Newish Highway Speed Limits

[MrAl]

Hello there,

This past weekend i traveled a lot more than usual. Most people probably travel 10 times more than i usually do in any given time period. But anyway, i didnt drive, and the trip was around 60 miles and most of it being on super highway Rt 78 between New Jersey and PA.

What surprised me the most was many of the people were doing around 80 mph (80 miles per hour). The speed limit was raised to 65 mph a while back, and now they do 80 or so. Back when i was driving back and forth to work some 20 miles each way, the speed limit was 55 and people might do 60 to 65 mph and i thought that was fast, and dangerous. But now the speed is so much increased that it seems really nuts to go that fast (like 80) because the potential for disaster is increased several fold. Even if the smallest thing goes wrong with the car it could easily mean death. Not just for you but anyone else around you on the road who might also inadvertently get involved due to the sheer proximity.
Not only that, but some cars still tailgate other cars at distances of only maybe 10 to 15 feet. If anything breaks off of the car in front it could cause the car behind to crash and burn.

So what i have to wonder is how is this kind of driving speed justified? Is the time saved (which isnt that much really) worth the risk?

What speed do you guys drive at normally on highways, if you dont mind saying.

It would be nice to hear other peoples opinions about this, thanks.

[abscate]

I think I even commented on this on my last NJ trip. I usually drive 72 mph on cruise in a 65 zone, but NJ on I278 median speed was closer to 80 by my observation. 80 mph will get you a big ticket in NY state, 75 is probably 50-50 for getting ticketed, 72 is very safe

[Rondo]

I confess, I'm a bit of a leadfoot. Most of our highway speed limits here in Florida are 70 and I frequently find myself right around the 80 mark with cruise on. Off the highways, I'm pretty conscientious, especially with the uber vigilant sheriff departments here.

[dosbricks]

Now that I'm an old geezer, 65 seems fast enough. I'm retired and not constrained by schedules like the working world, and as abscate noted in a concurrent thread, the mpg is better when not pushing so much wind.

On the causeway into the city the limit is 65 and most people are doing 75-80mph. When I was a youth I used to rail about old farts that got in my way, but now I'm at the phase of life where one smells the roses more, enjoys the early light on the water, etc. and say to heck with the hurry-scurry set. Let them go around--that's what they have a turbo for.

I do keep a more regular check in the rear view mirror for the stoned-by-their-phone kids.

[850 LPT]

All this depends a little where you live and the traffic patterns you might find. I agree that driving fast (above 70mph in the NYC area) can be dangerous. This is because the traffic is usually dense and the roads are downright dangerous.
This morning I was going down I-684 at about 70 when a person in a new Honda Accord just blasted by me. He had to have been driving 90 or more, swerving in and out of lanes. That is super dangerous.

It's a different scenario in Germany , where I'm from. I remember going down the Autobahn in my Ford Capri at about 120mph, only to be passed at that speed by big Benzes, Bimmers, Porsches etc. That's no big deal over there even today. What's different is that people have respect for the left lane and stay out of it. Also you are absolutely not allowed to pass on the right, and nobody does it (for the most part).

When I visit I borrow my dad's Ford Focus TDCi and every now and then when there is no traffic I take it up to about 110mph. That's the top speed for the little diesel but loads of fun.

Dirk

[abscate]

Also you are absolutely not allowed to pass on the right,

In Germany, its not just a ticket, you can lose your license for this.

[tryingbe]

I got these for a reason.

[erikv11]

So what is it?

[Ozark Lee]

What's different is that people have respect for the left lane and stay out of it.

And that is huge. Driving on the Autobahn is like a symphony, it is so perfect.

I had an Opel Cadet that maxed out at about 185 kph but the guys in the big Bimmers, Porsches, and Benzs would just flash their lights about 500 meters back and I was well clear of them by the time they got there. No one ever had to even think about lifting.

The one that got me in trouble on day one was the flashing yellow light before the green but at least I am a fairly quick study and I only had one irate guy behind me and that was only once.

...Lee

[precopster]

The key lock is half way up the trunk surface........ Must be Italian