New traffic laws in Illinois... - Page 3

Great Asp · #41 (**permalink**) 01-04-2011, 06:49 AM

I want to make clear that I understnad why there are speed limits and as a whole I obay the speed limits.

The limits are in place based a bunch of variables, including driver reaction, drivers that are not comfortable at higher speeds, road variables (pot holes, gravel on the road, rain, etc...) and of course the "average" vehicle.

I am sure there are folks on this forum that are capable, and their cars are capable of driving at higher speeds.

By the way, my first Cobra was totaled at 60 mph when a deer ran out of the woods and like a guided missle tried to ram my car. No one was hurt, bought a new Cobra, happy ending. But at a higher speed something like a deer could really ruin your day, and you, or your car, or road conditions have nothing to do with it.

E

tcrist · #42 (**permalink**) 01-04-2011, 09:51 AM

See, now using patrickt's logic, if you were driving faster you would have been past that spot before the deer ran out in front of you

patrickt · #43 (**permalink**) 01-04-2011, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrist

See, now using patrickt's logic, if you were driving faster you would have been past that spot before the deer ran out in front of you

... and if everyone would simply do as I told them to do, the world would be a better place.

mdmull · #44 (**permalink**) 01-04-2011, 11:09 AM

If this issue is REALLY about safety, it would be fairly simple to govern the top speed of any computer controlled car sold. After all driving is a privilege in this country. Let's say 29 mph above the speed limit. The technology exists today as a large but simple database combined with GPS would adjust the governed max based upon the speed limits on specific roads. Oh hell - let's make it 10 mph over & be extra safe.

Jerry Clayton · #45 (**permalink**) 01-04-2011, 12:39 PM

I think they are shutting down speeders in northeastern canada via gps/OnStar etc---exceed certain limits and vehicle goes to limp mode

patrickt · #46 (**permalink**) 01-04-2011, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Clayton

... and vehicle goes to limp mode

That happens to those of us with FEs under the hood. They go in to "limp mode" and you're lucky to just get home.

Excaliber · #47 (**permalink**) 01-04-2011, 09:31 PM

All I know is that Infineon race track is a bit on the slow side, in my opinion. I'd like to run a track with a longer straight section and try out 5th gear.

My favorite place to "speed" on a public highway is a freeway entrance ramp. I won't mention how fast that might be,,, but my car hit's a 100 mph in 8 seconds from a dead stop.

JBCOBRA · #48 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdmull

If this issue is REALLY about safety, it would be fairly simple to govern the top speed of any computer controlled car sold. After all driving is a privilege in this country. Let's say 29 mph above the speed limit. The technology exists today as a large but simple database combined with GPS would adjust the governed max based upon the speed limits on specific roads. Oh hell - let's make it 10 mph over & be extra safe.

You are kidding right?

lnfletcher · #49 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 06:43 AM

There is legislation being considered for large trucks to have speed limiting (governed) technology installed to be manditory in this country. First the Trucks, then the cars.

tcrist · #50 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 06:54 AM

Some if not all new cars already have that in a way. They are governed. Even my old 97 Chevy PU would not go above about 93 MPH and the governer would kick in.

JBCOBRA · #51 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 07:11 AM

Well, That would be the first thing that got disconnected...
Personally, I am tired of having to "Dumb Down" for ****ty inconsiderate drivers.
Drivers in the left lane on a highway with a bunch of cars behind them, creating road rage etc.. should get the biggest tickets of all. Even if they are going the speed limit!
@ssholes

Jerry Clayton · #52 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 08:17 AM

I sent a letter to the governor that they should control the speeding on the toll roads by issuing tickets based off the data from the I-Pass times between points---then they could spread the system to the other major roads---

Also I used some strong language about raising the Illinois limits to better match the rest of the country.

mdmull · #53 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBCOBRA

You are kidding right?

I just said that if the speed limits are REALLY about safety, and not revenue(or control) we already have the technology to fix this problem. All of the safety nazis should be 100% behind this.

john chesnut · #54 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 08:48 AM

Jerry, Do we access guilt to the owner of the vehicle or to the driver? How do you determine who was driving between check points. Do you install a driver identification system in the vehicle? D0 you hold the owner of the vehicle responsible for the actions of the person driving it.
As more and more vehicles have data acquisiton systems it will be a simple matter for every vehicles actions to be monitored. From there it is a simple step for the government to levy fines, access blame, control the vehicle, control us. It may sound good, in the name of safety, to go down this road. But, where does it all end? Call me paranoid, but I believe that all of our personal freedoms are at jeopardy.

Jerry Clayton · #55 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 09:02 AM

John--

we really need to step back from all the PC crap and enforce the rules we already have by whatever economical means are available.

I spent time in the military in the SERVICE of this country and for the safty of its citizens. We maintain this military for the protection of the country and it costs us a lot of money---we need the military and our police forces to protect the citizens rights and family safty---I honestly believe that the danger that I am exposed to the most often is the idiots going 90mph down the tollway whether they are on the phone or not---

They (communities and police forces) are all standing in line to contract out the speed/stop lite cameras to companies whose customer service depts are in India/etc when we have the means available to control the speeders already in place---they have cameras that take the pics of the non toll payers--whats the differance
The vehicle owner IS responsible for his vehicle, thats why he has the license and insurance--you should know who is driving your car at any time

JBCOBRA · #56 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 09:31 AM

The problem is,
It is Way too easy to get a driver's licence in the first place.
The skill sets of the typical driver are pathetic. No understanding whatsoever of the physics of an automobile, the common sense Rules of the Road, courtesy, etc...
In my state, the driver's test consists of this: Navigating cones at 15mph! Does this mean you are ready to drive in Rush Hour Traffic!?!?
To compound this total lack of skill and awareness,
Everyday I see people texting, eating, talking on the phone, yelling at the kids, reading papers etc...
Driving in packs between concrete barriers at 55- 65 mph, side by side, because a fool in the front of the pack just can't get up the balls to perform a simple pass around a semi, and then pull to the right lane, when there is wide open road ahead! Some Buffoons believe it is their Constitutional Right to sit in the left lane causing the most dangerous situations on the roads.
This mentality or lack thereof is my most feared situation on the road.
All it takes is one driver to spill their coffee, have a flat, miss text a word etc, and cause a pile up that will take me out with them.
This is by far the Most Dangerous situation on the road. It absolutely boggles
my mind
Education is the Key to solving this problem.
In the meantime, I will do whatever it takes to get myself out of these bad situations.

john chesnut · #57 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 09:53 AM

Jery, We have alot in common! We both drive Cobra's with Corvette suspensions and engines!! We both have served the public. I am not for speeding. I am for enforcing the laws. I am not for outsourcing to India.

I actually had a case go to the New Hampshire Supreme Court about who is responsible for a vehicle. I had a car stolen. It was involved in an accident with a motorcyclist. The motorcyclist sued me for damages. The amount sought was huge and could have ruined me. The case went to court to determine who had responsibilty in this instance. Fortunately the court ruled that the driver was liable not me. I know that this is an extreme example. But, there you go.

tcrist · #58 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 10:00 AM

John,

Had you loaned the car instead of it being stolen the outcome might have been different.

Jerry Clayton · #59 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 10:19 AM

John---

I agree that if the vehicle was stolen it isn't your problem----but if its a family member---

john chesnut · #60 (**permalink**) 01-05-2011, 10:27 AM

My deal was pretty complicated. I say stolen because the person driving didn't have permission to use the car. I had lent the car to my step daughter because her car was broken down. one of the conditions I put on loaning the car was that she was the only person to drive it. But, She let an adult friend of hers use the car. This person did not have a drivers license. This person had the accident. I argued that the car had been stolen because the person knew that they did not have a right to drive any car. I won.

I know that it sounds like I am making this up. I wish I were. It cost over $250,000 in legal fees. This case set a state precedent. While I didn't have any out of pocket expenses my insurance went through the roof for many years.