Speeders outgun new limits

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

[LearnsFromMistakes]

I still think the problem is people following too closely. High speeds wouldn't matter as much if people would spread out. Sometimes they are so close I couldn't parallel park between them. And they are going 70+ mph...

[ApplegateRanch]

Try the '56 Ford I used for my first 100+; or the '48 Hudson Hornet that I cruised down NoCalif pre I-5, for over 50 miles at 90.

Even had my '65 Squareback VW to nearly 140 on a down hill stretch a couple of times. Don't ask.{G}

Problem today, though, is too many "aimers" on the road, rather than drivers. No telling what they'll do, when, or why. I don't *not* drive fast now, not because of getting older & wiser'; just a LOT less opportunity to do it SAFELY.

[stboz]

The day one of you "Gotta-go-fast" types kills one of my kids....I will hunt you and I will get you.

[Radioactive]

The 05's are even more awsome!

I seen one and it is beauuuutifull!

I would like thought to have the new Cobra......0-60 in 3 and top speed of 240 mph!

[realpatriot71]

Worry about getting shot if you drive the speed limit where I live

[ApplegateRanch]

Don't blame you for the sentiment.

Then again, it ain't how fast you go; it's how you go fast, that counts.

[roadcat]

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.

30 years ago, my wife had this 1200cc powered Datsun. (Don't laugh, she bought it new with all accessories and options for $2350 out the door). Anyway, things were okay with the two of us in the car. Heck, it would even reach 85mph. It basically had one speed - foot all the way down on the pedal to the floor and the car would eventually get up to speed. But put 3 people in the car, and logging trucks would pass us on hills. A lot of cars were like that 30-40 years ago. Now they all fly like a bat out of hell!

[SShultz460]

Nice!

My 03 Monte Carlo Rocks...I would love to own the new '04s that are supercharged to 260 hp! Raar!

[longtermmemmory]

finish socialism/communism. Each according to need each according to ability. They also have the government prepare the tax forms for you. The government tells YOU what you have to pay in taxes. ALL transactions have to be documented. It iz zee law.

[Oystir]

Same experience and about the same speed. 45 minute trip in about 12 minutes as I remember (20+ years ago).

[Johnny_Cipher]

I wouldn't live there or be subject to Finland's economic system on a bet. But I found their approach to speeders/traffic violators to be interesting.

[roadcat]

I took my hubby for a ride in town and he about freaked when we hit 100 going across a downtown bridge.

Oh gosh! And my wife complains when I go 85 on an empty interstate highway...

[Xenalyte]

ping!

[Sandmansleeper]

Some of the most fun I've ever had was at a special Corvette event at the airport in Stillwater, Ok. for ZR-1's.

Nothing gets the juices flowing like going zero to 145+ mph down an airport runway, petal to the metal, balls to walls, slammin gears at 7000 rpm,...if I have to explain, you wouldn't understand!

Some cars, like horses, are just bred to race; my '91 ZR-1 is one of them. BTW,I still drive it in the summer; still a thill @ 75 on the interstate. It takes a lot of self discipine not to speed on the highway.

[11th_VA]

I know most people think being a 'speeder' is a choice, but it's not, I was born this way. We deserve the same rights as everyone else, and not be penalized, just because we speed.

Not allowing speeders to be who we are is plain discrimination - speeding is not a crime, it's a lifestyle...

[Xenalyte]

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

You dated Bacon Man?

[BOBWADE]

Wasn't there some kind of story about some kid that got busted for selling video tapes of his 140+ mph ride on the internet?

[Benrand]

The record in the Cannoncall Sea to Shining Sea Trophy Dash is a Jag.

Brock Yates has a somewhat new book out that is a history of all those crazy races. It's compelling reading. Driving coast-to-coast with a driver like Dan Gurney in a Ferrari Daytona had to have been a thrilling experience, except for those times when mother nature called.

[supercat]

High speeds wouldn't matter as much if people would spread out.

And spacing equals (speed divided by entrance rate, minus vehicle length) [using dimensional analysis as needed, of course, to get units correct.

For example, at 50mph, if there are 30 cars per minute [per lane] and cars are 10 feet long, spacing will be (50mph / (30/minute)) - 10 feet in feet [137 ft]. At 60mph, (60mph / (30/minute)) - 10 feet in feet[166 ft]. So the faster cars go, the more widely spaced they'll be.

[Benrand]

cannonball, gumball...