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2010-05-17 07:51:12
Jay
Bork! Bork! Bork!
+2,006|5648|London, England
Why do speed limits exist? Are they nothing more than revenue generators or do they serve some real purpose in protecting public safety? I ask this question because the highest speed limit in America is 70 MPH(112.65 KPH) but they sell cars with a top speed over 200 MPH for use on public roads. If they were really serious about enforcing these speed limit laws, wouldn't it make more sense to legislate a governor on each vehicle that limited it's top speed to 70 mph? How about installing a small radio frequency device in every speed limit sign that sends a signal to the car that adjusts it's top speed up or down?

Now, obviously I wouldn't agree with something like this, free will and all, but when 90%+ of the drivers on the road are blatantly ignoring the posted speed limit, why do they even exist in the first place? And since they do exist, why isn't more done to enforce the law?

Last edited by JohnG@lt (2010-05-17 08:00:27)

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat
2010-05-17 07:58:25
ghettoperson
Member
+1,943|6939

I think speed limits are a good idea on certain roads, for example in built up areas and near schools and things like that, but otherwise they're pointless. Everyone speeds, including cops. We've been honked at by a cop because we stuck to the speed limit on a road when we noticed he was behind us.
It's all about driving as to how safe the road is at that time; drivers should be able to make their own judgement as to how safe it is to go what speed. If it's pissing it down with rain, you should be going slower than if it was bone dry. And obviously more traffic on the roads means you can't go as fast. But in the dry, with minimal traffic, 250kph (155mph) is perfectly safe, you just need to make sure you're far enough from other cars to be able to adjust for things that happen in front of you.
2010-05-17 08:43:13
jord
Member
+2,382|6968|The North, beyond the wall.
Most roads here are 30mph and everyone does 40mph because it's just natural on a long, straight and wide road...

I've been on a country lane that was 60mph that should have been 30mph however, shit was well dangerous...
2010-05-17 08:43:37
pace51
Boom?
+194|5463|Markham, Ontario

JohnG@lt wrote:

Why do speed limits exist? Are they nothing more than revenue generators or do they serve some real purpose in protecting public safety? I ask this question because the highest speed limit in America is 70 MPH(112.65 KPH) but they sell cars with a top speed over 200 MPH for use on public roads. If they were really serious about enforcing these speed limit laws, wouldn't it make more sense to legislate a governor on each vehicle that limited it's top speed to 70 mph? How about installing a small radio frequency device in every speed limit sign that sends a signal to the car that adjusts it's top speed up or down?

Now, obviously I wouldn't agree with something like this, free will and all, but when 90%+ of the drivers on the road are blatantly ignoring the posted speed limit, why do they even exist in the first place? And since they do exist, why isn't more done to enforce the law?
In Canada, stephen harpers government is actually doing really well when it comes to speeding enforcement. Less "second-chances", more severe sentences, and fines worthy of America's hospitals.
2010-05-17 08:45:03
Mekstizzle
WALKER
+3,611|6911|London, England
Yeah you said it, it's about the money. Same for why they let car manufacturers make and sell cars that go way above the limits anyway, brings in some good tax money to have an open market like that. It's always about the money, primarily. But there is still a huge amount of genuine safety concern in having speed limits.
2010-05-17 08:54:19
13urnzz
Banned
+5,830|6787

i just dropped a bundle on a speeding ticket. the town doesn't have traffic school to keep it off my insurance, but for an extra $50 and no tickets there for six months, viola! they will hold my plea in abeyance. fuck traffic school anyways, everyone passes for a price . . .
2010-05-17 08:56:08
eleven bravo
Member
+1,399|5549|foggy bottom
how many of you guys are actual drivers?
Tu Stultus Es
2010-05-17 08:58:33
eleven bravo
Member
+1,399|5549|foggy bottom
I sure dont want to be dodging people going 80 mph on the 110 freeway.
Tu Stultus Es
2010-05-17 08:59:59
jord
Member
+2,382|6968|The North, beyond the wall.
Me, why?

The speed limit should probably be kept as a law, but perhaps raised a lot. Nobody needs to go 200mph on a motorway, but 70mph is perhaps too low. A figure off the top of my head would be 140mph...
2010-05-17 09:01:22
eleven bravo
Member
+1,399|5549|foggy bottom
also, AZ speed limits are 85 mph
Tu Stultus Es
2010-05-17 09:01:26
DesertFox-
The very model of a modern major general
+796|6975|United States of America
There's a reason they exist, but I don't think it's the one they intended. Look at how many accidents occur these days with speed limits in place. If I recall material from a lecture correctly, vehicle collisions are one of the leading causes of unintentional injury in this country. People already "know" how to drive, but you really need them to pay attention to others at all times. Imagining a world without speed limits is maddening. I already get freaked out when I look in my rearview mirror and see someone frantically trying to brake so they don't rear-end me.
2010-05-17 09:03:15
eleven bravo
Member
+1,399|5549|foggy bottom
what funny about speed limits is if you are going 65 mph on the fast lane you are driving too slow

Last edited by eleven bravo (2010-05-17 09:03:39)

Tu Stultus Es
2010-05-17 09:09:46
ghettoperson
Member
+1,943|6939

DesertFox- wrote:

There's a reason they exist, but I don't think it's the one they intended. Look at how many accidents occur these days with speed limits in place. If I recall material from a lecture correctly, vehicle collisions are one of the leading causes of unintentional injury in this country. People already "know" how to drive, but you really need them to pay attention to others at all times. Imagining a world without speed limits is maddening. I already get freaked out when I look in my rearview mirror and see someone frantically trying to brake so they don't rear-end me.
So drive in one of the slower lanes.
2010-05-17 09:11:03
-Sh1fty-
plundering yee booty
+510|5764|Ventura, California
Speed limits are selected for various reasons. Some are obvious, like around school areas the speed will be lower so you can avoid a potential accident with a kid who jumps in front of your car. Usually it's the highest possible speed you can drive while being able to control your car and possibly avoid an accident. If you go over the speed limit, you are putting other lives at risk, not just your own.
And above your tomb, the stars will belong to us.
2010-05-17 09:46:12
KEN-JENNINGS
I am all that is MOD!
+2,982|6922|949

Speed limits exist because insurance companies exist.  Same reason federal safety belt laws exist.  Insurance companies lobby government to impose federal and statewide guidelines to limit the liability of the insurance companies in case of crashes.

I thought cars have governors in them that limits the top speed to ~ 125mph or so already?
2010-05-17 10:08:05
Flaming_Maniac
prince of insufficient light
+2,490|6997|67.222.138.85

JohnG@lt wrote:

I ask this question because the highest speed limit in America is 70 MPH(112.65 KPH)
This is so fucking stupid it's like you're trolling.

JohnG@lt wrote:

legislate a governor on each vehicle that limited it's top speed to 70 mph?
And this is so fucking stupid for blatant safety reasons.
2010-05-17 10:10:13
DesertFox-
The very model of a modern major general
+796|6975|United States of America

ghettoperson wrote:

DesertFox- wrote:

There's a reason they exist, but I don't think it's the one they intended. Look at how many accidents occur these days with speed limits in place. If I recall material from a lecture correctly, vehicle collisions are one of the leading causes of unintentional injury in this country. People already "know" how to drive, but you really need them to pay attention to others at all times. Imagining a world without speed limits is maddening. I already get freaked out when I look in my rearview mirror and see someone frantically trying to brake so they don't rear-end me.
So drive in one of the slower lanes.
That wouldn't help, my good sir. Going back to the first sentence I ever wrote on this forum:

DesertFox- wrote:

Face it: People are stupid.
It's one hell of a stretch to assume that everyone else is paying attention to driving.
2010-05-17 10:10:55
13urnzz
Banned
+5,830|6787

JohnG@lt wrote:

I ask this question because the highest speed limit in America is 70 MPH(112.65 KPH)
no, through much of rural Utah the interstate highway speed is 80mph. same with Nevada. ok, in Idaho those fuckers wouldn't dare exceed 65mph, the state troops have the sheeple pretty well trained . . .
2010-05-17 10:22:12
Trotskygrad
бля
+354|6289|Vortex Ring State
A car going 100 mph has much less of a window to react in the chance of an accident (say, your tire blows out or you lose control of the steering), or to objects that may be on the road. Also, at 100 mph, your chance of injury/death is much more higher than at 60mph.
2010-05-17 10:53:27
13rin
Member
+977|6769
Man... I wish there were more minimum speeds.  Going 20mph in a 45mph should carry a death sentence.  I have a great fuzz buster.  It has saved me countless $$.  I'm going to put one on mah' bike too.  Speed limits suck.
I stood in line for four hours. They better give me a Wal-Mart gift card, or something.  - Rodney Booker, Job Fair attendee.
2010-05-17 11:01:35
Jay
Bork! Bork! Bork!
+2,006|5648|London, England

burnzz wrote:

JohnG@lt wrote:

I ask this question because the highest speed limit in America is 70 MPH(112.65 KPH)
no, through much of rural Utah the interstate highway speed is 80mph. same with Nevada. ok, in Idaho those fuckers wouldn't dare exceed 65mph, the state troops have the sheeple pretty well trained . . .
The highest speed limit that I've experienced is 70 mph and that was in Texas. I've driven through Utah, Nevada and Arizona and don't remember ever seeing a higher speed limit. The top speed limit in the northeast is 65 mph.
"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat
2010-05-17 11:02:36
eleven bravo
Member
+1,399|5549|foggy bottom
arizona has speed limit signs posted for 75 mph all over the 10. I know some spots it has 85

Last edited by eleven bravo (2010-05-17 11:03:04)

Tu Stultus Es
2010-05-17 11:07:21
Flaming_Maniac
prince of insufficient light
+2,490|6997|67.222.138.85
I have personally driven  in 80mph speed zones and 75mph speed zones. I can't believe you made such a blanket statement based on your own experience.
2010-05-17 11:14:38
Jaekus
I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose
+957|5469|Sydney
Speed limits are there mainly for reaction times, and the conditions of the road.

Hence why you're meant to slow down at schools, so you can brake safer and in shorter distance if an errant child should run out on the road without looking. Or if the road has a lot of bends the signed limit is there for you to take the road safely even in wet weather (most of the time). Also for "black spots" where some bad accidents have happened, they'll sometimes put up lots of signs and a speed camera to ensure motorists slow down (a prime example here in Australia is the Pacific Highway heading north to Byron Bay after Ballina, or south bound vice versa).

A lot of people drive pretty dangerously, speed cameras ensure they slow down at least for a bit and make the road a little safer.
2010-05-17 11:15:03
Jay
Bork! Bork! Bork!
+2,006|5648|London, England

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

I have personally driven  in 80mph speed zones and 75mph speed zones. I can't believe you made such a blanket statement based on your own experience.
Whatever, you picked out one part that was completely irrelevant to the central argument.
"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

 

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