| Author | Message | ||
     Jlnance |
Quoting Zxzer04 from another thread: Now granted, most riders seem to think that its ok to speed a little, but its not like they make the laws just to •••• us riders off. Brings up a pet peeve of mine. Why oh why, when we live in a democracy, can we not have a speed limit that people agree on? When I drive on the highway, every single car is speeding. If you were actually crazy enough to drive the speed limit, you would be lynched, assuming you didn't die in the accident you caused. People obviously don't like the speed limit, but for some reason we can't make it what we want it to be. And that sucks. I really don't like breaking the law. I particularly don't like riding down the road wondering if I'm going to get a speeding ticket because my idea of what a 65 mph limit "really" means differs from an officers. I could actually go 65, but thats not what 65 means, and I want the benifits that go along with it's real meaning. Anyway ... | ||
| Honu |
The LEO'S perception of your speed is what it is all about. A sportbike/sportscar vs a white cargo van all speeding. More than likely the sports car/bike will be pulled over first! | ||
| Lovematt |
I have a theory on this and given human behavior (as well as non-human behavior) it could make sense. I know that (and probably many others) feel the speed limits are too low especially on the freeways and so since most people are speeding it becomes a situation where whoever is speeding the most will get pulled over. In other words, the people that are driving differently enough than the rest to create a dangerous situation or is more noticable than the rest of the crowds behavior get pulled over. That is one part of the theory. Knowing the above, I would not be surprised if the speed limits were set based on an approximate speed that government does not want people to exceed, then estimate how much people are likely to speed over a posted limit, and then make that the speed limit. For example if people are likely to go 10-15 MPH over a given posted limit and government wants people to not go more than 80, make the speed limit 65. If the area is more open and there are less chances for accidents than make the speed limit 70 because going 80-90 is not as much of a problem out there. Personally I feel speed limits are way too low on the highways and freeways. I understand more gas is used at higher speeds but technology for cars and bikes are such that 90 MPH is not an excessive speed in some cases such as two or more lane roads per direction of traffic. This also assumes that people are PAYING ATTENTION when driving and have some sort of skill. However around residential and city/tight areas I think the speed limits are about right...the chances of an accident are much higher. I also feel that a speed limit should be "harder" in that if you do exceed that limit then you get dinged. So if the speed limit were 90 and you go 91 then that is grounds for pulling you over. This gives people a choice to go slower if they want on the right side lanes (say...60 MPH) and go faster in the left side lanes. This would of course bring up other problems but my feeling is that the higher speeds would amplify the current problems with people not paying attention, or doing other things while driving that they should not be doing, or a lower skilled driver doing things beyond their capabilities. But everyone has to learn and they make their own choices in my view. (Message edited by lovematt on April 29, 2006) | ||
| Ryker77 |
because we don't vote. we don't even registar to vote. nor do we vote truely informed. BTW if speed limits were raised then insurance cost would also increase. Even then the grey hairs wouldn't drive any faster thus creating more of a road hazard. | ||
| Alanshouse |
What you just described is quite like the German road systems. All of the diving I have done there and I rarely see accidents. Fast on the highways, slow through towns and residential areas. When driving on the autobahn you have to be constantly aware, something Americans can be really bad at. When you are on speed controlled roads hidden cameras will take a speeders photo and send him a pretty pricey ticket in the mail. Honestly, of all the countries I have visited in my life, I have to say American drivers are the worst. Granted it takes German's about a year to get their drivers license, but in the end it works good. | ||
| Patrickh |
It drives me nuts knowing that someone who is traveling at 60 in THE PASSING LANE or someone who changes lane without signaling is left alone, while a guy going 80mph on a highway a jumbo jet could land on gets a $300 ticket. | ||
| Cochise |
I can guarantee you, if they up the speed limit, the cars wil still drive faster. You could have a 100 m.p.h. speed limit and they'd do 110. | ||
| Midknyte |
Good points by all so far. Especially those that realize that while you might raise a speed limit, there's no way of raising the intelligence level of our generally poor drivers. | ||
| Lovematt |
I agree that insurance, possible accidents, etc. might all increase. However from my experience driving in many different countries outside the US for my work, I have driven 80-100 MPH with no issues...it is simply the caliber of driver or that they are actually paying attention to their driving. Even if the speed limits were increased, my point is that they should be "harder" in that if you go over them then it is grounds for getting a ticket. By increasing them to a point where you can actually get somewhere in an few hours time (driving from Los Angeles to San Francisco should not be an all day event baring any traffic issues) then it is up to the driver to decide how fast to go. I know it won't solve all problems...part of the problem is ding wacks surfing the internet, watching movies, talking on the phone, eating, doing make up, and who knows what else (sometimes multiple things at the same time) which reduces what little attention some drivers would actually put into their driving. I happened to have been better trained by my parents as well professionally which is where part of my opinion comes from. | ||
| Brineusaf |
When you are on speed controlled roads hidden cameras will take a speeders photo and send him a pretty pricey ticket in the mail. Hidden? Please... they are about 3ft tall x1foot wide yellow boxes on poles in the medians, and obvious cameras at certain traffic lights. I've seen tickets from the camera's come as low as 5$. German Autobahns are great, although rarely seeing accidents might be an overstatement. Stau - TrafficJam occur all the time, germans don't like to merge lanes, and when the road calls for it everyone waits until the lane ends. Accident do occur, and unlike our little highway clippings in the states, the accidents here almost always result in fatalities; which is what to unexpected with an unregulated area, but sad nonetheless. I don't think our government is willing to up the speedlimits just to keep people content, all while uping the fatality rate. Nothing like rounding a turn at 100mhp and coming up to a 5mph moving roadblock. Whats also hilarious is "flying" down the autobahn at 140mph and being passed by a "soccer mom" in an Audi as if you were parked. | ||
| Brineusaf |
Sorry about all blue... and by the way, in case someone is wondering; I drive the autobahn everyday to and from work. | ||
| Alanshouse |
You are probably right about the vehicular accidents on the autobahn. From my standpoint I haven't seen it, probably because I don't live there. The main point I was trying to make with that statement is that a great majority pay attention to their surroundings. For example, when I visit I drive my father in law's S500 220k in the passing lane with my left turn signal on. Eight of 10 times the vehicle in front sees me coming and moves out of the way. The passing lane in Germany is just that: the passing lane. You accelerate around a vehicle, then maintain your original speed. As far as the camera machines (I don't remember the term they use), you are right Brine, they are only a surprise if you are not a local. | ||
| Ulendo |
also has a lot to do with vehicle types, and top speed governors. until pickups and cargo vans are hard limited to 145kph ( 90 mph) car, minivans and suv's to 160(100 mph), and average sedans to 180, and those regs enforced my ANNUAL inspections like the old british MOT, upping the speed limits for vehicles like sports cars, exotics, and bikes that can do higher speeds safely is simply too dangerous. Problem isnt in the vehicles that can,its everyone and their dog wants to drive a pickup, or SUV at speeds comparable to a Diablo, through city traffic....even though they can go, they cant STOP like the Diablo once they get up to speed. I cant count the number of times some yahoo in a diesel 1 ton with no muffler has gone to cut in on my work truck, only to realise they're about to cut off a 9,000lb (empty) 3 ton flatdeck with 1/2" plate bumpers - the look of 'oh s**t, there's something bigger than me', is quite funny from my perspective. Also, I'm in Kelowna, BC - lots of older & retired folks here. Some drive just fine, no complaints from me, while others are so timid that, as described, they cause congestion, and the associated problems. unfortunately, no one wants to tell 'mom', or 'grandma' that she can no longer drive....again, until the system changes to utilise more frequent driver testing ( and re-testing), and is enforced, upping the speed limits isnt safe. $0.02, and rant done chris | ||
| Buellerthanyou |
 Honestly, of all the countries I have visited in my life, I have to say American drivers are the worst. Granted it takes German's about a year to get their drivers license, but in the end it works good. Right on, Alanshouse! IMHO, the reason that large numbers of drivers in the U.S. are so bad is that it's far too easy to get a driver's license. A person here can get a license at 16 years of age and never take another driving test (except maybe the vision test) as long as he lives. How many of us paid close attention in Driver's Ed when we were 16 and there was a hot girl/guy sitting next to us?  (well, of course WE did 'cause everyone knows that Buell riders are smarter AND get all the girls! ). Driving in this country is seen as a right, not a privilege. Anyway, in spite of my hatred of Big Government, I think it should be harder to get a license and skills/traffic knowledge should be retested periodically. So there! HellBuelly J "The civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his motorcycle." --Ralph Waldo Buellerson, "Self-Reliance," 1841 (Message edited by buellerthanyou on April 29, 2006) | ||
| Patrickh |
I agree that european drivers are better trained, and in fact I think a physics course should be required before a drivers license is issued, the problem in the US is the lack of a comprehensive public transit system. When I attended university in the UK, I could get from the front door of my flat in NorthWest London to a bus stop a 1/4 mile away from my girlfriends place in Kent by using public transit. Try that outside a major city in the US and you'll be very disappointed | ||
| Brineusaf |
Yeah, a popular thing is to drive in the passing lane at high speeds and just continuiously flash someone so they see you and move over. Accidents though are horrible, just imagine driving your car at 100+, losing traction on a turn, slapping the rail and flipping... you slide quite a way. Good thing is about german autobahns is that the germans do not reopen them until everything is off the road, i've seen FOD walks with less results.They do a good job. My in-laws are germans as well, they said something about a license taking more than a year to get and it costing like 1500 Euro, I am not sure of the truth in this, but that's enough to make me take the bus. I will NOT ride a bike on the autobahn, which is inconveinant at times; but I don't think a BMW would see me riding when he's flying by and don't see the point in risking it.  Plus, by staying off the autobahns you get to see the roads that Europe is renounded for. I wasn't trying to cut your comments down, just correcting is all, no offense intended.  | ||
| Alanshouse |
None taken my man, it's all good. You're right about the license being expensive too. | ||
| Diablobrian |
The Germans believe in, and enforce the idea of "driving right" Where you stay to the right unless you are passing. Americans do get their drivers licenses too easily. That is definitely one of the reasons they think of driving as a right rather than a privilege | ||
| Midknyte |
How many of us paid close attention in Driver's Ed when we were 16 and there was a hot girl/guy sitting next to us? ah, memories... I kid you not, the day I did my driving test, as I swung my head around to look out the back window, oh she was cute, sitting in the back seat with sheer black top & black bra. yep. "that's" what I remember from my drivers ed class... and not much else... | ||
| Brineusaf |
Priceless...  | ||
| Jlnance |
How many of us paid close attention in Driver's Ed when we were 16 ... I kid you not, there was a girl who sat next to me in drivers ed class and her parents had promised to buy her a Trans AM if she passes the class. SHE FLUNKED THE WRITTEN PART! I was rather horrified. | ||
| Cowboy |
Dont judge a driver by the gray hair,try falling in behind a 425 cat in a Pete pulling a triple decker pot belly Bull wagon. Check my profile I am 70. Cowboy | ||
| Ryker77 |
In germany the majority are cars, manual gearboxes, and have traction/stabilty control systems. In America we like big fat SUVs, auto trans, cheap tires, and no electronic saftey.. Minus an airbag for when we smash into things.. Thus I drive a VW car with the best tires! | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Getting, and then keeping, a German drivers permit (Fuhrerschein) is a major PITA -- I'm not speaking of the NATO/SOFA agreement that allows service members to pass the signs and the written test. In Germany you'll see nearly the same homogenized mix of motored vehicles as you would in any of the US states. You won't see a large number of big SUVs and if you do see them it's likely they'll be carrying a US tag. G2 | ||
| Seanp |
You should see the drivers here. If they miss their exit, they just go in reverse along the highway until they get back to it. The lane markers are only suggestions - often they use the lines as either a guide for their tires or sometimes as a guide for their hood ornament. They change lanes without signaling, looking, or having a reason. They go from the passing lane over to an exit violently and without warning. When they have an accident they leave the car on the side of the road for weeks. They cruise along at about 180-200 km/hr and pass in the breakdown lanes, (left and right sides!) The speed limits are just some extra signs to read to keep you occupied as you drive. The police don't seem to care if you blow by them at twice the speed limit... About the only thing they do right is to stay the hell out of the left lane unless they're actually passing. For that, I commend them. For everything else, they're crazy. |
