Do you obey the speed limit?

Lyadeia

I sense a lot of hostility in some people about fast drivers...especially "loved" being called brainless and worthless on page 2. But whatever...

To quote an over-quoted quote, lol...I feel the need, the need, for speed!

But in my defense, I do not tailgate slow people, honk my horn, flash my lights, or anything else like that. I only get in front of a car if there's plenty of room without them freaking out that we may crash. They won't ever have to tap their brakes when I get in front of them, lol.

I didn't buy a new Camaro to drive Miss Daisy.

Lyadeia

Only on the interstate. Everywhere else Im good. The reason is cops pretty much realize we are just trying to get to work or school, they dont care to much, as long as you slow down when you see them, shows your paying attention. I normally go about 80-85 on i75 (speed limit is 70). On the michigan highways I vary my speed greatly, especially when Im on the bike. There is one strip I will let out the throttle, its 50mph, but I normally do about 75 on it (so does all the traffic around me)

I am a police officer, and I don't stop people for speeding unless it is something grossly over the speed limit. I know other officers that stop people for 65 in a 55...I won't do it. I will stop people speeding in or near school zones, around daycares, hospitals, etc. no matter what. Doesn't mean they automatically get a ticket, but when there's a chance that a child or elderly person can't move fast enough out of your way, you'll get a nice lecture. But the best way to get a ticket from me? Try to tell me that I was wrong for pulling you over and give me a list of excuses that "prove" you know my job better than I do. Instant ticket there...

FrenchMob

This use to be my hobby so just take it from there:


I did win my class championship that year also.

Yes I speed, usually 10-15 MPH above posted, everywhere except in school zones.

Being as I design roads for a living, I know the highways have a design speed 15-20 mph above what the posted speed is. And that design speed is based more on "comfort" rather than any physics limitation.

xMissAprilx

Ah...I hardly ever drive anymore. However, I do speed if I know where I'm going. I have been known to zig zag through traffic. If I see a cop it has been either slow down before I get caught or if too late and I can get away, I do. Not proud and I know better. One of the reasons my husband drives everywhere. Other than the fact I don't even want to attempt to drive in Vegas. Lol

Teddyaderwich

I'm quite a patient driver but always tend to find myself above the speed limit on open roads - and HATE it when traffic is merging to one lane your in the left lane obediently crawling along and then someone comes speeding along on the right to squeeze in - as Long as they don't nip in front of me am ok - I always find myself moving my car out to block them and putting my *paddington bear* stare on - :-)

coatsie79

I do now yes. I got caught speeding once. It gave me a wake up call. Now I don't speed because:

a) How would I be able to live with myself if my speeding caused the death of someone?
b) How would I be able to look myself in the mirror every day if my speeding caused a crash and injured someone in my car, in another vehicle or a pedestrian?
c) If I don't speed I can't get caught speeding.
d) Does it really make a difference if I get home 5 minutes earlier?
e) Is it really that big of an inconvenience to set off for work 5 or 10 minutes earlier during rush hour?
f) Speed Limits are in place for a reason. Our safety and the safety of others.
g) Am I so childish to think well if the guy next to me is speeding, why shouldn't I?

FrenchMob

I do now yes. I got caught speeding once. It gave me a wake up call. Now I don't speed because:

a) How would I be able to live with myself if my speeding caused the death of someone?
b) How would I be able to look myself in the mirror every day if my speeding caused a crash and injured someone in my car, in another vehicle or a pedestrian?

Do you really believe that going 5-10 MPH is going to make a difference if someone lives or dies? Yikes.

c) If I don't speed I can't get caught speeding.
d) Does it really make a difference if I get home 5 minutes earlier?
e) Is it really that big of an inconvenience to set off for work 5 or 10 minutes earlier during rush hour?

Add up those 5-10 mins over a lifetime of driving. For example, assuming only 5 days a week for work, you waste an extra 65 hrs in only 1 year sitting in a car driving, or 95 days in a 35 year work lifespan. Yeah, 5-10 mins on a daily basis doesn't sound bad...but....I have better things to do with my life than sit in a car to get to work & back.

f) Speed Limits are in place for a reason. Our safety and the safety of others.

Speed limits are set by politicians, not science. There's a reason they recently increased the limits in Texas to 85 MPH on hwys. Oh, and so far, there's no increase in accidents/deaths associated with this increase.

g) Am I so childish to think well if the guy next to me is speeding, why shouldn't I?

So you're saying I speed because the person next to me is? Kind of a big brush you're painting with.

I speed because I get bored driving the speed limit set for the below average driver that wouldn't know car control if it hit them in the face. To me, being bored is more dangerous than actually speeding. When I'm speeding, I'm more alert and aware. Maybe it's from my racing background. All I know is I've been driving almost 25 years and I'm accident free with a daily return commute of 90 miles....all while speeding.

coatsie79

I do now yes. I got caught speeding once. It gave me a wake up call. Now I don't speed because:

a) How would I be able to live with myself if my speeding caused the death of someone?
b) How would I be able to look myself in the mirror every day if my speeding caused a crash and injured someone in my car, in another vehicle or a pedestrian?

Do you really believe that going 5-10 MPH is going to make a difference if someone lives or dies? Yikes.

c) If I don't speed I can't get caught speeding.
d) Does it really make a difference if I get home 5 minutes earlier?
e) Is it really that big of an inconvenience to set off for work 5 or 10 minutes earlier during rush hour?

Add up those 5-10 mins over a lifetime of driving. For example, assuming only 5 days a week for work, you waste an extra 65 hrs in only 1 year sitting in a car driving, or 95 days in a 35 year work lifespan. Yeah, 5-10 mins on a daily basis doesn't sound bad...but....I have better things to do with my life than sit in a car to get to work & back.

f) Speed Limits are in place for a reason. Our safety and the safety of others.

Speed limits are set by politicians, not science. There's a reason they recently increased the limits in Texas to 85 MPH on hwys. Oh, and so far, there's no increase in accidents/deaths associated with this increase.

g) Am I so childish to think well if the guy next to me is speeding, why shouldn't I?

So you're saying I speed because the person next to me is? Kind of a big brush you're painting with.

I speed because I get bored driving the speed limit set for the below average driver that wouldn't know car control if it hit them in the face. To me, being bored is more dangerous than actually speeding. When I'm speeding, I'm more alert and aware. Maybe it's from my racing background. All I know is I've been driving almost 25 years and I'm accident free with a daily return commute of 90 miles....all while speeding.

- Yes 5 or 10 MPH can mean the difference between life or death.
- 5-10 mins on a daily basis doesn't sound that bad because it isn't.
- Speed limits are set in conjunction with local authorities, transportation agencies, the police, injury and fatality statistics etc. The type of road and the changes in vehicle safety (bodywork, ABS breaking, airbags etc) have seen recent changes to speed limits that you mention.
- I didn't comment on the reason why you speed, I commented on the reason I don't.

TheRoadDog

Yep, these days I am a pretty safe driver. Try to go with the flow. I've wrecked a bike or two and paid more than my fair share for speeding tickets, reckless driving and insurance premium.

Haven't laid a bike down since 1984. I'm not always first to arrive but I always show up.

sharonsjones

I thought the speed limit was just a suggestion. Haha.

It's not!? Thats the problem!!

rml_16

I usually do about 5 over on city streets and 10 over on the highway.

Of course, that's when I'm not stuck behind people doing 15 BELOW.

otr12

I speed because I get bored driving the speed limit set for the below average driver that wouldn't know car control if it hit them in the face. To me, being bored is more dangerous than actually speeding. When I'm speeding, I'm more alert and aware. Maybe it's from my racing background.

AMEN!
The worst is people who accidentally speed. If you don't know how fast you're going you're not paying enough attention to safely drive fast. I never don't know exactly how fast I'm going. Everyone with a decent racing background has developed their speed sensing abilities, high performance vehicle control, and always has an escape route planned in case anything imaginable goes wrong. What you do with your right foot has a very small part in the fast equation. Try explaining slip angles to a 23 year old female in a *****tegra and you'll likely get the finger. I don't think there's a paved mountain road I've ever been on that doesn't have a set of skid marks starting just before the apex and making a straight line into the brush. That's what happens when you have a panic reflex that makes you slam on the brakes. It's not speed that kills people it's lack of vehicle control.

argharna

I go way over the speed limit most of the time but when my kids are in the car then I only go 5 over.

EPICSRT

Uh, speed limit?! Nope, can't say that I do:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0m53bUQ4g4&feature=youtube_gdata_player












Okay, okay......if the helmet and info about the video didn't give it away, this was actually at a sanctioned racing event.

foremant86

I use to speed but after 4 tickets and realizing it's a waste of gas and doesn't actually get you anywhere faster in any measurable amount of time, i have stopped. I'll go a couple over the speed limit to keep the flow of traffic going but that's usually it.

I always laugh at the morons that go flying past me and weave in and out of traffic only to meet up with them at a red light a short distance later....idiots.

Pebble321

This is a fascinating topic. I think the most interesting thing for me is the people who won't speed with their child on the car or near a school.
Does this mean that if you have a speed related accident and hit someone else's car who has their child with them that it's OK? Or that if you have an accident on the highway and injure an adult it's not a problem?
Curious.

brianward81

This is a fascinating topic. I think the most interesting thing for me is the people who won't speed with their child on the car or near a school.
Does this mean that if you have a speed related accident and hit someone else's car who has their child with them that it's OK? Or that if you have an accident on the highway and injure an adult it's not a problem?
Curious.

This. It's this double standard that is so infuriating.

"If my kids aren't in the car I'm willing to risk my life and others. If my kids are then without their mother or father, it was worth it to get there 2 minutes quicker. LOLZ".

Also; "It's not speed that kills people it's lack of vehicle control." No it is both. You speed which gives you less control and less margin for error therefore you can't control your car or brake as fast which results in accidents.

ninerbuff

I use to speed but after 4 tickets and realizing it's a waste of gas and doesn't actually get you anywhere faster in any measurable amount of time, i have stopped. I'll go a couple over the speed limit to keep the flow of traffic going but that's usually it.

I always laugh at the morons that go flying past me and weave in and out of traffic only to meet up with them at a red light a short distance later....idiots.

If 2 people drove 15 miles and one drove 55 and the other 70, the difference in arrival time is about 3 minutes. I don't think risking the life of others at 80-90 miles an hour is worth an extra 5-7 minutes.

Pebble321

This is a fascinating topic. I think the most interesting thing for me is the people who won't speed with their child on the car or near a school.
Does this mean that if you have a speed related accident and hit someone else's car who has their child with them that it's OK? Or that if you have an accident on the highway and injure an adult it's not a problem?
Curious.

This. It's this double standard that is so infuriating.

"If my kids aren't in the car I'm willing to risk my life and others. If my kids are then without their mother or father, it was worth it to get there 2 minutes quicker. LOLZ".

Also; "It's not speed that kills people it's lack of vehicle control." No it is both. You speed which gives you less control and less margin for error therefore you can't control your car or brake as fast which results in accidents.

Exactly!

JEK717

New driver....so i obey it

bigdawg025

I go 5-10 miles over on average... pretty much standard in town or out on the open road. If I'm really in a hurry to get somewhere I will push the pedal a little to make up some time and keep my "cop eyes" open a little wider. LOL

barbiex3

I'm on island time. I have nowhere to be in a hurry. I give myself enough time to take it easy and jam out to the Bobs (Marley and Dylan).

hehe this is me!!! I also have gotten a speeding ticket, but that's probably because i got a speeding ticket when I was 17, so it kinda taught me right away that there really is no need to go faster. I prefer passing people in with my fitness in actual races than on the freeway ;P !

arw060310

I speed. I don't remember the last time I ever went the speed limit, or even paid attention to it. I weave, speed, tailgate, you name it. I'm scary to drive with lol. But I fit right in with the rest of the drivers in Kentucky. Compared to them, I drive like a granny

3ricaAnn

Funny you ask this. I just got a speeding ticket (my first ticket ) yesterday. I was going 63 in a 45. It was on a back road so I was so mad and thought the cop was just going to give me a warning becasue he pulled up beside me instead of pulling over but no I have a ticket now.

MusicKeepsMeSane

In the city, I tend to go up to 5 over the limit unless I'm in a school zone or residential neighborhood. When it comes to the highway... I have a need for speed... but I slow down when I start approaching an area where I know the cops like to hang out and catch people in speed traps. Never gotten a speeding ticket. *knock on wood*
The only time I'll intentionally drive slower then the speed limit is if someone starts to tailgate me.. it annoys them.. hehe xD

brattyworm

I tend to try out the max speed in each of my vehicles. However, I only do this on open highway roads when others are not around. I also test out vehicles on ice (when we lived where there was)... Also when others are not around so that I know how each of my vehicles handle.

I also am slower when other peoples kids are in my car or my pets (i dont have kids). But if i do drive a little faster in the city I ensure I am paying attention and know where all the cars around me are and anticipate their moves. If it looks like one is going to cut me off or doesn't see me (happens a lot when not in a big ole pickup) then I put myself in a position to let them or get out of their way.

So for those who are knocking on the ones who drive fast 'putting others in danger'... well if you pay attention and anticipate its not really putting others in danger... Its staying away from the others who don't pay attention.

calliope_music

i usually don't, save for school zones and places i know the cops hide!

mandasimba

My p.o.s. can barely even get to the speed limit, let alone surpass it >:(

pain_is_weakness

I set the cruise control at 65 on the freeway, 70 if the limit allows like on some parts of highway 5. I do not drive in the fast lane unless i am passing, and I do speed up to pass because I don't like being in someones blind spot too long, and I hate when people do that to me. So ya, I obey the speed limit, I did not always but after I became a parent I really did change a lot of habits. If i am running late, I set the cruise control for 5 miles above the limit! But I never make people go around, I hate that!

ESVABelle

It depends on where I am. I do NOT speed in Wichita. However, I will go 4 over. They don't start ticketing until 5 over. Base rate of $90 for 5 over and $5 for every additional mile over. Yes. I learned this the hard way. Hence why I don't speed in Wichita.

Interstate? Uhm...don't look at my speedometer or my GPS. My car becomes interstate aircraft...