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Why have speed limits at all then? I've heard anecdotes of professional drivers getting out of massive speeding tickets because they know how to handle a vehicl
by Firehed 14y ago
Why have speed limits at all then? I've heard anecdotes of professional drivers getting out of massive speeding tickets because they know how to handle a vehicle at that speed (and presumably had the good sense not to be driving way faster than traffic if there even was any) and its certainly possible to get a speeding ticket when traveling under the limit if conditions do not permit.
Seems to me that they should be treated as good-weather guidelines (legally; that's already more or less the case in practice), and focus on the people driving recklessly - weaving in and out of traffic, going 10mph+ faster than everyone else, tailgating, etc.
- shitlord 14y ago> Why have speed limits at all then? Probably because not everyone (and especially teenagers) has "the good sense not to be driving way faster than traffic"
- Anechoic 14y agoWhy have speed limits at all then? Technically speaking, some states don't, at least not hard limits. For example, in Massachusetts, on roadways under MassHighway (well, now known as the MassHighway division of MassDOT) jurisdiction, speeds are supposed to be "reasonable and proper" (MGL Chapter 90, Section 17). Exceedance of posted speed limits are "prima facie" evidence of speeding, but not conclusive evidence, so it's technically possible to exceed the posted speed limit but not break the law if you can demonstrate that your speed is "reasonable and proper" (of course if you're not a lawyer or someone willing to spend a lot of money, this argument is not likely to fly in front of a magistrate). The MassPike and MassDCR roads require strict adherence to posted limits. There are several other states that use "reasonable and proper" similar to MA, but I'd have to look them up to give a list. For the other states, I suspect the absolute limits are in place for simplicity.
- shiftpgdn 14y agoTexas is a "reasonable and prudent for the conditions" state but good luck getting that argument to fly in kangaroo traffic court.
- csense 14y ago> professional drivers getting out of massive speeding tickets That seems unlikely. > Why have speed limits at all then? To reduce the frequency and severity of crashes. To give people a baseline for safe speed. If most people's usual driving speed is "10 mph over the limit," then the effective speed limit is simply N+10 mph, where N is the number on the signs. > tailgating It's easy to deal with this effectively on your own. If you're being tailgated, just take your foot off the gas until you're 10mph under the limit. The tailgater will pass you at the very first opportunity. It's magic!
- mitchty 14y agoSadly sometimes tailgaters don't get off your ass if you slow down. I slowed down to 30 once on a 70mph stretch before one guy finally passed while flipping me the bird. My new rule is to just floor it to get other cars in between me and them.
- dasil003 14y agoWow. To paraphrase Team America: that guy was an asshole and a pussy.
- mitchty 14y agoTo be fair its really uncommon, but it has stuck out quite a bit in my mind. The amusing part to me was he turned left only about a mile up so there was no real reason to stay tailgating (no off ramps up and coming). Just to note that I wasn't being a dick about things either.
- zevyoura 14y ago> If you're being tailgated, just take your foot off the gas until you're 10mph under the limit. This advice (slow down when tailgated) is also what's advised at MSF training courses for motorcycle licenses also. It sounds counter-intuitive, but in addition prompting the tailgater to pass it also gives you more space to maneuver if things get dicey.
- InclinedPlane 14y ago
- joelrunyon 14y agoWhy have speed limits at all then? Some speed limits were passed to help limit energy consumption - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Maximum_Speed_Law http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Maximum_Speed_Law
- brazzy 14y ago> Why have speed limits at all then? Because speed kills, plain and simple. It reduces the time you have to react to any problem, increases your braking distance and increases the damage and lethality of any impact. The latter two are affected with the square of speed. There are very, very good reasons to have a universal hard speed limit.