Speed limits?

[ShockV1.89]

Ok, things have been a bit too serious in here. Maybe we should discuss something a bit less likely to get people all worked up?

 

Should there be speed limits in the US? Has the performance in automobiles progressed to the point where they can maintain speeds higher than 65 (NY, maybe different elsewhere)?

 

What would be the costs of removing such laws? Benefits? What changes would need to be made to execute such a decision?

 

Should it be everywhere? Just interstates and thruways? How about precedence? Look at Germanys Autobahn. Could that be mimiced in the US? Would it be worth the cost?

 

Discuss. (and if someone brings up religion, either to bash or praise, I'm putting needles through my eyes).

[Writer]

No speed limits would be fun!!!!

 

BTW, the speed limit on freeways where I live is between 65 and 75.

[Eldritch]

Down here in Florida it's 70 mph on major highways.

 

I'm not sure about raising the maximum speed limit, but I would definitely raise the minimum speed limit (for the highways). You wouldn't believe how many accidents are caused here in Florida by people driving 40 mph (or less!) in a 70-75 mph zone.

[SkinWalker]

Speed limits involve two major concerns:

 

1) Safety

 

2) Fuel Consumption

 

Speed limits were always the responsibility of the states from about 1901 until 1974, when Congress responded to the oil shortage of 1973 by directing the U.S. Department of Transportation to withhold highway funding from states that did not adopt a maximum speed limit of 55 mph.

 

The National Research Council attributed 4,000 fewer fatalities to the nationally imposed speed reduction and recommended against returning to higher limits after OPEC decided that the West was punished enough (and it's purses were getting lighter) since it would mean more fatalities.

 

Even in Germany, I noticed that the Autobahn, while it certainly had its stretches where you can "punch it," had limits. Particularly around major interchanges and as one approached cities. But I also noted that on the Autobahn it was rare to see a two car accident on the highway. This is because at 100+ mph, you get very little reaction time to make a life/death decision. I've seen pile-ups involving 20+ cars on more than one occasion and the resulting stau (pronounced shtowel, but drop the "l") can be 40 and 50 miles long.

 

Speed limits are a good thing... but its the most violated law on the books. I bet its violated more than copyright.

 

I doubt anyone can bring up religion in this topic

 

But it just occurred to me that, in Hondo, Texas, there's a sign at the city limits that says, "This is God's country! Please don't drive through it like Hell!"

 

I always make it a point to drive under the speed limit when I pass through there.

[Datheus]

Ick. No. We have enough maniac drivers already. High speed limits mean more force in a collision. The faster you go, the more likely it is you'll die...

 

I can barely stand to go 70 on the interstates. I can't imagine having to do 100...I've heard that in the desert (Nevada etc) they don't have speed limits. that's pretty understandable. Miles of straight road, miles of visibility and NOTHING to see...

 

Beyond that, I'd almost say that speed limits need to be lowered. People already go over there, maybe if we lower them they'll start going the speed we orginally intended for them to go..

[Kurgan]

If God had intended us to go faster than 65 MPH, he would have made us born with V8 engines!

 

 

J/k... sorry. Back on the serious note.

 

Yes, I concur with Skinwalker. There's also the issue of wear and tear on the roadways.

 

In the states here, there are a few places where you can go 75, or 70, but mostly it's 65 on the interstate.

 

Seatbelts are only supposed to really be effective at speeds below 40 mph, and I'm not sure about airbags.

 

Needless to say, the faster you go, the more fuel you consume and the less time you have to react to stuff. Certain roads it just doesn't make sense to go over a certain speed. Keeping up with the flow of traffic is important of course, but I think saving lives and fuel is good enough reason to have reasonable limits.