Most States Let Drivers Exceed Speed Limit

[dwasson]

From:ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=843235&page=1)


Survey: Law Enforcement Tends to Give Motorists 5-10 Mph Speed Cushion Before Pulling Them Over
By KEN THOMAS
The Associated Press
Jun. 13, 2005 - Authorities patrolling U.S. highways tend to give motorists a cushion of up to 10 miles per hour above the speed limit before pulling them over, says a survey by a group of state traffic safety officials.

This practice creates an unsafe comfort level at high speeds and is a potential safety hazard, according to the report being released Monday by the Governors Highway Safety Association. The group found that 42 states allow drivers to regularly exceed the speed limit before they are stopped.

"This cushion truly exists across this country and in some cases is more than 10 mph above posted limits," said Jim Champagne, the association's chairman.

"Law enforcement needs to be given the political will to enforce speed limits and the public must get the message that speeding will not be tolerated," said Champagne, who also is executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Since 1994, 38 states have increased their speed limit, the report said. Congress in 1995 allowed states to raise limits above 55 mph in urban areas and 65 mph on rural roads.

A study released in 1999 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimated an increase in deaths on interstates and freeways of about 15 percent in the 24 states that had raised their speed limit in late 1995 and 1996.

The survey's release comes ahead of the association's forum this week on ways to address speeding. The goal is to make recommendations for states to consider.

"As a country, if we are going to reduce the carnage on our roadways, speeding must be given the same level of attention that has been given to occupant protection and impaired driving," Champagne said.

States reported that highway patrol officers and other authorities said enforcing traffic laws has become difficult because of uncertainty in highway safety budgets, the focus on homeland security and a shortage of officers due to retirements.

Nineteen states lack a statewide database to log speed-related citation data, the survey found. That makes it hard for policy-makers to reach conclusions about the effectiveness of their enforcement efforts.

The survey said 10 states have some kind of aggressive driving law: Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah and Virginia.

[HwyCruiser]

From:ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=843235&page=1)


..."This cushion truly exists across this country and in some cases is more than 10 mph above posted limits,"... Utah and Virginia.

Can I hear 20 mph...


anybody...


no?


:depress:

[MarauderMark]

Can I hear 20 mph...


anybody...


no?


:depress:


Shhhh we dont wanna start something.. :D

[dwasson]

In a perfect world, some state would realize that car guys are good for the economy, and advertise, "Loosest speed limits in the country." The Las Vegas casinos advertise like that.

[fastblackmerc]

Can I hear 20 mph...


anybody...


no?


:depress:
I'll second that.............

[Bluerauder]

The survey said 10 states have some kind of aggressive driving law: Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah and Virginia.
Unfortunately, it's the timid and indecisive driver's that make erratic turns or drive 10, 15 or 20 mph under the limit that cause the accidents. :mad: For the most part, the aggessive drivers (and I'm not talking here about the excessive speeders) know what they are doing and where they are going. :D Personally IMHO, I find them less offensive on the road than the azzholes with a cellphone glued to their ear and oblivious to the traffic around them.

[texascorvette]

Interstate Highways--and most other highways constructed in the last 40 years--are designed to be safely negotiated at 90MPH. That's called a "safety factor". The speed limits are set where they are, not because of the highways, but rather because of the incompetent SOB's that are allowed to have licenses. Oh, yeah, I forgot about the illegal aliens who not only are incompetent drivers but 90% of the time have no insurance. The rest of us get the priviledge of being punished with low speed limits and high insurance rates because law enforcement has nothing to gain financially by stopping incompetent illegal people with no money to pay fines.

[blackf0rk]

Speedlimits, shmeedlimits - blar blar blar blar blar... All they want is revenue. They could care less about people's safety. They just don't like dealing with people when they get into accidents either.

Tell me, how is raising or lowering a speed limit going to help anybody in the long run? Sure, it may reduce the lives lost for the complete morons who go at extreme speeds in full traffic - but they'll have it coming either way - natural selection? LOL

Seriously...it's like those signs, "Drive 25 - Keeps Kids Alive!"

So when I hit them at 25, they wont die? Of course they wont die, because I'm not 'speeding' :bs:


What I think we should do is educate the people how to drive - starting with all the little teeny-boppers who just got their license. I've said this in a previous post, and I'll say it again....we focus more attention on a how to negotiate a FRICKEN Y-TURN than on using a simple stinking 4 way stop! Lest we mention proper driving technique at 50+ MPH Do I dare rant about left hand lane drivers?

[Bluerauder]

Interstate Highways--and most other highways constructed in the last 40 years--are designed to be safely negotiated at 90MPH. That's called a "safety factor".
The original concept of the Interstate Highway system originated at the 1939 World's Fair with speeds of 160 kph (100 mph) ..... :D


Overall, however, reaction was favorable within the highway community although some observers thought the plan lacked the vision evident in the popular "Futurama" exhibit at the 1939 New York World's Fair.
The exhibit's designer, Norman Bel Geddes, imagined the road network of 1960 - 14-lane superhighways crisscrossing the nation, with vehicles moving at speeds as high as 160 km per hour. Radio beams in the cars regulated the spacing between them to ensure safety. In the cities, traffic moved on several levels - the lowest for service, such as pulling into parking lots, the highest for through traffic moving 80 km per hour. Although the "magic motorways" shown in Futurama were beyond the technological and financial means of the period, they helped popularize the concept of interstate highways.

However, WWII and financing pushed off the reality until the mid-1950's during the Eisenhower Administration. I believe the final design speed was 70 mph on 4 lane divided highways with a safety factor to 90 mph max (curves, hills, etc.). In fact, speed limits were routinely set a 70 mph until the fuel embargo of the early 1970's. Speed limits were lowered to save fuel ... not to increase safety.

Of course, traffic volume has increased dramatically. In 1960, most families had one car. Some had two. Now, most have at least two and many have three and four.

Some would say that our Interstate Highway system was patterned off of the German Autobahn which was started in the 1930's. I have driven the autobahn for at least 6 years and it is much, much more efficient than our Interstates thus allowing for higher speeds .... and yes occasionally spectacular wrecks. :rolleyes:

[Marauderman]

The survey said 10 states have some kind of aggressive driving law: Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah and Virginia.
...well I'm in NC and I'll admit- as stated above--- I follow the law and drive as aggressive as I can to maintain self respect--and "dontevin" touch me attitude that is neccessary with a MM---isn't that what we're suppose to do--just following the law.:lol:

[SergntMac]

Just when you thought you heard it all, I get this in an e-mail. Geeze...

FYI....
Subject: Speed Cameras
Date: Mon, 6 Jun 2005 13:54:31.
Source: IDOT camera vans to catch speeders (Chicago Tribune, 3/30/2005)

"Beginning in July the State of Illinois will use speed cameras in areas designated as "work zones" on major freeways. Anyone caught by the devices will be mailed a $375 ticket for the first offense, but a second ticket will cost $1000 and comes with a 90-day license suspension. Drivers will also face higher insurance premiums as the first offense remains on the record for 4-5 years, but a second offense remains for a minimum of 7 years. This represents the harshest penalty structure yet for a city using photo enforcement.

The state will begin with two camera vans issuing tickets in zones with speed limits lowered to 45 MPH. Photographs of both the driver's face and license plate are taken. Officials plan to keep at least one van in the Chicago area on the Dan Ryan and Kingery Expressways while other vans issue tickets in the rest of the state. Illinois Tollway Executive Director Jack Hartman promised more work zones: "Since the Tollway just launched our $5.3 billion Congestion Relief Plan, drivers will see more work zones on the Tollway than they have in the past."

Text of Illinois speed camera law.

Article Excerpt:
IDOT's announcement represents yet another use of technology by authorities to crack down on traffic scofflaws. Chicago has been installing stationary cameras at busy intersections to catch and ticket red-light runners. During approximately the first year of the program, cameras at 10 locations had generated 67,400 citations, city officials said last fall.


Guys...These "camera" trucks were developed for airport security after 9-11-01. They look like broadcast news relay trucks with microwave stuff up top. For sure, they can capture everything they brag of, in a snap shot of your badness in a photo.

Nice, eh?

I've got nothing against safety for the highway repairman/workman, but there are so many "work zones" around here where no work is being performed, and no single workman is in sight, I can't help to wonder if this isn't a 2005 version of a "speed trap."

What ever. Y'all be careful in Illinois, looks like the gloves are off, and it's time to dust off the C.B. radio.

[CBT]

I tend to slow in a work zone, not out of fear of a ticket but as a courtesy to the workers IF THEY ARE PRESENT. Same as if a Police Officer has someone pulled over, I'll slide over a lane or if it's blocked I'll slide as far over in my lane as I can. What do you all think about those radar guns on trailers that have the posted speed limit, then as you're approaching, it flashes your speed? Has anyone ever seen how high it would go just because it was there?

[dwasson]

Has anyone ever seen how high it would go just because it was there?

I used to hang at this bar that had a coin operated breath-a-lyzer installed. They sold a lot of booze after that as we all tried to get the high score.

[FordNut]

Can I hear 20 mph...


anybody...


no?


:depress:
I know a spot near ATL where they won't bother stopping you unless you're exceeding 85 in the 55 zone. It's all about the $$$. That's a $450 fine!

[DEFYANT]

I am not going to address the rants about ticket fines and state budgets. Been there done that!

I believe speed limits sould be relative to ones experiance. If you have the training and experiance, than the limit should be based on that. Along with access to the left lane! People with limited experiance should not be in the left lane. And you should pay a higher license fee too.

Most people who cause wrecks drove the vehicle in excess of their abilities or the vehicles capabilities. If you are driving faster than your "class" then I am well in favor of stiff penalties.

BTW, just because you can afford a fast exotic sports car does not qualify you. The training shoud be on par with a college level education with proper hands on training.

[texascorvette]

I tend to slow in a work zone, not out of fear of a ticket but as a courtesy to the workers IF THEY ARE PRESENT. Same as if a Police Officer has someone pulled over, I'll slide over a lane or if it's blocked I'll slide as far over in my lane as I can. What do you all think about those radar guns on trailers that have the posted speed limit, then as you're approaching, it flashes your speed? Has anyone ever seen how high it would go just because it was there?
The legislature in Texas snuck a little law in a couple years ago, that requires you to slow down to 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit and to move at least one lane away when an emergency or police vehicle is on the side of the road with flashers on. The Fort Worth police department set up an entrapment operation where they pretended to stop someone and then had a whole bunch of officers down the road a little way stopping folks for breaking a stupid law that no one even knew about. What a scam that was. There were a few other towns that used the same scam to bolster the public coffers until the public launched a major email chain letter campaign to let everyone know about the new law. Then about two weeks later the newpapers picked up on it, but it was old news then.

Naw, it's not about money.

[metroplex]

More feel good legislation to raise revenue...

[DEFYANT]

Naw, it's not about money.
Who do you think complains about speeders? Law enforcement by nature is reactionary. That means a problem must present itself, a citizen complains to the police, then the officer investigates. 9 out of 10 speed traps or radar stops are the result from a citizens request or in the area where speed was a direct contributor in a fatal accident.

Regardless, the last thing a LEO is thinking when he or she picks up the radar gun is "I think I make the great state some money." :shake:

[dwasson]

Naw, it's not about money.

The state of Ohio (yeah Ohio, where speeding is a sin) recently unincorporated the village of New Rome, a suburb of Columbus. New Rome ran along a short stretch of a state highway and 80% of the village finances came from traffic fines. After years as a notorious speed trap what finally got them in trouble was a contested election. An audit discovered that the village had no record of where the fines went and how the village spent money. It eventually came out that the village was run as a family business and even were ripping off their own citizens.

Giving government money is like giving whisky and car keys to teenagers.

[Shaft333]

Speeding ticket = Randomly issued go-fast tax.

What I want to know is society sets the laws, why aren't the speed limits at the speeds that most of society drives?

I prefer to drive at the speed that prevents me from getting run over by someone behind me, all while not running over the guy in front of me. The posted limits are a farce.

Our roads aren't built good enough for a high speed limit. The road construction standards need to be revamped.

[DEFYANT]

Speeding ticket = Randomly issued go-fast tax.

What I want to know is society sets the laws, why aren't the speed limits at the speeds that most of society drives?.You are correct here. Write your Govt reps and let them know you want the laws changed. thats how the system works. Problem now is, do you know who they are?


I prefer to drive at the speed that prevents me from getting run over by someone behind me, all while not running over the guy in front of me.
:lol: Now this takes the cockamaimie excuse of the day award. I have been in public service for 15+ years. As part of the local FD and currently a LEO. I have never been to a wreck where someone was "run over" because of a car behind them. Baring a stopped vehicle being rear ended, this is crap.

[Shaft333]

:lol: Now this takes the cockamaimie excuse of the day award. I have been in public service for 15+ years. As part of the local FD and currently a LEO. I have never been to a wreck where someone was "run over" because of a car behind them. Baring a stopped vehicle being rear ended, this is crap.
:rolleyes: It's called an exaggeration. My point being that a steady flow of traffic is preffered over chaos.

Yes, even I feel that anarchy has its faults.

[Badger]

I usually travel 5-10 over the speed limit. I do not like traveling with a group of cars. Either I'm passing consistantly or going slower.Anytime I'm approaching someone I consider the possibility that they are going to suddenly pull over into the lane I'm in. Over the years I've learned to read a lot of drivers actions and establish a risk factor when passing them....but it's the random action that gets you.

Politics and speed limits should not mix. Most polititians get "off the hook" for speeding it seems...or they have people driving them from place to place.
I agree that most drivers needs to have better training. Too much empasis is placed on parking skills whereas high speed merging and handling are completely ignored.

[vpalhories]

I'm not so much against the speed limits so long as they make sense and are consistent. For instance, Kansas City where I live recently (2 years I think) finished construction on 71 highway connecting downtown to 435. This is a 2-3 lane highway, separated by a VERY WIDE median (Maybe 100 Feet!). In anycase, the posted speed limit is 45 or 55 depending on where you're at. By the same token, one of the street I travel to get to my house has 2 schools, gas stations and various other businesses. Speed limit is 45 when school is out. Additionally, a portion of I-35 which goes thru downtown is also posted at 45.

That being said, how can any rational human being not be thinking that the posted 45 on 71 highway and I-35 is not setup to catch speeers?

My office overlooks the portion of I-35 where the speed limit is 45. Is it just coincidence that on a weekly basis there will be 2-3 police cruisers setup to catch speeders? I think not!

[texascorvette]

You are correct here. Write your Govt reps and let them know you want the laws changed. thats how the system works. Problem now is, do you know who they are?


:lol: Now this takes the cockamaimie excuse of the day award. I have been in public service for 15+ years. As part of the local FD and currently a LEO. I have never been to a wreck where someone was "run over" because of a car behind them. Baring a stopped vehicle being rear ended, this is crap.
I guess there are just a whole bunch of us venting because:

A) A great many speed limits are unreasonable
B) Selective law enforcement makes it appear to be a financial decision.
C) Nothing is ever done about the dumb asses in the left lane who aren't bright enough to know that their place in traffic is behind the car in front of them--not in front of the car behind them.
D) Drivers of obviously polluting vehicles are practically never stopped and their vehicle impounded, because the income derived versus the time required of the LEO rarely equals the money the jurisdiction can get from a vanilla-flavored routine traffic stop.

Nothing personal to any LEO, but, if it were really about public safety, all fines and court costs would go to charities instead of into the public coffers. The fact that all monies collected go into the general funds of the various and sundry jurisdictions says it all.