. Now I am really good at following the limits, and thats really sad. But a few years ago I got a chance to take out a 12-cyl Viper. When I got it into the country, at about 90, I dropped down into 2nd and it just laid me against the seat and flew. I took my hubby for a ride in town and he about freaked when we hit 100 going across a downtown bridge. I don't know if I'll ever get tired of the hot rods, no matter how old I get. They are just way to much fun! That's why I don't own any.

[Johnny_Cipher]

Finland has an interesting approach toward traffic infractions. They don't fine a set amount, the fines are graduated depending on your net worth. Every so often, you hear stories about Finnish millionaires or hockey players getting $100,000 fines for speeding.