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Why are we so weird about speed limits (US)? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 2 hours ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
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  1. Why does everyone drive 10-15 miles above the speed limit?

  2. Why don't we raise the speed limit if that's how fast everyone wants to go?

  3. Why is traffic enforcement given to very expensive and ineffective police instead of cheaper and more automated traffic cameras?

  4. Why do we refuse to ever use ANY traffic calming measures? Yes, than you flashing digital sign for telling me I'm going 10 miles above the limit on this incredibly wide and straight and flat road with high curbs and perfect visibility.

It's a serious confusion I have about how society is supposed to operate because it seems like a complete and total breakdown of logic and sense.

And, yes, I know there's some thing people did long ago to set the speed limit at some percentile of what people were already traveling at, but that's obviously a stupid way to do it and we did it anyway. So why?

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[–] [S] 6 points 1 hour ago (1 child)

I also drive the speed limit as of about 2 years ago, which is why I bring this post up. But I'm basically the only one. People are constantly passing me, even on a double yellow line. In fact, it's gotten so obnoxious, that I'll sometimes drive just a touch below the speed limit when there's a safe pass (like a 4 lane road) to encourage people to pass me instead of them wondering, "Is this guy going to speed up?" for a few a minutes before finally passing.

Anyway, I didn't mention my law-abiding ways because I assumed the hatetrain would derail the conversation.

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  • [–] 2 points 43 minutes ago

    I've always gone the speed limit or just a tad above (because of traffic flow) because going any faster is inefficient in so many ways and only increases risk. Even on a long trip that 10 mph over is only going to gain a few minutes, and you've used more fuel. Why bother? Plus there's the fact you mention elsewhere of not standing out as a target. Not that it matters, I feel enforcement is highly variable, and I've seen on highway trips people going 20 or more over in a construction zone, and I wonder where the cops are. Only when they feel like it, I suppose.

    The one good thing about a toll road that I'd support is how it can measure an average speed, and someone speeding that much over has no way to easier balance out the math at the end, so instant ticket/justice. I mean, they could just limp the last mile or pull off, but that's waving red flags to anyone monitoring.

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