"I drive 55mph" on the 65mph interstate.

[101Volts]

Originally Posted by tjts1

BINGO


It is the required minimum and in some places is strictly enforced by everyone, except for the few self righteous assholes blocking traffic.

You're right. The interstate highway system was originally built for 70mph, back in the bad old days of bias ply tires and drum brakes.

I don't know for sure but I get the feeling you need some green tea and a vacation of some sort. If you don't have any plans this Saturday I do recommend just laying back that day to read something, Off of the computer - No work, Just rest.

It's up to you though, Not me - I think you'll know better than I do.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by tjts1

Yeah, tell it to the cops as they're slapping on the cuffs and stuffing you into the back seat of the cruiser. I'm sure they would love to hear all about your self righteous little theory.

Just wanted to save this lil bit of gold for posterity- you can't edit your way outta this gem tits.

He should have access to a nice beach; when I was in Cali I loved to go there and think.





OK, I went there to watch the girls.

[101Volts]

Today I went 65 for a short while and I didn't sleep last night which didn't help me perceive how fast I was going so well, But I think 65ish is too fast for me.

No car accidents happened but I do recommend sleeping the night before driving.

[sendler]

Follow the slowest truck you come up behind. No slower. If the truck you are following passes an even slower truck. Then just stay behind that one. Stubbornly going too slow forces all the other slow moving vehicles that would normally just stay in line to use the left lane to get around you. Which makes everyone less safe. Cohabitate and cooperate on the roads. The slow line of trucks will be 2 mph under the limit. This is slow enough. Going any slower than this is just making a problem.

[cbaber]

Originally Posted by sendler

Follow the slowest truck you come up behind. No slower. If the truck you are following passes an even slower truck. Then just stay behind that one. Stubbornly going too slow forces all the other slow moving vehicles that would normally just stay in line to use the left lane to get around you. Which makes everyone less safe. Cohabitate and cooperate on the roads. The slow line of trucks will be 2 mph under the limit. This is slow enough. Going any slower than this is just making a problem.

So semi trucks can decide how slow they want to go, but I can't? If a truck can only go 55 mph why is that acceptable and safe, but when I go 55 mph it's considered stubborn and less safe? I have the same right to the roads as a trucker does. And it is safer to drive slower. The idea that slow drivers are responsible for other drivers' mistakes is just plain wrong. Driving slow for the purpose of getting better fuel economy is not stubborn. The belief that everyone has to drive at least the speed limit is stubborn.

Show me an example where my safe, legal, and responsible driving at 55 mph would cause another person who is driving safe, legal, and responsible to have an accident, simply because I was driving 55 and they were driving the speed limit.

I get what you are saying, about other vehicles having to pass. Do I cause my lane to slow to my speed? Yes. But it's every drivers responsibility to navigate the highway safely. I'm not responsible for making sure soccer mom in her minivan maintains a certain average speed. I'm not responsible for accidents that happen because drivers around me make mistakes or practice bad driving habits (following to closely, merging with a car in the blind spot, etc.).

You have to understand, the people that want to drive faster are the ones responsible for merging safely and navigating the highway at the speed they choose. Slowing down for traffic, or having to pass is just how it works on the highway. It's common knowledge and in fact law in many states that the right lane is the slow lane, and the left lanes are for passing. As long as I stay to the right, I am not causing any problems while driving 15 below the limit.

[AntiochOG]

I just made a 7 hour road trip a few weekends ago and drove 55 the entire way in what was mostly 65 zones. It took a little longer, but it was totally worth it to get 47 mpg in unmodded 2007 Fit rated 34 mpg hwy. Most cars got out of my lane plenty of time in advance and no one appeared to be upset.

[doviatt]

Truth is if everyone was responsible and accountable for their own safe driving and looking out for others we would not need speed limits or restrictive laws.

[campisi]

Originally Posted by cbaber

You have to understand, the people that want to drive faster are the ones responsible for merging safely and navigating the highway at the speed they choose. Slowing down for traffic, or having to pass is just how it works on the highway. It's common knowledge and in fact law in many states that the right lane is the slow lane, and the left lanes are for passing. As long as I stay to the right, I am not causing any problems while driving 15 below the limit.

Amen to this. It is ALWAYS incumbent on the vehicle doing the passing to do it in a safe manner. Has nothing to do with the vehicle in front of him or how fast he is going.
Personally, I don't do 55 in a 65 or 70 zone but I do run no faster than 60 (my own personal comfort level). I try to stay out of the way of the maniacs in the left lanes () and only venture over there when some idiot () is running slower than I am and blocking the right lane.

[doviatt]

In reviewing this thread I realized some context of point of view is in order. My commute is minimum 3 lanes wide and usually 4-6 lanes wide in each direction with plenty of passing room to my left. 2 lane highways require different tactics, methods and skills. Still; safety is the responsibility of ALL and especially anyone overtaking.

Any aircraft pilots here?
They will agree with their rules. All slower and less maneuverable aircraft have the right of way. Think of a hot air balloon or a blimp -vs- a small powered aircraft or even a passenger jet for that matter. The balloon wins right of way rules (within it's defined airspace) because it only has altitude control and zero directional control. The higher speed, more maneuverable aircraft are required to be aware of, see, and avoid ALL other aircraft. All pilots are absolutely responsible for their own safety and avoidance of others.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by cbaber

So semi trucks can decide how slow they want to go, but I can't? If a truck can only go 55 mph why is that acceptable and safe, but when I go 55 mph it's considered stubborn and less safe?

A group of vehicles is a consensus. Get in line and do not continually force a long duration pass by the next slowest, and very clumsy vehicles. 63 mph and following at 2 seconds will give better economy and safety than leading out on your own at 55. A lone vehicle that far outside the norm is an aberration. Other drivers are not expecting this on a super highway. Which increases risk to all. This cannot be denied. When I want to ride the scooter to work at 50 mph, I stay off of the interstate. Running that speed on a 65 mph interstate would be completely rude and unsafe.