The Public Opinion Soapbox

Junk Yard · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 27 Location: Shippensburg

Please tell me where in this country, other than a professionally maintained racetrack, is speed over 65 MPH safe. I've been to Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and up the New England coast. I have yet to travel any road that is safe for excessive speed. And I-81 is definitely not safe, even at 55 MPH!!!

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3043 Location: Chambersburg

Welcome to the Forum, Junk Yard. We're glad you're here, no matter what they say! Wink

Don't let us run you off.

I'd love to give you an answer to your question, but being a former Atlantan, I have something of a lead foot. (DH thinks I'm trying to get a speeding ticket in every state.)
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Nevermind.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2569 Location: Chambersburg

What's excessive to you may be perfectly reasonable to someone else. Statistics have shown, time and time again, that speed is not a major, contributing factor to highway accidents. In fact, I'm not sure it's in the top 5. Most states, particularly in the south and northwest have speed limits above 70 MPH.

I-81 is relatively congested for a free-moving highway at long stretches. There is also a lot of tractor trailer traffic. But there are two lanes for a reason; use them. If you like to travel around the speed limit, then stick to the right lane. You won't have to worry about a thing. If someone wants to go 70-75 MPH, then they can safely pass you on the left. I agree there are problem drivers who pass on the right lane, but if you're being passed and you're in the left lane, then you're going too slow.

The speed limit has never truly been an absolute. State police will rarely pull someone over if they are 5-10 even 15 MPH over the posted limit, depending on conditions. Reckless driving and speed don't always go hand in hand.

And that's the key; speed is relative to conditions. Someone going 75 MPH on a clear sunny day may be safer than someone going 55 MPH in a thunderstorm.

After a little research, I have found that over 80% of highway accidents are caused by distracted drivers. While speed plays a factor in the safety of other drivers (stopping distance, etc.) the causes of most highway accidents are as follows:

7. Reaching for something in car
6. Grooming
5. Eating/drinking
4. Reading
3. Using a mobile phone
2. Operating handheld device
1. Drowsiness

Have you ever driven while doing one of the above? If so, you're more dangerous than any speeding driver.

Source: http://www.caamagazine.ca/caadvice_articledetail.aspx?ContentId=342
From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Virginia Tech

ZiggyStardust · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 59 Location: Chambersburg

aaand Coppy just owned the thread.

Bobo · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 173 Location: Chambersburg

Torgo · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:35 am Post subject:

Someone who blithely cruises along at 65, worrying about nothing, is far more of menace than someone who skillfully drives 75 and reacts (but not overreacts) to conditions.

All things being equal and assuming no stupid distractions...
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"The Master would not approve..."

Junk Yard · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 27 Location: Shippensburg

At least those of us that do obey the posted speed limit are saving money and precious oil resources. What will it take to make knuckleheaded speeders understand that they are a big part of the oil and gas price problems.It has been proven over and over again that a steadily maintained slower speed uses less fuel per mile than those IDIOTS that think 100 mph is to slow and they are constantly going from the gas pedal to the brake pedal. I have a twenty six year old son that drives a 6 liter, 6000 lb all wheel drive suv and he complains about how much it costs him to fill the gas tank. He is one of you IDIOTS that goes from gas to brake pedal back to the gas pedal constantly

Junk Yard · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 27 Location: Shippensburg

Furthermore, at 65 mph I dont have to weave in and out of traffic at those speeds just to beat someone to the end of the off ramp. The majority of the time I get passed on I-81, I end up behind the IDIOT at the off ramp anyway. So what was gained?? All that IDIOT obtained was a car length in front of me. Big Deal. I used less fuel and covered the same distance at a steady speed.

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3043 Location: Chambersburg

Careful. You don't want to pop a blood vessel and get your monitor all messy with the splatter.
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Nevermind.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2569 Location: Chambersburg

Hey Junk Yard...

"Don't drive angry."

lynnosler · Joined: 08 Dec 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Chambersburg, PA

West Virginia the speed limit is 70. I think that 55 MPH is ancient history and if you don't keep up with the traffic flow, you are bound to get run over.

wire1 · Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 11 Location: Shippensburg

JUNK YARD,

Take route 11, the traffic's slower. Just make sure you stay in the right lane.
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That light at the end of the tunnel is just a freight train coming your way.

anonymous_coward · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 548

anonymous_coward · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 548

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2569 Location: Chambersburg

Here's an idea; trade in your giant, gas-guzzling SUV or truck you use to commute to work by yourself every morning on I-81 and drive a practical, fuel efficient automobile.

I understand exactly how fuel economy drops significantly for every 5 MPH you travel over 55. But if I drive 70 MPH on I-81, I STILL get 30 MPG in my vehicle. That's 30 miles per gallon. The car is not miniature or a hybrid or anything like that; it's a practical automobile I use for commuting to work.

So how dare any of you call me the idiot. I don't want to hear the sob stories, get rid of the giant truck. Not only is its fuel economy what is REALLY causing our oil crisis (no matter how slowly you drive, grandpa) but it's also a danger on the road to other drivers who may have the misfortune of having you crash into them.

Yes, I agree that our car-makers are the real problem. They have no true incentive to promote vehicles that are either one or the other; either small, cramped and fuel efficient or overpowered, horsepower freakshows. Every car review on Earth, I don't care what publication it's from, touts horsepower and acceleration as defining characteristics of owning a status symbol automobile. But that's the real problem; that somehow cars are the ultimate status symbol now. That people don't just crave horsepower and acceleration in their luxury sedans, but now the true lap of luxury is the Hummer, the Escalade, and the Chevy-friggin-Suburban.

You're so quick to call people idiots Junk Yard? Perhaps you should look at the big picture. Do you really believe that the Honda Civic going 75 MPH on I-81 is a bigger problem than the Ford F-850 going 50 MPH?

And now people are actually fighting, and winning against, legislation that will require auto makers to up the standards of their fleet's MPG by 2010? So GM makes a bunch of FlexFuel and Hybrid cars that are overpriced and no one buys; this allows them to push their profit-monster-gas-guzzling crap at lower MPG because it's all an average.

I'm still going 75 MPH on I-81 (conditions and traffic permitting). I assure you, I am not the idiot.