National Speed Limit

[Jerry Clayton]

Is this thread about a national speed limit for fuel economy or drivig etiquiet????

If it is about economy---it has already been proved that it doesn't work---all the trucks are geared for max fuel econ at higher speeds than 55, also comes issue of drivers time, distance traveled per shift, rest periods, etc, etc

Also the issue about the left lane being used for passing only just puts more wear on the right lanes causing more down/detour time for road repairs and during which time the traffic will be shifted to the left lanes causing further accerated wear factors. We really need to build a new interstate system of super hyways/bridges for HEAVY(commercial traffic to get the trucks off the present system and repair the present system for non commercial ( Lighter loads/cars) then speed limits could/should be adjusted for min/max speeds that would be monitered by the sat./gps systems already available.

It isn't about fuel economy, its about total energy use and the economy!!!!!

[Gatorac]

And what is it going to cost to put up all those new speed limit signs all over the country?

[tcrist]

Is this thread about a national speed limit for fuel economy or drivig etiquiet????
Your right, got off of the subject. Sorry about that. Good morning Jamo

[wtm442]

National Speed Limit, OK

5000 RPM in top gear.

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by tcrist

I should have stated that this is in my daily driving, not in the Cobra. Although that really should not matter. Anyway, I am not saying that the slower traffic should not stay right. What I am saying is, if I am driving the speed limit, why should I have to pull over for some a$$ that wants to drive 20 mph over the speed limit and instead of holding back at a distance until the driver in front of him gets into the other lane. They pull within 2ft at 65 MPH. That is just as wrong as staying in the fast lane. I am not saying that I am right, but either are they. .
Barnsnake, What if I am driving with the flow of traffic and some a$$ runs up on me and stays 2ft off of my bumper. I was told by a police officer once that if you feel uncomfortable about the distance someone is from your rear bumper to tap the breaks to let them know.

Anyone want to get started on the motercycle lane sharing crap. I have road motorcycles all of my life. I have never had the need or want to pass someone in the same lane doing 65-70 mph. This is at least a Calif thing. I dont know about anywhere else.

Terry

Terry,you really are a dangerous driver.By not noticing a car untill he's "2ft from your bumper"shows you don't pay attention.Further, it would be a moot point if you travelled in the travel lane NOT the passing lane.
And that "advice" the cop gave you was stone f'ing stupid.
Exactly what part of"the left lane is PASSING ONLY" don't you get?

And as far as "lane splitting" by MCs go-it's legal.Deal with it.Sounds like you need to move to Alaska,where the only thing that MIGHT pass you is a Polar Bear.

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by Ron61

Try driving slow in Europe in the outer lanes and see what it costs you. I don't care if there is no speed limit on the section of the Autobahn you are on and you are doing 100 MPH, when you pass any cars you are passing you had better get your butt back into the right hand lane. And that crap goes on up here in I-5 all the time. We have 3 lanes and they will all be backed up by some IDIOTS in the two outer lanes driving along passing no one and mostly well under the speed limit but making sure they are right next to each other and an 18 wheeler so no one can pass them. Then if they mess up and there is an opening as soon as a vehicle starts to pass they will speed up. California without doubt has the supedist and rudest drivers in the country.

Ron

Ron-you haven't been to Boston.

[Bobcat]

I used to travel the Country for my job and have driven in probably 80% of the States .... and stupidity ( and left lane drivers ) knows no bounds !!
As far as the 55 mph limit by the " Honorable " Senator Warner .... what an idiot ... yes , I`m a VA native and can say that . I remember the last time we had a National speed limit and it was a disaster . I used to see people driving the Interstates reading books , newspapers etc as it was so boring . In talking to a Trooper in GA one day , he was not happy with the new limit as , according to him , the accident rate was going up as people were paying even less attention than before .
It increased the amount of time I had to spend on the road greatly , and I saw no benefits .... as someone pointed out , vehicles are designed to run at an optimum speed ( at least now ) . But politicians have never been accused of have any common sense or thinking anything through .

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by tcrist

Is this thread about a national speed limit for fuel economy or drivig etiquiet????
Your right, got off of the subject. Sorry about that. Good morning Jamo

You know, I was just thinking about all the poor basturds in black Vettes driving around the 99/120 area that are gonna be coming up on you now...only to see brake lights.

[Ron61]

Bill,

You are correct that I haven't driven in Boston. But out here road rage has been so common for so long that they hardly mention it any more on the news. And most of it is just caused from pure stupidity and people not paying attention. The speed limit from here to Redding is 65 and then goes up to 70. The other day I followed some guy onto the freeway, ( 3 Lanes Wide ), and he entered it at about 40 MPH, drive across all 3 lanes and got in the fast lane and stayed there for about 2 miles backing up traffic. Then when he got to the place he wanted to turn, he just turned right and drove back across all 3 lanes to make his off ramp. He missed it due to some person that was really pissed refusing to lock up their brakes so he could cut through. When I turned off, that idiot was still going down the road ad about 40 with several people yelling and shaking their fists at him and the person that wouldn't let him into the outside lane where he should have been all along staying right beside him making sure he couldn't get to any off ramp. Now that was wrong too, but it is just a normal driving type incident around here any more.

Ron

[bran3b]

this bill would cost me money, when will they think about the little people that are driving fast just to make ends meet.

I have tested over the past few years, my BMW gets the best mileage around 75 - 80MPH, my wife's Toyota gets it's best mileage around 65. The Cobra uses gas too fast to tell any difference between 55 and 85. Each car is different and should be driven accordingly.

[Jerry Clayton]

The airways around the world have you fly certain speeds to insure separation---our river traffic travels certain speeds--the hiway system controls should be set up around set speeds---and they are way above 55mph!!! separate traffic according to its needs and you will have separate major shipping system between majot distribution centers---Hub and Spoke concept---
In the metro areas we need one way streets/roads where the traffic control timing is set at a speed that keeps you moving a an effient rate(not setting at a light)
If IKE was still around he would fix the system that he built and probably even straighten out a few other things in the world

[dlang14]

I actually find this one interesting. There is some perception that cars get better mileage at 55 (had this argument the other day with someone who swears by it) . I doubt this is true today, it may not have been true in the 70s but lets just assume it was. Todays average car is lighter, more aerodynamic, has at least one more and often two more gears in it (average automatic today is 4 or 5 speed), plus tires are better too.

I do think it would be interesting to know where the peak fuel economy would be (averaged). I'd bet it was around 65, more without the brick SUVs. I know my old Durango (sold it!) with a 5.7 Hemi did its best around 65. On a long trip I could get almost 20. Push the cruise control to 70 and it would drop at least 3 MPG. Push it to 75 and you're around 14/15.

Now in my accord I suspect peak would be 70 or even 75.

Having said all that the problem is even more complicated because you'd have to predict the impact on traffic patterns. If you lower the speed limit and assume cars will all drive 55 when in fact you create parking lots out of freeways our consumption of gas will go up.

I figure they need at least a 10 year study, which will of course be obsolete by the time its completed

[CHANMADD]

Even in South Africa in the late 80's early 90's they started fining selfish drivers that hugged the fast lane. It is selfish and dangerous. If you want to drive slow...drive in the slow lane..as said elsewhere the "fast lane" is supposed to be the overtaking/passing lane. Also even my Cobra gets better gas milage at 70 plus with the gearing that I have.

[tcrist]

Originally Posted by Jamo

You know, I was just thinking about all the poor basturds in black Vettes driving around the 99/120 area that are gonna be coming up on you now...only to see brake lights.

[tcrist]

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

Terry,you really are a dangerous driver.By not noticing a car untill he's "2ft from your bumper"shows you don't pay attention.Further, it would be a moot point if you travelled in the travel lane NOT the passing lane.
And that "advice" the cop gave you was stone f'ing stupid.
Exactly what part of"the left lane is PASSING ONLY" don't you get?

And as far as "lane splitting" by MCs go-it's legal.Deal with it.Sounds like you need to move to Alaska,where the only thing that MIGHT pass you is a Polar Bear.

I never said that I did not notice the car until they were 2 ft from me. Actualy I watch my mirror alot. I find it strange that no one on this site seems to think that it is wrong to speed and tailgate. You are more interested on putting the blame on some one that drives the speed limit. My first reason for even posting was to say that If I am driving the speed limit, why should I have to pull over for some one speeding. I think the law should be changed to state " slower traffic keep to the right unless you are driving the speed limit.
You guys want to let other people / drivers walk all over you while you cower to them, go ahead. The speeders and tailgaters are the bullies, not me. I was always tought, Fight for your rights. If you let people walk all over you then you might as well be a rug.

Terry

[Thieleng]

First of all most Californians are so far left they cannot move to the right. On subject we need to remember that the oil trade embargo of the seventies was the reason for the national 55 mph speed limit, we do not have a shortage of oil now, the pricing is caused by mostly speculation, monies move from varoius markets based upon the economy and the ability to place money where the most money can be made. I have switched from using my Chevrolet diesel dually as my commuter and bought a Nissan that gets over 30 mpg, the people that generally drive a Prius tend to be the worst as they think that they should regulate the speeds, especially in the left lane, more than any other driver. If someone thinks that they should have a national speed limit they should drive on highway 50 from Reno to Ely, Nevada or for that matter any other part of the state. Those that can afford the fuel should drive the way they please, nothing is better for me than getting the snob look from a Prius owner when I pull up next to them in the Cobra.

[Traveller]

I lived in California for 5 years and will NEVER live there again.

That's one eff'ed up state full of a lot of eff'ed up people.

Present company excluded of course .

[Jamo]

Of course.

[lineslinger]

I don't try play cop and clog up a lane because the guy behind me wants to run 12 mph faster than I do. Just move over and let them pass. Why is that such a big deal? If I see them coming in my rvm, from as much as a quarter mile away, I get the over and let them by. Hell, they get to pay the ticket not me. The guy that sits in the left lane and won't move the hell over is the one who is going to cause the accident.

[CHANMADD]

Driving at the speed limit ,which is the posted safe, deemed speed for that road,and the average persons driving ability is, certainly your perogative, but my driving at a "safe for me" 20 mph faster is mine too. Your selfish attitude of trying to force me to abide by your rule is dangerous ,to say the least.
As an example a certain stretch of road I travel has a posted speed limit of 55mph, the normal traffic speed is 65mph,and the cops will stop and fine you for doing 10 mph over the limit only if you are doing 75 mph...go figure that one. This has to tell you that blocking the fast lane at the "posted limit" deserves you being pushed out of the way and into the closest ditch.
And to add I practice what I preach and I always am the first to move over for a faster driver!

Originally Posted by tcrist

I never said that I did not notice the car until they were 2 ft from me. Actualy I watch my mirror alot. I find it strange that no one on this site seems to think that it is wrong to speed and tailgate. You are more interested on putting the blame on some one that drives the speed limit. My first reason for even posting was to say that If I am driving the speed limit, why should I have to pull over for some one speeding. I think the law should be changed to state " slower traffic keep to the right unless you are driving the speed limit.
You guys want to let other people / drivers walk all over you while you cower to them, go ahead. The speeders and tailgaters are the bullies, not me. I was always tought, Fight for your rights. If you let people walk all over you then you might as well be a rug.

Terry