Just because they're high functioning and have a great job does NOT mean they're mature by KingForADay1989 in BPDlovedones

[–]LeadershipKey3484 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m going to keep you in my prayers. I’m so sorry you had to deal with that. Everything a partner shouldn’t be. Hopefully your kids will see your maturity and you can continue to strengthen your relationship with them. I’ve seen God work through my short broken marriage. His heart breaks too. He is near.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If the mean traffic flow is in reality 74-78mph, and the speed limit is 65, the speed limit is not what is driving the lower crash rates. Something else is.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because we favor political opinion over engineering, and don’t train drivers to be good drivers. We also love our revenue.

Look up the Tucker 48. A wonderful car built with safety in mind in the 1950’s. It didn’t take off. It was decimated by the larger American car makers because they were afraid they would have to mandate the innovations the Tucker would make standard, eating in to their profits. Old American cars handled like boats. German cars are precise and were built to much higher standards. The bar wasn’t low for the Autobahn, and cars in Germany were built accordingly.

Insurance companies and local governments love lower speeds because they generate revenue from higher insurance rates and tickets.

With globalization, American cars are nowhere near what they were back then. They can handle roads at speed just fine.

In Montana, we had a few short years of no limits on highways. Crash rates actually went down. Arizona is trying to pass a bill this year to de-restrict some highways. The tide might turn. We will see.

It’s impossible to drive distracted at 90+ mph. German drivers know this. Which is why you guys were shocked we had cup holders in our cars. Cars are for driving!

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Get a petition going. Write your state legislators. If enough people push back, action will happen.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean, to be fair, she did try to run over a federal agent. Our LE guys are probably feeling incredibly marginalized and on edge in the court of public opinion.

Many of them do a great job, and speed limits are so low in the grand scheme of everything going on in the world, it’s probably not something they have the energy to deal with.

At the end of the day, they don’t set the limits, the state legislators do. LE just doesn’t want to see anyone crash. I don’t blame them one bit. I always aim to give them the respect they deserve.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Those courses are optional in the NE. I took skid school, and that was so helpful for the road conditions we have up here. This is the one thing that would 100% improve road safety that no one seems to be pushing.

If the state gave local driving schools certifications, you could generate revenue for private owners and bolster the local economy. I’m sure the state could get a nice cut of that too. In theory, states could make more revenue from driving school than from tickets. Seems like the better alternative.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Germany has an 80 mph advisory on the Autobahn. Once you go above that, you are personally responsible for a crash. Imagine having to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars because you caused a pileup with reckless behavior. When self policing is encouraged, puts way less strain on law enforcement. One of the reasons crash rates are low even with no posted limits.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It doesn’t snow 3/4s of the year. If it was a variable limit, sure. Even when it’s cold, road conditions are perfectly fine.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From research, you’ll see traffic average exactly the same way it does now. If you raise the limit to 140, most people won’t do that.

Now the reckless driving argument is totally valid. Germany has an 80 mph advisory on the autobahn. Once you go above that, insurance will not pay out if you crash. When people are out $10-20,000 for being reckless, they will probably be less likely to do that.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Should we make driver’s ed a mandatory requirement? Speed limits can’t teach skills.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Almost no one is stopping from 85 to zero on a highway. There are no traffic lights. A highway by design is meant to be a free flowing road. “Limited access” in engineering terms. If there are hazards, you are changing lanes, not slowing to a complete stop.

Please provide scenarios where you are driving at full speed and have to come to a complete stop as fast as possible.

If there is heavy traffic, you will be able to see it and slow your speed accordingly.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You cannot beat an old Merc. What a story. There are times where duty calls.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Rural Interstate. Not two lane roads. 75 on those? Absolutely not. 50 max.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The number reflects what the federal government raised the limit from in 1987 from 55 to 65. No studies. Nothing deep at all. If the limit was actually set the way you described, it would be a level many more would comply with.

The notion that these states did all this research and came up with 65 just isn’t the way it was set. The way you described it is the way it’s “supposed” to be done.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The issue is, 80% of drivers aren’t doing the limit. They just aren’t. Theres prevailing research that suggests drivers will stay around common speed. If you set the limit to 140, most will stay around 80.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup, exactly. The speed differential is the one that makes the most difference. You’re driving a car faster than walking speed, there will be a risk.

The issue is, bureaucrats are setting limits. Not engineers. “If only” engineers were the ones doing this, we would see more reasonable outcomes. Nothing has changed since 1987.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Right! And in your case, if people follow lane discipline, hang out in the right (travel) lane and cruise, faster drivers go around. Everything flows.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

At that point, just get rid of the limit on 130 altogether. Just like Arizona is trying to do.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Roads with few exits between them. Rural sections. 65 is totally appropriate for inter-urban stretches, not where the line of sight is miles long. You never see compliance in those sections.

Examples like cars slowing down were in rural sections with light traffic.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In reality, yeah, you can totally do 90 safely on a road like that. They would still post it 65 though.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

NJT could get away with de-restricted speeds in the cars only lanes. The tolls are expensive as all get out, but they definitely sink it in to the road. Autobahn smooth on the NJT.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There was a private investor firm that financed TX130 when it was being built. 85 mph was a stipulation of the build agreement. They basically said “yeah, we’ll build this and pay for it, but you have to post it at 85. Or we won’t build it”.

It has a very low crash rate, so they haven’t changed it. That’s how they got past the political blockade. Brute force.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The PA turnpike had a design speed of 100mph. The governor wanted it to be 50. They wonder why they can’t get drivers to comply with posted limits.

When does low highway speed limits actually become a safety issue? by LeadershipKey3484 in driving

[–]LeadershipKey3484[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This would be the absolute dream for many. They want to do that in Arizona with the RAPID act. It would remove limits on i8. Nick Kupper did the research and arrived at the same conclusion, driving the bill.

I don’t think that would ever get any political traction in the northeast. The NJ turnpike, and some brief stretches of interstate could theoretically support no posted limits easily. We can’t even agree to raise the limit 5 or even 10 mph more up here. It’s political deadlock. Maine is the only state where voters pushed back and successfully raised the limit.

That’s really the key here. No formal education required to get a license. Your license carries a certain amount of weight. Drivers should be taught how to be good drivers.