The way the laws in MD are written, no. The speed limits are written to reflect the maximum safe speed in the rain, at night, with traffic. Other states realize this, so they say that in clear whether during the day you may drive faster (up to a certain speed) as long as 1) traffic allows for it and 2) you aren't driving in a reckless or negligent manner. Example: IMO, 55 Mph on the North end of 235 is a joke on a clear day without heavy traffic. I would consider 75 or even 85 Mph to be a safe speed as long as you aren't making sudden changes in direction or velocity, or weaving through traffic like an a**.
I also believe speed limits are set to stage a "traffic flow". Take Route 5 through Leonardtown, for example... the speed limit is 40 miles per hour. If everyone were to stay at that speed limit rather than zoom to reach the tail end of the next vehicle, it automatically leaves gaps in the traffic. This allows for vehicles to come into and go out of traffic. It also allows for safer judgement calls when you are the vehicle wanting to come into traffic. The road looks clear and you take the left from the hospital exit because you know the speed limit is 40 and you would be well on your way before the next vehicle should pop over the hill, but if that vehicle is speeding, you have no out and you had know way of knowing they were zooming towards you.
They teach you to wait a few seconds for a reason.
The speeds are based on good weather, in daylight conditions and dry pavement.
Too true.
