Speed limits
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 Sarge Send message Joined: 25 Aug 99 Posts: 12273 Credit: 8,569,109 RAC: 79 
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On interstates, depending on where you are, the limit might be 70 but many are doing 80. When I do drive, I find myself needing to do that in order to keep plenty of space between myself and others. BTW, folks, I was surprised to see this thread get revived. You can see in an earlier post why I created it. But, it has generated such good discussion, I guess we can keep it going, right? Capitalize on this good fortune, one word can bring you round ... changes. ID: 597868 ·  |
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Sarge Send message Joined: 25 Aug 99 Posts: 12273 Credit: 8,569,109 RAC: 79
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Quick post to change the thread title. Capitalize on this good fortune, one word can bring you round ... changes. ID: 597869 · |
KB7RZF  Send message Joined: 15 Aug 99 Posts: 9549 Credit: 3,308,926 RAC: 2
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On the highway in town here in Reno/Sparks Nevada, the speed limit is 65. Drive east about 2 miles, it goes up to 70, and as you hit different smaller cities, the speed limit goes back down to 65 till you get out of city limits. Course there is constant construction work on Interstate 80 in our state, guess our engineer's suck at making good highways. LOL 
ID: 597932 · |
John Clark  Send message Joined: 29 Sep 99 Posts: 16515 Credit: 4,418,829 RAC: 0 
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Before the speed cameras enforcing regulations (speed only), I had my car up towards the speeds Mike drove at. The A1 15 years ago, on a late June Sunday evening was empty then. It's good to be back amongst friends and colleagues  
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Sarge Send message Joined: 25 Aug 99 Posts: 12273 Credit: 8,569,109 RAC: 79
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Before the speed cameras enforcing regulations (speed only), I had my car up towards the speeds Mike drove at. The A1 15 years ago, on a late June Sunday evening was empty then. Well, if it is empty, not too curvy, etc. ... . Capitalize on this good fortune, one word can bring you round ... changes. ID: 597944 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20258 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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... Well, if it is empty, not too curvy, etc. ... . No, I guess not... Except for that farmer's tractor turning onto the road in the great far faint distance and just 0.5 seconds ahead that you just never imagined could possibly ever happen to you. Then there is the explosion of shredded metal just as you have just come to your senses and have moved your foot from the accelerator (gas) pedal to the brake pedal. Shame you never gave yourself a chance to even start braking let alone stop. An even greater shame that you killed the farmer, his dog, and the occupants of three oncoming vehcles also. Yes, high speed on country roads is 'fun'. That's why motoways (autobahns, expressways) have lots of grass verge, crash barriers, and 2 mile lead ups to a restricted number of junctions. And yes, farmers use their farm vehicles at all of 15 mph on the A1 in the UK. Yes, it is straight enough for you to do 120 mph / 200 kph easily... Next expert driver anyone? I've seen far too many crashes on the M1, and that's at just 70 mph or less! Cheers, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 597959 · |
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John Clark Send message Joined: 29 Sep 99 Posts: 16515 Credit: 4,418,829 RAC: 0
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... Well, if it is empty, not too curvy, etc. ... . Your part of the A1 seems exceedingly narrow, and, as you describe, like a country lane? The bit near me (a few miles away I admit) is 3 lanes wide and farm vehicles are banned, as are bicycles and 2 wheeled transport with engines below 50 ccs. Indeed a little south the A1 widens to 4 lanes each way, and can be very empty of all vehicular traffic! Just like a ghost town! It's good to be back amongst friends and colleagues
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20258 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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Your part of the A1 seems exceedingly narrow, and, as you describe, like a country lane? Then you know the A1 as well as I do. If you're arguing for more than 60 mph on there then you are simply an ignorant plonker whom should be shot before you get the chance to kill others. Can you honestly claim to stay CONTINUOUSLY "F1 racing driver alert" on an unprotected road? I know that you cannot. Note that we're talking about the A1. That is very different from the improved sections that are now called the A1(M). Stupid people kill by their stupidly bad driving. Regards, Martin See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 597966 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20258 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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Indeed a little south the A1 widens to 4 lanes each way, and can be very empty of all vehicular traffic! Just like a ghost town! That's fine IF YOU CAN ALWAYS GUARANTEE COMPLETELY THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD KNOW NOT TO BE THERE for your stupidity. The reality is that you cannot guarantee that, you do not know, and there will be the day that you slaughter someone whom happens to innocently be there in your way. No discussion. There is far too much stupidness on the roads. See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 597969 · |
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ML1 Send message Joined: 25 Nov 01 Posts: 20258 Credit: 7,508,002 RAC: 20
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OK, for all you hot-shot F1-esq super ace best-in-the-world drivers out there. How far and how long does it take for you to bring your vehicle and you to a complete dead stop? Full explanations of all assumptions also please. See new freedom: Mageia Linux Take a look for yourself: Linux Format The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3) ID: 597970 · |
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John Clark Send message Joined: 29 Sep 99 Posts: 16515 Credit: 4,418,829 RAC: 0
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Indeed a little south the A1 widens to 4 lanes each way, and can be very empty of all vehicular traffic! Just like a ghost town! Martin Why are you getting so upset over something I stated I did over 15 years ago on a wide part of the A1 when the road was completely empty? If you are a traffic cop (one of the few), and attend the scenes of RTAs, where people die, I can understand your attitude. The loss of life is pointless for a few mph. However, a reminder that the speed kills campaign is a little off beam, as it is inappropriate speed that kills (poor driver judgement). So, 70 mph on the dual carriage way A1 on a Friday evening is completely nuts, as is this speed in 100 yard visibility fog (which I have seen). Also, for the statistics on UK road deaths the investigations have shown that in 6% of the, so called, accidents it has been shown that speed was the major contributing factor. Regarding your accusations on my driving ... I have a clean license, have been in no major RTAs and held my full licence (covering all 2 wheeled vehicles, all cars and vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes) for 42 years (to the month). It's good to be back amongst friends and colleagues
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John Clark Send message Joined: 29 Sep 99 Posts: 16515 Credit: 4,418,829 RAC: 0
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How far and how long does it take for you to bring your vehicle and you to a complete dead stop? The figures for stopping distances quoted in the UK Highway Code, for a dry good condition road, is well behind the capability of all vehicles with in built mechatronic systems and modern tyre compounds. The thinking distances at all speeds are reasonably accurate, but the stopping distance should be between 50% and 30% shorter than they are quoted. I know, as I was involved in advanced tyre systems to increase the coefficient of restitution (skid resistance or grip) on rain, ice and snow covered surfaces. As to my driving style, I use the Road Craft approach as advocated by the IAM of which I have been a member for 20 years. It's good to be back amongst friends and colleagues
ID: 597980 · |
Rush  Send message Joined: 3 Apr 99 Posts: 3131 Credit: 302,569 RAC: 0
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No, I guess not... This type of risk is inherent in the operation of motor vehicles and is a risk both parties assume every single time they leave the "safety" of their front yard. Whether it's at high speed and the above tractor appears, or slow speed and an baby crawls into your path. Being smaller, you're much closer before you see it--except this time it's an explosion of shattered bone and teeth. Yes, high speed on country roads is 'fun'. Yes, exactly. Whether you think so or not, others do and always will. It's even better on motorcycles that are much faster than cars. Cordially, Rush elrushbo2@theobviousgmail.com Remove the obvious... 
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Rush Send message Joined: 3 Apr 99 Posts: 3131 Credit: 302,569 RAC: 0
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If you're arguing for more than 60 mph on there then you are simply an ignorant plonker whom should be shot before you get the chance to kill others. You and Chris should get along quite well, you could both sit around and just ban whatever you two don't think other people should be doing. Can you honestly claim to stay CONTINUOUSLY "F1 racing driver alert" on an unprotected road? I know that you cannot. Duh, they aren't even trying to do this. They're just driving faster than you would have them do. The gov't even impliedly accepts this--there is nothing stopping them from requiring governors on cars, limiting them to, oh, say, 27 MPH. But they don't. Stupid people kill by their stupidly bad driving. And highly intelligent people kill every day with their perfectly normal driving. Because driving is generally an inherently dangerous activity. Cordially, Rush elrushbo2@theobviousgmail.com Remove the obvious...
ID: 597991 · |
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Rush Send message Joined: 3 Apr 99 Posts: 3131 Credit: 302,569 RAC: 0
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That's fine IF YOU CAN ALWAYS GUARANTEE COMPLETELY THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD KNOW NOT TO BE THERE for your stupidity. Ummmm, the rest of the world "WORLD KNOW NOT TO BE THERE" (sic.) These are the every day risks people take when driving on public roads, because it's the very nature of the beast, from the person going to fast that creates a hazard, to the person going to slow that does the same. From the kid that doesn't look before crossing, to the mother on the mobile phone, the list is endless, because the risks are nearly infinite and nearly infinitely varied. Cordially, Rush elrushbo2@theobviousgmail.com Remove the obvious...
ID: 597993 · |
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Rush Send message Joined: 3 Apr 99 Posts: 3131 Credit: 302,569 RAC: 0
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OK, for all you hot-shot F1-esq super ace best-in-the-world drivers out there. I have no idea. I can tell you this, from a standing start, my X5 4.6is is a virtual rocketship. Although it has the biggest discs that BMW ever put on a production model, that simply may not be enough some day. I would bet 100 - 0 would have to be 300 feet? A football field? And that doesn't include perception time or reaction time. Cordially, Rush elrushbo2@theobviousgmail.com Remove the obvious...
ID: 597995 · |
mikey  Send message Joined: 17 Dec 99 Posts: 4215 Credit: 3,474,603 RAC: 0
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As for Montana, an ex-g/f told me when she lived there, her ex-husband would do 100 mph outside of Bozeman. In South Carolina, or is it Georgia, the Savannah River Nuclear Facility has a gate that they give you a toll ticket at. Over 100 miles later they take the ticket and check the time you were on the road, if it is too long, speed limit is 65mph, then you are plulled over for a check to see what you were doing that took so long. There are no rest stops or exits, so none should be going too slow. The key is they do not care how little time you take! I have a friend that takes his 5.0L Mustang and does over a hundred mph and tries to finish it in under 60 minutes!!! Last few years the cops have had the ability to give tickets, before that since it is a Government facility, they did not have the legal authority. Now you need a cb radio and a good radar detector, but there are still VERY few cops! Side note...near my home, on my old commute rout, we used to travel thru Route 1, yes the same Route 1 that goes from Maine to Florida. It went thru the middle of a Military Base, local and state cops hated that section, we would FLY thru it and then be back at the speed limit just as it went back into State property! Now the cops can give tickets all along it, DAMN!!! 
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Brian Silvers Send message Joined: 11 Jun 99 Posts: 1681 Credit: 492,052 RAC: 0
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Sometimes you can find that kind of perf data by looking around on Edmunds, but not for that, at least not that I could find. I found it is a gas guzzler though... 12/17 ID: 598071 · |
Gavin Shaw  Send message Joined: 8 Aug 00 Posts: 1116 Credit: 1,304,337 RAC: 0 
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You should see some of the lunatics we have on the road in Australia. Top speed on a highway in Queensland is 110 kph. Note that highway here is a one lane each way road with no separation between them and little shoulder (We have some bad roads here). Trucks are speed limited to 100 kph. They are regularly overtaking cars that are doing 110. Figure that out. The M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast is well known for races. It is four lanes wide in each direction in some places. If it is empty enough you will find people doing whatever speed they can (often it can be nearly gridlocked). Late night on the M1 is known for the rolling races. Quite dangerous. The Northern Territory used to have highways that were unlimited. Long straight roads (not much better than Queensland's highways). The fastest my dad ever did on them was 130 kph. We still got overtaken at times. In Queensland the limit in all suburban streets (unless otherwise signed) is 50 kph. It used to be 60 kph, but was lowered because the government and their policy and experts believed too many kids were getting hit. This is because children have a habit of running out on to the road without thinking. They believed that lowering to 50 would reduce the number of accidents. It is said that this 10 kph differences reduces stopping distance by 10 to 15m (after reaction time). Of course a lot of people still do 60 kph, especially on the road that leads in and out of the residential area where my parents live (only one 'road' in/out). There are still people there that try to do around the suburban street corners at 40+kph, screeching all the way. They once had one car end up over-correcting or something and go up onto the footpath out the front. And we also have school zones, where it is reduced to 40kph during the morning and afternoon (start and finish times) to reduce the risk to kids. But guess who the most dangerous kids are? High school teenagers. My old high school is a 40 zone with a set of traffic lights right out the front (directly in front of the gate) for students to cross out. But how many use it? Probably about 50% when I was there. The others would regularly run across the road without looking. Every week there would be a close call and the kids could not care less. My mother almost once hit one, because they ran out from between two parked vehicles without looking. In this situation the driver has very little time. So speed limits can be useful, but they are regularly ignored by drivers who couldn't care less. And the majority of those drivers are bad ones. Never surrender and never give up. In the darkest hour there is always hope. ID: 598080 · |
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Rush Send message Joined: 3 Apr 99 Posts: 3131 Credit: 302,569 RAC: 0
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Sometimes you can find that kind of perf data by looking around on Edmunds, but not for that, at least not that I could find. I found it is a gas guzzler though... 12/17 "Yes, Dodge will soon have a 500-hp Ram, and Ford has the Lightning, but BMW’s X5 4.6is SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle) is in a different league. For example, the 4,842-lb. truck has four-wheel drive, near 50:50 weight distribution, 20-in. wheels and tires, 14-in. front and 12.8-in. rear disc brakes, 340 hp, 350 lb-ft of torque, and a starting price of just – just! – $66,845. >snip< "The bottom line, other than the $69,025 as-driven price, is this: If you’re looking for the fastest, baddest, best handling SUV on the market, the BMW X5 4.6is is it. If you want even a modicum of everyday practicality or stealth, you’ll have to look elsewhere." Heh. Though I never did find out how many they made. Did Edmunds cover that? Cordially, Rush elrushbo2@theobviousgmail.com Remove the obvious...
ID: 598100 · |
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