HOV Lanes ARE NOT a Speedway

I've ridden with drivers who stay behind the bus going 45 because they're afraid to pull out and pass. If they finally do, they're the ones who drive 55 in the HOV. I've ridden with drivers zipping in and about cars in their way. I've ridden with drivers who let it all out in the stretch of empty roadway (rare anymore, but sometimes it happens). How Scarlett got a ticket for RECKLESS is an outrage! Where are the cops to catch the CHEATERS?! Every now and again, they crack down - perhaps once every quarter or towards the end of the month when "quota" needs to be met. Scarlett - take that ticket to court and plead down to a lesser speed, 15-19 miles over the limit is better than 20+. IF the cop doesn't show up for court, it's all mute anyway. No cop, no witness.

I know it seems like we've beat this subject to death, but I had to add some information about an experience I had this morning. It's pretty funny that you are all talking about folks doing 80, and how that's too fast. Today, I had the "pleasure" of riding in a Mustang convertible (in the backseat, no less) going 95mph. If you recall, it was pretty windy this morning, and boy oh boy did that wind have a HUGE effect on my sense of safety in that vehicle. Before we even got on the HOV, we were beside a tow truck in the regular lanes, and a large sheet of metal from the vehcile in tow fell off and the driver had to swerve to miss it. At that speed, we were lucky the driver noticed the sheet metal, or else it could have been a tragedy.

NO ONE should be driving 95 mph ANYWHERE.

Let's fill up the Rt. 17 lot and ease up on Mine Rd.!!

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Originally posted by scottt
[br]Oh god, not the "speed kills" thread again. We beat this one to death last time......

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I apologize in advance, but I have to say this:

Speed doesn't kill...stupidity kills.

If US drivers were subjected to the same driver education standards and licensing requirements (cost: ~$2,000 US), enforcement (speed cameras, citizen reporting, etc) and resultant penalties for traffic violations that driver's in Germany are, we would have less problems. Germans understand that having a driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle is a PRIVLEGE!!! As Americans, we tend to believe it is one of our RIGHTS.

I am not saying that German drivers are better than the average US driver, but common courtesy on the road and an adherence to the “Rules of the Road” are both taught and enforced throughout Germany. The rule of “Left Lane, Passing Only” is something that is strictly adhered to and if you fail to move right for a car traveling faster than you are, the driver can legally report you to the Polizei (Police) who will mail you a citation.

Most US drivers know that unless a law enforcement officer actually sees them driving aggressively (well beyond the capability of their vehicles or themselves) they will not be caught and cited for their stupidity unless if by some chance they get into an accident without killing themselves or someone else.

Another factor that adds substantially to the "speed kills" debate is the quality of our highway system. The German government spends an average of $900K per mile annually to maintain the Autobahn. The US spends <$250K per mile. While the Eisenhower Interstate System was modeled after the Autobahn, it is nowhere near the quality of the Autobahn.

Slow down and drive within both your capabilities and the capabilities of the vehicle you are driving. A Cadillac Escalade, Ford Excursion, Honda Civic Hybrid or any other vehicle should not be driven at 80 or 90 in rush hour traffic. Wait until you get out in the wide open expanse of Texas.

Leave 10 minutes early and if you leave late, call your boss and just say, “Left home a bit late, will be there as soon as traffic will allow me”. It is the message your boss would rather hear, than your loved one getting a call from the State Police saying you were killed in a single car accident directly caused by speeding and aggressive driving.

Now getting off my soapbox….

Thanks.



John

YES MDC,

If in the left lane and cars are passing you on the right you should absolutely move into the right lane. The problem is that the excessive speeders want BOTH lanes. If someone going is going 75 in the left lane and an 80+ driver wants that space, sometimes the 75 driver can't get over due to the 65-70 drivers in the right lane. AND then there are the 80+ drivers that don't care what lane they drive in as long as they can drive THEIR speed limit. That is what irks me. I'm PERFECTLY happy tooling along at 72 or so in the right lane, until I've got people whizzing by my left side and riding my bumper until they TOO can whiz by my left side.

ScarletLSG

Speaking of Florida, southern states apparently don't have a problem with high speeds - once you get out of Virginia its 70 mph. Its 70 mph in West Virginia too and that is through the mountains.

I am a speeder - I'll admit it. Sorry.

Yea, this is a dead horse, why are we discussing this again?

[:o)]

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Originally posted by scottt
[br]Fed_up, I'll quote you again. "The driver had more than enough opportunity to reduce the speed". Again, I have to fault you. If he had to adjust his speed because of something you did, then (IMHO) you are in the wrong. If he sped up, then I fault him. But if he maintained his speed throughout your maneuver, and you didn't complete your pass before he was upon you, you misjudged the distance. I turned 16 in Florida, and I'm not sure if it is still this way or not, but if you were on the driving test, and another driver had to use their brakes because of something you did, you failed INSTANTLY. Happened to a few in my driver's ed class.

You didn't commit a capital offense, you shouldn't be dragged out and shot, but you did goof. Happens to all of us. :-)

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Dina