Speeders outgun new limits

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

[Mike-o-Matic]

I think I can top that. I got pulled over on Valentine's day for going 45 in a 45 zone. Figure that one out. The cop must have been goofing around, or something, because he was going ~40 in a 45 zone. I changed lanes (legally -- with signal) and slooooowly creeped past him at the posted limit. The jerk drops in RIGHT on my bumper (no signal, either-- I was watching closely), tailgates behind me about 20' back for 5 seconds, then flicks on his lights on and pulls me over.

Obviously he had no basis, because he didn't even ask to see my license (I was driving my girlfriend's car, too... could've been stolen, not that he'd care). Didn't threaten to ticket me, either. But that didn't stop him from dumping a load of attitude on me (no exaggeration -- first words out of his mouth were "What's the matter, wasn't I going fast enough for you?).

Now we're talking about a cop who was virtually a kid, probably not even 25. Didn't look like his partner (who also exited the cruiser) was much older. If there's one thing that irritates me more than jerk cops, it's jerk teenagers (or immature early 20s). What a bad combination! Give that guy a pistol and you have a custom recipe for "power trip." I would've filed a complaint with the department, but the last thing I need is a cop with a stick up his rear looking for me to come back into his precinct. Just not worth it.

All this time, my girlfriend was in the passenger seat. We're still laughing at what a dink the guy was.

Anybody in here ever get pulled over for actually going LESS than the speed limit?

[FreedomCalls]

http://araldo.student.utwente.nl/LaPeripherique.mpg

[Mulder]

Due to the fact that I refuse to fly (I don't speak German), I've done lots of driving of late. Here are a few observations:

-- Modern vehicles in good condition on controlled access roads are easily capable of safely driving at around 85-90 MPH under good conditions.

-- The biggest traffic problems are not caused by speeders, but by tailgaters and those illegally using the left hand lane (i.e., driving too slowly).

-- The hardest states to drive through are those that routinely alter the speed limit from 70 Mph to 60 Mph or even 55 MPH. The reason for this is that many drivers simply ignore these lower limits, while some follow them, increasing the speed differential. Also, some vehicles simply can't accelerate or decelerate as quickly as a car, so now you have different rates of acceleration/deceleration causing cars to group up together.

-- Most speeding laws have nothing to do with safety and everything to do with stealing money from Americans.

[William Terrell]

No place to haul plywood and 2x4s. Maybe it has a trailer hitch?

[battousai]

We speed because our engines are bigger, our tires better, our suspensions firmer, our cabins quieter, our roads smoother.

Ah ha finally the facts, most speed limits today are artificially low on the highways that a designed for much higher speeds, basicly they are just another tax grab for the gubernment. Our wonderful new Liberal government in the province of Ontario even admited they were thinking of bringing back photo-radar because they needed the revenue.

If only they would do a study on how many accidents SLOW, that is those not going with the flow of traffic, drivers cause, I'm sure it would be quite interesting

[Atchafalaya]

I did see a segment on a Worlds Craziest Drivers or something like that where this guy in England had a Ferrari FI and videoed himself ripping through the gears up to 210 mph or so. Quite impressive; the engine sounds were exquisite. Well he put his video out on the internet; the local Bobbies got wind of it, tracked him down and took him down. Lost his driving privilages, fined him, etc. Fine video though.

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

Anybody in here ever get pulled over for actually going LESS than the speed limit?

I have seen it happen. Of course, the dufus was doing 20 in a 40 zone so he deserved it. I was right next to the cop, and by his reaction even he couldn't believe what he saw.

[Dan(9698)]

I used to go 230 in my turbo Centurian.

[IGNATIUS]

The first time I ever went over 100 MPH was in a 1939 Buick Century which belonged to a highschool pal (about 1952).

Believe me in those days this was an adventure with cotton cord tires.The sound of that big straight eight approaching 5000 rpm remains in the mind.

[breakem]

My wife got a pass from the CHP in Hacienda Heights CA on the 60 Fwy. Her aunts and mother were in the car and she was doing 80 in a 70. She told the officer that she was under the influence of senior citizens. He told her be careful and left.

[KangarooJacqui]

She told the officer that she was under the influence of senior citizens.

That's a good one! LOL!

[T. Jefferson]

If only they would do a study on how many accidents SLOW, that is those not going with the flow of traffic, drivers cause, I'm sure it would be quite interesting.

I took a written defensive driving test last year, the number one cause of accidents is people driving too slowly, WAY more of a problem than drunk driving.