Speed limits?
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From: Dallas, Texas
Speed limits?
Back when I was a youngster in the 80's the Interstate highways speed limits were 55 mph. Now they are 70mph. I guess it was dangerous to drive 70 mph in the 80's but now for some strange reason its safe?
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From: Vernon, NY
Originally Posted by Daveg99
Back when I was a youngster in the 80's the Interstate highways speed limits were 55 mph. Now they are 70mph. I guess it was dangerous to drive 70 mph in the 80's but now for some strange reason its safe?
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From: Dallas, Texas
Originally Posted by ManualF150
No it's because cars/trucks can go faster without feeling like they are going to fall apart... being that driveshafts are precision balanced, and tires and rims can be weighted and balanced correctly... not to mention most cars are lighter... another thing to a lot of people have i4s and they get good gas mileage while going fast because they are their appropriate power band.
(not trying to be a **** to you but I am pissed and having an argument on anothe rmessage board about fighting a traffic ticket)
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From: Pikesville, MD
Had nothing to do with safety...
"The national speed limit was originally intended to save fuel, not lives. In the early 70's, an Arab oil embargo created a serious gasoline shortage in the United States. In 1973, the 55 mile an hour speed limit was signed into law by President Richard Nixon, and later endorsed by President Carter, who touted improved safety, as well as fuel economy."
Originally Posted by From a report at PBS
"The national speed limit was originally intended to save fuel, not lives. In the early 70's, an Arab oil embargo created a serious gasoline shortage in the United States. In 1973, the 55 mile an hour speed limit was signed into law by President Richard Nixon, and later endorsed by President Carter, who touted improved safety, as well as fuel economy."
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From: Northern VA
The feds took control of the speed limit back in '73 due to an oil crisis. It was set at 55 MPH and widely ignored. The limit was pushed up to 65 in 1987 and the law was repealed in 1995, giving control back to the states.
That's why you can find sections of I-10 in Texas w/ 80 MPH speed limits. Of course, VA is stuck in the slow lane at 65 MPH pretty much all over the state, except parts of I-85.
That's why you can find sections of I-10 in Texas w/ 80 MPH speed limits. Of course, VA is stuck in the slow lane at 65 MPH pretty much all over the state, except parts of I-85.
Last edited by Nytehawk; Dec 4, 2007 at 04:46 PM.
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From: Dallas, Texas
and texas has 65 at night and 70 during the day. I wish they would raise it up to 80-85mph. I bet in about 10-15 years they will.
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From: the moral high ground
I remember that well.
I got my license in '72.
What a kick in the pants, 55 nationwide!
Me and Sammy Hagar were real upset about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfNATuw1DRs
Last edited by Raoul; Dec 4, 2007 at 04:49 PM.
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I got my license in 1993.
I have been over to Germany a couple times (uncle lives there and all my moms side of the family lives in Italy). I love the autobahn. Its the best highway in the world. If your car can do it then they let you! And people there are not allowed to pass on the right which is another great law!
I have been over to Germany a couple times (uncle lives there and all my moms side of the family lives in Italy). I love the autobahn. Its the best highway in the world. If your car can do it then they let you! And people there are not allowed to pass on the right which is another great law!
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From: Lost some where in the middle of the Ozark Mountains!
Another major improvement is also brakes.
With 4 wheel anti-Lock and 4 wheel disk, improved designs and materials, Along with improved tires and suspension stopping distances have decreased alot too. You can now stop 70-0 in less time shorter distances than you could the pre 80's cars 55-0. That is one thing that the bike can't do.
Another reason I've heard. Is that supposedly 55 mph is to comfortable. People feel more safe at 55 (it will kill you just as fast) but they are more likely to not pay attention or even dose off vs 70 which is outside most peoples current comfort zone. (Which would explain why the Autobahn with no speed limit has the least accidents than any other interstate highway in the world.
Also another one is traffic congestion. Get the cars moving and get them to their destination (off the road) as timely as safely as possible. Kind of like playing the odds in Vegas. Clears rush hour sooner. Every minute of rush hour, or you in traffic, raises the odds of a wreck. They run the statistics calculate all the data, then try to find a balance to lower the odds. Right now 70 seems to be the agreed balance.
With 4 wheel anti-Lock and 4 wheel disk, improved designs and materials, Along with improved tires and suspension stopping distances have decreased alot too. You can now stop 70-0 in less time shorter distances than you could the pre 80's cars 55-0. That is one thing that the bike can't do.
Another reason I've heard. Is that supposedly 55 mph is to comfortable. People feel more safe at 55 (it will kill you just as fast) but they are more likely to not pay attention or even dose off vs 70 which is outside most peoples current comfort zone. (Which would explain why the Autobahn with no speed limit has the least accidents than any other interstate highway in the world.
Also another one is traffic congestion. Get the cars moving and get them to their destination (off the road) as timely as safely as possible. Kind of like playing the odds in Vegas. Clears rush hour sooner. Every minute of rush hour, or you in traffic, raises the odds of a wreck. They run the statistics calculate all the data, then try to find a balance to lower the odds. Right now 70 seems to be the agreed balance.
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From: TEXAS
I remember that. And it always seemed that it was on a long stretch of deserted highway. It use to be that from South Texas to San Antonio. 250 miles of 55 mph with nothing around. Also from San Antonio to El Paso. Now. thankfully most are 70 and some are 80. IMO 80mph is a good highway speed. Not too slow, and makes you feel like you are making some progress.
I also read somewhere that the other reason for the speed limit was to conserve on gas. the higher the speed the more gas you waste.
I also read somewhere that the other reason for the speed limit was to conserve on gas. the higher the speed the more gas you waste.
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From: Lost some where in the middle of the Ozark Mountains!
Originally Posted by Daveg99
and texas has 65 at night and 70 during the day. I wish they would raise it up to 80-85mph. I bet in about 10-15 years they will.
Originally Posted by TX-FX-4
I also read somewhere that the other reason for the speed limit was to conserve on gas. the higher the speed the more gas you waste.
I get my best MPG at 85 mph.
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From: Northern VA
Originally Posted by Daveg99
I got my license in 1993.
And people there are not allowed to pass on the right which is another great law!
And people there are not allowed to pass on the right which is another great law!
Not supposed to do that in Virginia either... but then again, where I live, people drive in all the lanes, all the time. Gotta love NoVA!!!!!!