Since when is going the Speedlimit BAD?

[smileyeagle1021]

Mytical, to answer part of your question about why the speedlimit is bad and people tailgate and all that is because, quite frankly, some roads really are designed for a higher speed than what has been set as the speed limit (there is a really bad one in between Reno and Carson City, it was originally built with the idea that it was going to later be converted into a freeway, and it was never converted, so still a 50mph speed limit even though the curves and grades etc were built for 65mph)... a lot of the people who are on that road aren't paying attention to their speedometers (they're watching the road, fancy that) and they don't realize that they are in fact going 15 over, they just know that you are going a lot slower. Not excusing them being rude, but just giving the view from the other side of the bumper as it were.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Well, they might not know the limit, and they might not know how fast they are going, but they DO know they are following too closely to the car in front.

And I would assume they would have to know if a wreck happens while they are doing it, they are at fault. Always.

That is the thing I can't get my head around.

[Geek King]

I'll also throw into the mix the fact that in some areas of the US, going the speed limit is actually tickitable if the prevailing trafic speed is faster. There was a study of high-traffic california freeways that showed on cause of traffic backups was slower vehicles causing faster trafic to back up behind them, and causing ripple-effect slowdowns as backed-up cars pulled into faster lanes to pass. Many of the cities in the study are beginning to ticket slow-moving traffic to try and stop some of the massive traffic jams that happen everyday.

[mattm04]

Most highways on my area are 65 with most traffic going between 70 and 75. I usually do 70. The biggest problem is when it goes from 65 to 55 in places. Most people continue between 65-70, however some do slow down to 55 but don't move to the right and loiter in the center or left lanes.

[fireheart]

Try being required by law to go 20km/h slower than anyone else.

Prior to September 4th, the law in my state was that learner drivers could go 80km/h MAXIMUM with someone else in the car. If you were driving in a car that was marked as a driving instructor's car AND had a dual brake in it, you could go 100km/h.

To get to a friend's house there are stretches of road I have to go 80km/h on. Absolute nightmare when everyone else is tooting their horn at you because despite the fact your car is marked with yellow and black L plates. (I will be SO glad to switch to the P plates soon)

[roothorick]

(Note to non-uk residents: the speed limit is a statutory max - you CAN get a speeding ticket for 71mph, although they tend not to do anything until 78/79.

What makes you think it's any different on this side of the ocean? Though here in the US, the cops only use it as an excuse to pull over "suspicious" vehicles (they need a valid reason to pull you over or they can be written up or discharged) unless you're going significantly faster than traffic, or on empty roads, more than about 10 over. (Part of the reason is, a 0-5 ticket is so little a fine, even after repeat offenses, that it's simply not worth the PD's time.)

[Mytical]

Yeah, they can pull you over for going 1mph over the posted speed limit. Or under the posted minimum speed limit (some interstates have minimums as well). Never been pulled over, except for them to let me know I forgot to turn on my lights all the way (had the 'parking lights' on but failed to turn the main lights on for some crazy reason). On the way back I did once hit 80, and had a cruiser pass me as if I was driving backwards or something. Of course much more expensive looking vehicles were passing me up, so probably had bigger fish to fry..or was late to clock out.

On the way back from Atlanta..I swear something or somebody was looking out for me. Should have been a smear on the highway at least twice going up, and three times coming back. One time was because of my blindspot and WAS my fault, the others..not so much. It was insane..even at 1am in the morning.

[ditchdj]

What makes you think it's any different on this side of the ocean? Though here in the US, the cops only use it as an excuse to pull over "suspicious" vehicles (they need a valid reason to pull you over or they can be written up or discharged) unless you're going significantly faster than traffic, or on empty roads, more than about 10 over. (Part of the reason is, a 0-5 ticket is so little a fine, even after repeat offenses, that it's simply not worth the PD's time.)

A former cop told me that any cop who writes for 3 or less over is an ass, unless you're being one and deserve the biscuit.