Speed | TheaterFire

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BongSaber_00@reddit

What's your tire size? Is it different from what's on the door sticker?

My car drives at least 5 miles slower than the speedometer because my tire is larger than the factory size for my car. So I have to go 75 on my gauge if I want to go 70 and isn't noticeable until I go up to about 40, but I'm actually going roughly over 35mph.

There's a tire calculator online that can tell you how fast it will offset the speed of your car from a factory sized tire if that's the case.

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Daruvian@reddit

You are backward. If you put a larger tire on, you will travel farther per rotation of the wheel, which means your speed is actually higher than what is shown on the speedometer.

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BongSaber_00@reddit

"Up-sizing, or installing a taller tire, will lead to a speedometer reading that is slower than your actual speed. This is because a taller tire will have a larger overall circumference, causing it to need to travel more distance per revolution than the original equipment tire"

"Speedometer readings are altered by changing the tire height because most vehicles measure speed within the transmission based on tire revolutions."

discount tire

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Daruvian@reddit

Exactly. "A speedometer reading that is slower than your actual speed."

That means you are going faster as I said...

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BongSaber_00@reddit

The speedometer is faster, yes, not the car. Thus, is why my speedometer says 75 when in reality I'm going 70. If I was not aware of this I would be driving 5 miles slower than the posted speedlimit.

The speedometer measures axel speed, the axel is spinning faster the car isn't going faster or slower if the tire to the transmission was 1:1 then you would be right in this case

maybe I should have worded my initial comment better.

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Shatophiliac@reddit

It’s really up to each driver and your results will vary by location, but I personally prefer to keep up with traffic (within reason) than stick to the speed limit. If everyone else is going 10 over or so, I’ll go 10 over too. And it’s purely to not be in the way of traffic. I’ll happily go the speed limit but not when even 18 wheelers are passing me. The chances of being pulled over in those places are slim to none. Where I live, speed enforcement is basically nonexistent, which is why everyone is speeding in the first place.

If conditions and/or traffic necessitates driving the speed limit or even below it, I’ll happily just cruise along at those speeds too.

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robomassacre@reddit

I'd say just go with the flow, unless you don't feel safe. You can always pull over to let faster traffic pass as well

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apollyyyon@reddit

Speed limit is legally correct and will likely prevent you from getting tickets, and ideally everyone would follow the speed limit. Socially however, you're usually expected to go with the flow of traffic.

If everyone is going 45, and you're going 35 and everyone else has to go around you, you're considered somewhat of a "nuisance" because you force the rest of the traffic behind you to slow down and go around. You become an "obstacle" rather than just another driver, and risk pissing people off (but again, ideally you'd be fine and nobody would care)

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Hungry-Access-1093@reddit

While ideally going the speed limit is great, I'd argue there are situations where it is not, in fact, safer. Let's take, for example, the situation you described. In this instance (going 10mph slower than the surrounding traffic), you will be: tailgated, passed on the left/right, and cut off by the people passing you and going back into the lane. While none of these issues are directly caused by the slow driver, almost all of them can be eliminated by simply going with the flow of traffic. You can make the road safer for both yourself and everyone around you. Even if you're going 10-15 over, there's little to no chance you'll get ticketed for it if there's a hoard of cars doing the same speed all around you.

If you don't feel safe "speeding" when in reality it's just going with the flow of traffic, then maybe you shouldn't be allowed to drive.

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Early_Reindeer4319@reddit

I don’t know where you live but here in Canada most people drive 5-10 kmh over the speed limit as that’s generally a cushion that law enforcement allows. Don’t worry about driving too slow if you’re going the speed limit but just keep in mind that sometimes going really slow is just as dangerous as going really fast.

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Akraiders907@reddit

I've noticed the same thing , anyone driving the speed limit is always passed by most others. People are just always in a hurry. Don't drive faster if your not comfortable with it. What i started doing is just pacing the car that passes or is in front that's going a bit faster. As long as it's reasonable and not 25 30 over the limit but if it's 10 over I'll pace behind a bit that way if anyone gets hit by a speed trap it's them not me lol. Otherwise I drive within 5 or so if the limit

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EC_Owlbear@reddit

Always go 5 - 10 over. Driving the speed limit is lame, it’s not fun, and it annoys everyone. Most speed limits used to be higher anyway. Wish they’d raise them back up a little.

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ysrsquid@reddit

You are legal to drive the speed limit. But if you are going to drive slower than everyone else, you should be in furthest right lane (assuming passing lanes are to left as in USA). But you will be much safer driving the same speed as the other drivers. The speed differential between your “speed limit” and everyone else driving much faster as a group will only make driving more dangerous for you. Highways in USA are designed for speeds around 80 MPH. You will be much safer and feel more comfortable if you merge into the speed of the other, faster mob on the road. As an example, the first time my wife drove on highway in USA, she asked me how fast she should go. I told her, “Just go same flow as everyone else.” So she did. It took her 30 minutes of driving HWY 5 into LA to realize everyone was doing 100 mph. She had no idea she was going that fast because she was pacing herself with the other cars. That said, you need to work traffic to keep lots of space around you. People tend to not have enough braking space in front of them.

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Cocacola_Desierto@reddit

You'll never be wrong for going the speed limit if you're in the right. Lane.

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PirateKingOfIreland@reddit

Choosing to drive the posted speed limit will never be wrong unless: - you are sitting in one of the passing lanes and not passing anybody - there is bad weather or other conditions that merit you driving slower than the speed limit - there is some other law or something that requires you to slow down, such as an emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the road with its lights on

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CastorCurio@reddit

Ok so I disagree but I want to start by saying I don't tailgate. I don't road rage. I'm usually not in a rush so I don't really care if I need to drive slow.

If you're on a long country road, especially a straight one, and everyone routinely drives +15 the speed limit and you're driving the speed limit or just under them you're a bit of a nuisance. If I need to follow you for 50 miles and can't pass you while you just take your time it's annoying.

The speed limit is the law and I'm fine with that. But there are lots of roads with a defacto speed limit much faster then what's on the sign. Having a little bit of awareness and the ability to adjust your speed for road conditions is a good thing.

Also, no one drives at one speed. You may slow down into turns, speed up on straight aways. If you're really anal about "going the speed limit and not over" then in reality you are routinely driving under the speed limit. That's fine but what's also fine is allowing other drivers to drive the speed they want to. Get out of other people's way if you're a slow driver.

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PirateKingOfIreland@reddit

You hit the nail on the head when you said the speed limit is the law. It is.

I’m not pretending to be some super strict driver who drives at or below the limit 100% of the time. Of course I’m not, and I’d challenge anyone who said they are.

However, the technically correct thing to do is to obey the rules of the road. These vary place to place, but I’d wager that speed limits are almost universally intended to be a thing that isn’t exceeded, as their name implies.

Are there cases where exceeding the speed limit and breaking the law is safer than maintaining the limit? Absolutely. Strictly following the speed limit is not always the safest thing to do, but if a novice driver were to follow the advice in my top-level comment (with the edit), they would be technically correct most of the time and would build reasonably safe habits.

Would some people be annoyed that they couldn’t speed on a long and straight road? Sure. But that’s not the subject driver’s problem. They are following the rules of the road, and it’s not their job to break the law just to avoid inconveniencing the drivers around them. If following the speed limit creates an unsafe situation because another driver is going faster, that’s also not their problem to solve except in a case of self-preservation. The speeding driver is in the wrong here. Find a way to pass, or, if you can’t, accept that you are going to follow the legal speed limit today.

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OrangeHitch@reddit

People drive at the speed that they feel comfortable. Even if I'd like to go faster, it's wrong to say that someone should drive beyond their limits and risk an accident. I usually am over the limit on rural roads but at the limit on highways. I observe lane courtesy. I understand the point of view that others may be held up. I've been in the situation where cars are approaching in the opposite lane just when I get a passing zone.

My advice to the OP is to pull farther right within your lane in a passing zone if you think someone wants to pass, and go even slower so they can get by more quickly. Give them a cushion to work with. Pull over to the side if you have more than three cars stacked tight behind you. As to the guys stuck behind you, I know the mindset. I understand the annoyance. They need to just back off a little and be patient until an opportunity arises. You probably won't be appreciably later getting to your destination.

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eugenesbluegenes@reddit

If I need to follow you for 50 miles and can't pass you while you just take your time it's annoying.

Hyperbole much?

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CastorCurio@reddit

Never driven through the country?

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eugenesbluegenes@reddit

I've driven all over the country

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CastorCurio@reddit

But not 50 miles at once?

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eugenesbluegenes@reddit

In all the long road trips including many two lane highways in the middle of nowhere, I've never encountered a stretch anywhere near 50 miles with zero opportunity to pass.

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gland87@reddit

Then you don't drive much in rural areas with two lane roads

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TigerPoppy@reddit

Or you don't drive stoned.

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eugenesbluegenes@reddit

I do though. I think you may not quite grasp how far 50 miles is.

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CastorCurio@reddit

Ok yeah it was hyperbolic, I agree. My points still valid (or at least using hyperbole doesn't invalidate my point).

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Beginning_Ad1239@reddit

Just wait until it's a tractor in front of you doing 30. You take what you can get on back roads. Sometimes it's fast and sometimes it's slow.

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zeptillian@reddit

What if there is a law that says slower drivers keep right and you are a slower driver in the left lane?

Can you just drive past dozens of those signs on the side of the road and ignore them?

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TigerPoppy@reddit

It is the obligation of the impatient driver to dodge and weave through the lanes instead of harassing a drive doing the limit, and faced with another drive in front of them doing the limit. If you want to go so fast you got to make it happen yourself.

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zeptillian@reddit

When we force them to do that they put us all in more danger.

It's better to let faster cars pass on the left regardless of the legality of their speed. That's where it's expected and codified into law in a lot of places.

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NASAfan89@reddit

If they're driving the speed limit and you're driving faster than them, IDK why you'd expect traffic laws to keep right would be enforced upon them but traffic laws to obey speed limits would not be enforced upon you...

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insta@reddit

people speeding expect to get tickets for speeding. the difference is the tickets are administered by the police, not other drivers cosplaying as police.

there are actually some states that allow you to exceed the speed limit to pass as well.

more annoyingly, only some states define the left lane as "passing" without regard to relationship to the speed limit. most of them use the "keep right unless passing" verbiage, and several include "if you are impeding traffic" as well. very few of them seem to mention speed limits at all regarding this specific thing, that's a different statue.

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Sad-Ambassador-2748@reddit

In Texas most of the time you’re ok to do 10-15 over on the highway

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insta@reddit

i don't know that i'd feel safe trying to do the speed limit in texas, regardless ...

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Sad-Ambassador-2748@reddit

It’s not safe 😂 you’ll get pushed aside

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alienduck2@reddit

In this case the speed limit is implied, and you're legally not allowed to go above the speed limit, even in the passing lane. You pass the slower driver going under the speed limit, then exit the passing lane to continue going the speed limit.

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insta@reddit

some states do allow temporarily exceeding the speed limit to pass.

but still, the major difference is who's doing the policing. you can't really stop someone who's speeding and give them a ticket. you can call it in to the non-emergency number and see if they care. the problem is when people will block other drivers because "they shouldn't be speeding". move over and call it in. let them go ahead of you.

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eugenesbluegenes@reddit

Did you not read the comment before replying?

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theFooMart@reddit

Can you just drive past dozens of those signs on the side of the road and ignore them?

You could, just like you could ignore the red light, the wrong way sign, the detour sign, etc. But you could still get a ticket.

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PirateKingOfIreland@reddit

I’m not sure I understand. Why would my comment lead you to think that driving the speed limit allows you to ignore signs that say slower drivers keep right?l

If you’re going the speed limit and passing someone in this circumstance, you’re perfectly fine being in the left lane. You should move right when safe and when done passing.

If you’re going the speed limit and not passing someone in this circumstance you should be in the right lane.

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zeptillian@reddit

I think your comment was unclear before you edited it.

With that condition I think you have them all covered.

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PirateKingOfIreland@reddit

Good catch

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OkMathematician7144@reddit

I too drive the speed limit. It's safer, and I'm not about to risk getting a ticket for the sake of others' impatience.

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xinfantsmasherx420@reddit

Only thing that matters is the flow of traffic. Most people do speed, so join them, lest you become an obstacle. If you’re the only car on the road however, it’s better to follow the speed limit.

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phoontender@reddit

My province has probationary licenses for the first 2 years and if I get caught speeding they suspend my license for 3 months. I'm gonna drive the limit and people can be mad about it 🤷‍♀️. Leave earlier.

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

So your advice is “become part of the problem”?

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TigerPoppy@reddit

I learned in Driver's Education years ago, you have to dance with the other cars.

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LiqdPT@reddit

Dude, you live in Houston? You're gonna get run over...

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Correct_Tailor_4171@reddit

What matters is the flow of traffic. Not one or two assholes going past you I mean EVERYONE around you. I live in Chicago and constantly drive in and out some highways I have to go over by 15-20 over the speed limit to be safe and others I can go only 5 and be safe. It always depends.

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

Clearly Chicago doesn’t have ALPR cameras issuing $100 fines for speeding on the highway. Sounds like they should install those asap.

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No_cash69420@reddit

Good thing in most places camera tickets aren't enforceable. I get dozens a year and they all go in the trash. Wish we had the Autobahn here so we could travel whatever speed we are comfortable. Speed limits are just suggestions mostly anyways, especially for motorcycles.

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

Plenty of countries in the world (UK, UAE, etc) where speeding fines are very very enforceable.

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purplishfluffyclouds@reddit

Camera tickets =/= “speeding fines”

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No_cash69420@reddit

Glad they aren't where I am from. If they were, no plates for me lol

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Correct_Tailor_4171@reddit

Oh they don’t care about anything I see cops break traffic laws-

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

Fixed ALPR cameras have no input from the police. You just drive fast one day and get a fine in the mail a few days later. Ignore it for a few weeks and watch the fine triple. Ignore that and go to prison.

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Correct_Tailor_4171@reddit

People just don’t care here. People will rush down the shoulder of highways because of traffic.

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

Agreed. That’s why thousands of fixed ALPR cameras + automatic speed limit systems in cars is inevitable.

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Correct_Tailor_4171@reddit

It would be nice. I learned how to drive less than a month ago and it’s insane.

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

Actual UK anti-speeding commercial: https://youtu.be/HeUX6LABCEA?si=5aWfLNe-rjQsv8b_

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Correct_Tailor_4171@reddit

What’s worse is people almost hit kids all the time as well as adults. :(

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QuickCaterpillar7567@reddit

I wish everyone would drive the speed limit like you do.

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moistdragons@reddit

Me too. I prefer to go the speed limit, I never feel like I’m driving too slow and I’m perfectly comfortable doing the limit however I do go 5-10 over just to appease other drivers because everyone is obsessed with speeding. I hate it. I have to go out of my comfort zone just to appease others and if I don’t then people will drive aggressively towards me and treat me like a problem.

I just hate how if I want to go the speed limit and follow the law then I’m seen as an asshole but if someone wants to go faster and break the law they’re seen as right.

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phalangeals@reddit

that’s not a problem, just stick the the right lanes to not interrupt the flow of traffic!

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moistdragons@reddit

But I live in an area where 95% of the roads I encounter are single lane roads.

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rustoof@reddit

Today i got flipped off for "camping the left lane" because i slowed to 64 in a 55 while passing a state trooper conducting a traffic stop in the right lane.

There will always be someone who wants to go faster, you will always be someones nuisance.

Where i live i try to do 25 in a 25, 40 in a 35, 55 in a 45 and 70 in a 55. Varying speed to avoid being close to other cars and minimizing lane changes. I very rarely get tailgated, and i never tailgate. Its what makes me feel safe.

I also have 2 speeding ticket in my life for 15+ over the limit. YMMV

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Skattay801@reddit

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HiroShin99@reddit

nowadays the speed limit is just a suggestion. honestly just try to flow with the traffic not too fast where you become a hazard and not too slow where you become a nuisance

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

We need ALPR cameras issuing $100 fines installed asap, then everyone will drive at or below the limit

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phalangeals@reddit

bro is a fed🤦‍♀️

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JackHarvey_05@reddit

its best to go with the flow of traffic so you dont become an obstacle

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Arizonagamer710@reddit

It all depends, you just have to be smart about it.

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DirtyWater2004@reddit

As a person who drives just above the speed limit please move over if someone behind you is on you. Not saying they are right but too many people I've heard " why should I move over I'm going 10 miles over the speed limit" or worse start hitting their brakes. Not worth matching energies just move over as soon as it's safe to.

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Reasonable-Tax658@reddit

Stop driving like a punk

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EtherealSai@reddit

It's usually safest to just go with the speed of traffic, unless the traffic is driving dangerously.

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

Here’s the thing, over the speed limit is driving dangerously

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EtherealSai@reddit

By what metric? Lol

Even driving 15 mph in a 40 can be dangerous, usually more than driving 45 in a 40.

Fact of the matter is that driving the same speed as traffic in general is almost always safer than driving slower than the speed of traffic. If you can't drive the same speed as traffic then move to a slower lane, it's not that hard.

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WorkingDogAddict1@reddit

Lol no. Driving slower than the flow of traffic is though

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

Then what is the purpose of a speed limit if not defining the maximum safe speed? Why not just make the highway speed limit 120mph?

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WorkingDogAddict1@reddit

Mostly to generate revenue.

Speed limits on interstates are generally written 10-20mph below the speed the road is designed for

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

If it was to generate revenue, why don’t they fine every single driver? (if everyone drives over the limit, as is suggested)

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WorkingDogAddict1@reddit

To contine to be allowed to operate their money generating operation. People wouldn't comply, they would fire their sheriff

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

People wouldn’t comply? It’s a fine in the mail, followed by losing your driving licence and possible jail time for refusing to pay. Pretty weak law enforcement if they can’t, you know, enforce law

How about stealing things from stores? Do they only arrest some people in case other criminals refuse to comply and everyone fires the sheriff?

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WorkingDogAddict1@reddit

Most states tried that years ago, it was ruled unconstitutional.

Ironically, yes, go to a store in Seattle and watch every 9 out of 10 shoplifters get let go with no consequences

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

I’ve enjoyed living in essentially crime free countries like Japan and UAE. Don’t understand why people in many other countries justify and essentially encourage crime.

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cynical-rationale@reddit

Yeah crime is more lax in north america compared to those countries. Then people wonder why we have such issues lol

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WorkingDogAddict1@reddit

We don't have a homogeneous culture here

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Past-Apartment-8455@reddit

I even made a map showing the highest tickets per population density. All data came from the government and I just looked at the fines and Forteits, matched it up with other data like my zip code database.

It isn't about safety, it is about income. Many of these areas rely on ticket income to up to 80% of their budget

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LilSkills@reddit

There's a big difference between going 20-30 over the speed limit and going at double or more. Do you really think just because you are driving over the speed limit that instantly makes it dangerous? Like the guy above said, driving slower than the speed limit or significantly slower than the cars around you is the real danger, slower drivers are the ones who usually indirectly cause the accidents, lane changes without checking mirrors appropriately, without blinking or in any other dangerous way is what causes accidents.

It's rare for someone who is going fast to suddenly lose control in a straight line, what causes faster drivers to lose control are usually stupid drivers who don't know how to drive.

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

This also means that (according to your logic) if everyone was going double the speed limit it would be dangerous to only go 20-30 over the speed limit.

It’s like looting logic. Everyone else is nicking things so I can too.

I’ll go the speed limit and so will any car behind me.

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insta@reddit

that's fine, just be in the appropriate lane when doing so.

if a faster driver is behind you, and they cannot go more left because you're camping in the left lane, you are very likely breaking other traffic laws regardless of their speed.

if you move right so they can pass you, you've broken no laws, and they can get the ticket. plus they can run rabbit for you and find cops shooting radar.

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

Exactly 🤌🏼

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LilSkills@reddit

If the road conditions allow for such speeds and there's no idiot on the road? Yes, have you heard about autobahn? There's no speed limits, people usually go at extremely high speeds on a daily basis and yet reported numbers of accidents are lower than in majority of the countries. Why? Because people there actually know how to drive.

You do you, camp at the passing lane and force people to go at your speed all you want. Let's see how long you go before meeting someone crazy to give you a reality check

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

I would never sit in a passing lane if I’m not passing.

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LilSkills@reddit

The "I'll go at the speed limit and so will every car behind me" sounded like you were a left lane camper. Sorry for the misunderstanding

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cynical-rationale@reddit

There's a reason millions of people regularly drive over the speed limit by a bit their while lives and never get in an accident.m, myself included. That's not the reason accidents happen. Lack of awareness is why.

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EffectiveLibrarian35@reddit

Lol you just be a child

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pgnshgn@reddit

I worked for a while in traffic and road safety engineering, and generally no it's really not. At least not in the US

In the US, speed limits are set for the lowest common denominator: the worst driver, driving the worst car, in the worst conditions. And that's before politicians and law enforcement start artificially lowering the limit even further to generate revenue or because a well connected Karen complained about the nose

If you're not any of those things, then it is overwhelmingly likely that it is actually safe for you to exceed the speed limit -- with a major exception that you should not do this in an urban area or neighborhood, where the unpredictable nature of the environment overrides the nature of the road design

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

So sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t. How do we slow down the bad drivers if all the good ones around them are going fast?

Also if people don’t speed = zero revenue. People have to choose to get fined.

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pgnshgn@reddit

The European answer is you raise the limits and then don't give the shitty ones a license

And that's a massively optimistic view when you consider the million ways places get shady with speed limits; signs obscured by trees or other objects, sudden drops where they make no sense, roads that are clearly safe to drive faster which just creates irritation, just good old fashioned lying, etc

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Arizonagamer710@reddit

It's fine to go a little bit over. Sometimes, it is even safer.

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Electronic_Priority@reddit

If not a little bit, why not a lot? And how much is a little, 10mph… 20mph?

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Money-University8717@reddit

And you were hogging the left lane too! I am the one who horned angrily while passing you at speed on the right lane.

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zacmobile@reddit

No matter how fast you drive you will always be in someone's way. Just go the speed you want to go and they can pass if they want to go faster.

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mrblackc@reddit

It is safer to follow the flow of traffic while remaining mindful of road conditions.

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TGS_Polar@reddit

Because most people drive at least a few miles above the limit. You aren't doing anything wrong just let people pass you.

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AmalgamZTH@reddit

Cars are too fast now. Everyone is in a hurry, so you get that outcome. Grandma doesn’t need a 0-60 time of 5 seconds to go to bingo.

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shotgundug13@reddit

I usually go 5-10 over the limit and get passed all the time. One thing you can check though is your speedometer. On one of my old cars I noticed I was getting passed an abnormal amount even when speeding. I had my speedometer calibrated and some of the issues went away.

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Whateverdude138@reddit

Just don't camp in the passing lane and the crazy drivers won't care much. 😁

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zeptillian@reddit

It's better for everyone to let the faster drivers pass.

There is less risk they will cause an accident and they will be the ones getting pulled over and getting tickets.

Let the cops deal with them.

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TotalWeb2893@reddit

Unless you have a left turn or exit shortly

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Due_Bowler_7129@reddit

Church.

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onlycodeposts@reddit

There is a simple rule I follow.

If they are going faster than me, they are a maniac that probably will cause an accident up ahead.

If they they are going slower than me they are a slowpoke in everyone's way that will probably cause an accident behind me.

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cryptolyme@reddit

there is no rule of law on the roads anymore.

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AblazinEagle@reddit

I noticed

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AblazinEagle@reddit

I was literally about to post this….i would drive the speed limit too and notice people would tailgate me on a local road….

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EffectiveLibrarian35@reddit

You should keep up with traffic

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1ndomitablespirit@reddit

Speed limits are usually significantly lower than what the roads can actually safely support. They are absolutely important in some cases, but the majority of limits are usually at least 10MPH slower than the ideal speed for the road. Not talking about highways.

Drivers who want to go faster than the limit are rarely being as truly reckless as the hand-wringers would have us believe. There are absolutely people who push it too far, but they also may have the skill and the vehicle able to do it. Even an average driver and car can usually safely do 55 in a 45, for example.

Despite what the internet wants us to think, the majority of people are perfectly able to properly judge the speed they can safely go. Most want to go faster, not just because they're in a hurry, but because it makes driving more enjoyable. It is still, generally, safe.

Now, you should also drive the way that makes YOU comfortable, but if you are constantly paying attention to your speed, you are technically driving distracted. As you're looking at your speed, you're taking your eyes off of the road. It may be a split second, but that's often all it takes to start the chain reaction to disaster.

The more you drive, the more automatic the physical act becomes. I don't consciously think about putting on my seatbelt; I just do it. I don't remind myself to check my mirrors or use my turn signal; I just do it. I don't pay attention to my speed; I just know what my car (and myself) can and can't do so I can focus my attention on the rest of the world. I see a potential hazard, my foot is already off of the accelerator and going for the brake before I consciously tell it to. I've also been driving for almost 30 years and hundreds of thousands of miles.

Slow and steady does win the race, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to cruise along at the speed limit, but most other drivers assume you're going to do 5 to 10 over the limit. If not more, depending on the road and conditions.

If there is a line of cars behind you, and they're all crowding each other, and there's nobody in front of you, you are absolutely causing a hazard. Yes, those drivers are wrong for getting impatient and road rage-y, but human beings are just not that evolved yet. Pull over and let them pass you, and then get back on your way. You don't want them getting so worked up that they pass you illegally. You may be in the right, but if your goal is safety then just let them pass. You'll catch up to them at the next stop sign or stoplight and they will probably notice and feel sheepish about it.

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Skyrimjob17@reddit

My dad gave me the advice to drive your car and don’t worry how other people feel.

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acemandrs@reddit

Please don’t listen to these people. You are not the problem. As long as you aren’t camping in a passing lane you’re fine. Everyone saying you are dangerous or an obstacle are only trying to justify their own shitty driving behaviors. There is nothing wrong with going the speed limit and it most definitely is not illegal.

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fitava79@reddit

This. Just don’t be the one camping in the left lane. If you need to pass do so quickly and efficiently then get back over.

If you need to turn left, be observant where you are going and don’t drive in the left lane for miles before your turn.

I have to drive the speed limit when in my work vehicle or I will get in trouble with my job. They can’t ticket you for obeying the law and being in the correct lane.

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tekheavy@reddit

Yes, it's you if you are driving the speed limit and everyone else is going faster. Keep up with the flow of traffic and you won't get a ticket.

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Due_Bowler_7129@reddit

I don’t want to be a nuisance.

Just keep to the right then.

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666-3629@reddit

sounds like your car is having a mechanical issue preventing you from speeding up

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Due_Bowler_7129@reddit

That's how I'm going to interpret their failure to reach speed as we run out of on-ramp.

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MET90LX@reddit

You’ll never get a speeding ticket.

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ZestycloseStop9685@reddit (OP)

that’s my biggest reason for driving how I drive to avoid any tickets

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Due_Bowler_7129@reddit

I avoid tickets with a Uniden but fair enough.

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theFooMart@reddit

is it me? Is it them?

Both.

On one hand, you're free to drive at a speed you're comfortable with, just don't be holding people up.

But if everyone is driving faster than you, then you're driving too slow. The ideal speed is keeping up with traffic. You're actually more of a hazard when you're driving significantly slower (or faster) than traffic, than if you were keeping up with traffic while driving above the speed limit.

Also keep in mind that speed limits, particularly those not on large highways are kept lower for various reasons, including "because that's how it's always been" even though cars are getting safer. It's not like driving ten over on a main road is going to kill you.

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WaterDreamer10@reddit

Depends where you are and what road you are on. If you are on a highway and traffic is flying past you, then yes, you are a nuisance and a danger to other drivers. The ones stuck behind you now have to try to wait for a large gap in order to pull and pass given the large speed differential, which could result in an accident.

You can still be the slowest vehicle on the road, but only by 5 MPH, not 20!

There is a highway near me that is PSL of 55. Pretty much the right lane does 65 at ALL times, and the left lane is 70+.

If someone is stuck behind you doing 54 mph trying to pull in front of someone doing 73, that is dangerous for everyone.

No, all your wishing and wanting will not get people to slow to your speed so you have to use common sense.

You can do 63 in that lane, people will still be able to pass, you can still drive slow, but the dangerous speed differential will be reduced.

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sssRealm@reddit

I drive 5 to 10 miles over the speed limit and people zoom past me.

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b15cowboy@reddit

It's most definitely you!!! Sometimes you have to floor it.

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ZUUT23@reddit

If you're driving the posted speedlimit on a highway or major road you are going too slow. Speed limits are typically set at 90% of the average speed traveled on the road. Doing 5 over in these scenarios is expected and depending on locality 10 over is expected

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alanudi@reddit

In upstate NY the speed limit is a starting point.

I recently started following the speed limit and EVERYONE hates me now lol.

Fuck their illogical assess. I'm not gonna break the law and put lives at risk so some jackass can get home to his Trump Bible .05 seconds sooner.

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kiddlat_kid@reddit

If you ain’t first you’re last

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Classic-Reaction8897@reddit

I usually go five over the limit in smaller streets/roads, but on the highway/interstate, I’ve noticed people don’t care and do wayyy more, which I do as well just to keep up with traffic, seems a lot dangerous being the slow one doing 55 when everyone else is doing 75+

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Empire087@reddit

Maintain your course and heading, don't camp in the left lane, and you'll be perfectly fine. You're doing nothing wrong. I'll never be mad at someone who follows those rules of the road.

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Ok-Serve415@reddit

Not to be stupid but I have been driving 80mph on highways (no not in the US I live in Jakarta)

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Jacktheforkie@reddit

Drive to the conditions and follow the law and you’ll be fine

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mdramsey@reddit

If you're not impeding the prevailing flow of traffic, there is nothing wrong with the speed limit. However, posted speed limits are not always established as a result of a traffic and engineering survey of traffic. This is the case of many interstates. Example: The maximum limit in California is 70MPH. There are some open-country areas where that speed limit is purely arbitrary, and serves as little more than a revenue generating marker in the event CHP happened to be around.

Drive as you like, and if that means the flow of traffic is faster, as the rule generally goes, "keep right, except to pass," or "slower traffic keep right." Et voila, you're good to go.

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DefinableEel1@reddit

So while you aren’t wrong, sometimes going with the flow of traffic is just the safer option because others may not expect to come up behind someone going the speed limit like around the bend or anything. But also some of those fast drivers are just psychopaths. Like if you can’t accept going 15mph over which will save you like 30 seconds, you do not have the patience to be behind a wheel.