Warning speed traps in the morning

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Well there went my plans to drive 235 today. I don't want to get distracted by the radio, go a few miles over the limit, and get a ticket. I'll do my errands tomorrow.

My Brother's Ex used to do that; prob'ly still does; "fiddle" with the radio, CD's, whatever, while doing 70+ with kids in the car.

 

[TPD]

2) After you pull out into traffic move your a**

I don't recall seeing this in the Maryland Driver's Handbook.... :shrug:

 

[glhs837]

The posted speed limit was derived as the maximum safe speed for road conditions not only to satisfy the dude driving from one end of the road to the other, but for the several other cars that are also navigating onto and off that road as well as many other factors. You flying over a hill exceeding the speed limit is most certainly more of a danger to others than someone doing the posted speed limit.

Ah, no, the speed limits are not derived as the max safe speed. Heres what the SHA has to say.........

Basic speed limits for various streets and highways are set by Maryland vehicle law. However, in many instances, these statutory limits do not account for actual highway and traffic conditions important in the safe and efficient movement of traffic. Thus, the law provides that these limits can be raised or lowered based on the results of traffic engineering studies.
WHAT CONDITIONS INFLUENCE SPEED LIMITS?

Speed limits often are set higher or lower than the statutory limits when one or more of the following circumstances are present:
Atypical traffic characteristics because of particular land use or other conditions.
Road design elements substantially above or below what are typical.
Prevailing speeds consistently higher or lower than the statutory speed limit.
Transition between rural and urban areas on major highways.
Schools or other significant pedestrian traffic areas.
Road construction activity.
Frequent collisions in which speed is a contributing cause.
Unusual or unanticipated conditions.
After a speed limit is established, changes in these circumstances could prompt further traffic engineering study to determine if it needs to be raised or lowered.

Speed Limits

And you can argue that folks should be all following that limit, but face it, it's not going to happen. Folks travel the speed they feel safe at. And when limits are set below the speed at which most folks feel safe, then most folks will be speeding. I saw that article, and I find it interesting that while we are given the number of crashes, we are not given any previous years numbers.

That leads me to believe that the number of crashes is actually less in 2011 than it was in 2010. Since I think the real reason for this enforcement wave is to generate citation numbers in support of a push for automated enforcement in these two areas (both can be designated school zones for a lot of their length, allowing the use of speed cameras.)

I cant wait to see the final numbers on citations issued from this. Failure to yield, unsafe lane changes, improper lane changes, the really unsafe behaviors? Bet those end up being less than %10 of the citations issued.

 

[awpitt]

My observation is that a lot of drivers do not look far enough ahead of them while driving to anticipate what may happen. I believe most drivers are only watching the car immediately in front of them. I am always looking a quarter to half mile in front of me, giving me plenty of time to react to a change. If you are a tailgater, you should be using this technique - it could avoid some rear end collisions for you.

I do the same thing. Situational awareness goes a long way.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

I don't recall seeing this in the Maryland Driver's Handbook.... :shrug:

It should be in there.
IDK, I guess for some folks, they were absent the day common sense was handed out.

 

[kwillia]

All the more reason we should be obeying the posted speed for a given road:

WHAT CONDITIONS INFLUENCE SPEED LIMITS?

Speed limits often are set higher or lower than the statutory limits when one or more of the following circumstances are present:
Atypical traffic characteristics because of particular land use or other conditions.
Road design elements substantially above or below what are typical.
Prevailing speeds consistently higher or lower than the statutory speed limit.
Transition between rural and urban areas on major highways.
Schools or other significant pedestrian traffic areas.
Road construction activity.
Frequent collisions in which speed is a contributing cause.
Unusual or unanticipated conditions.

After a speed limit is established, changes in these circumstances could prompt further traffic engineering study to determine if it needs to be raised or lowered.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

My observation is that a lot of drivers do not look far enough ahead of them while driving to anticipate what may happen. I believe most drivers are only watching the car immediately in front of them. I am always looking a quarter to half mile in front of me, giving me plenty of time to react to a change. If you are a tailgater, you should be using this technique - it could avoid some rear end collisions for you.

There are those (not me though) that would argue; yes, looking that far ahead is a good practice; but to the contrary, around here, the one's that cut you off etc. are right in front/along side of you.
So, what good does looking 1/4 to 1/2 mile ahead do?

 

[glhs837]

All the more reason we should be obeying the posted speed for a given road:

WHAT CONDITIONS INFLUENCE SPEED LIMITS?

Speed limits often are set higher or lower than the statutory limits when one or more of the following circumstances are present:
Atypical traffic characteristics because of particular land use or other conditions.
Road design elements substantially above or below what are typical.
Prevailing speeds consistently higher or lower than the statutory speed limit.
Transition between rural and urban areas on major highways.
Schools or other significant pedestrian traffic areas.
Road construction activity.
Frequent collisions in which speed is a contributing cause.
Unusual or unanticipated conditions.

After a speed limit is established, changes in these circumstances could prompt further traffic engineering study to determine if it needs to be raised or lowered.

All the more reason speed limits should be set using the %85 percentile rule.

 

[bcp]

What you've described is an example of traveling at an unsafe speed and speeding.

And yet, if we had the pleasure of these people sharing their wisdom here, we would be enlightened to the fact that the road is safe at 70, and the problem is all those pesky driveways. The situation that makes it unsafe is not doing 70, but those people that have the nerve to exit their driveway at less than 70mph.

When I pull out I get up to the 50 as quick as possible, but no more than 50, so if you fly over the hill and Im there, you might want to consider backing down to the 50, I keep it slow like that in order to give others that live on the road a chance of pulling out without dying.

 

[awpitt]

There are those (not me though) that would argue; yes, looking that far ahead is a good practice; but to the contrary, around here, the one's that cut you off etc. are right in front/along side of you.
So, what good does looking 1/4 to 1/2 mile ahead do?

TPD never suggested that drivers should look 1/4 to 1/2 mile ahead and only 1/4 to 1/2 mile ahead. When driving, your eyes should always be scanning the immediate area, the area 1/4 to 1/2 mile ahead, the rear view and side mirrors. Your eyes should always be in motion, never looking in just one direction. Just looking at the cars right in front & along side of you is not enough.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

TPD never suggested that drivers should look 1/4 to 1/2 mile ahead and only 1/4 to 1/2 mile ahead. When driving, your eyes should always be scanning the immediate area, the area 1/4 to 1/2 mile ahead, the rear view and side mirrors. Your eyes should always be in motion, never looking in just one direction. Just looking at the cars right in front & along side of you is not enough.

Well, yeah. Especially 'round here.

 

[glhs837]

And yet, if we had the pleasure of these people sharing their wisdom here, we would be enlightened to the fact that the road is safe at 70, and the problem is all those pesky driveways. The situation that makes it unsafe is not doing 70, but those people that have the nerve to exit their driveway at less than 70mph.

When I pull out I get up to the 50 as quick as possible, but no more than 50, so if you fly over the hill and Im there, you might want to consider backing down to the 50, I keep it slow like that in order to give others that live on the road a chance of pulling out without dying.

Has anyone on this thread advocated that folks travel whatever speed they want? Or 70 in a 50? Nope, nobody has. But there might very well be sections of that road that are safe at 70, given proper attention to your surroundings and driving skill and a properly functioning vehicle. But cresting a hill where you do not have proper sightlines, that would be a place where backing down the speed would be advisable.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Has anyone on this thread advocated that folks travel whatever speed they want? Or 70 in a 50? Nope, nobody has. But there might very well be sections of that road that are safe at 70, given proper attention to your surroundings and driving skill and a properly functioning vehicle. But cresting a hill where you do not have proper sightlines, that would be a place where backing down the speed would be advisable.

MY advice? You wanna do 70 and 80 on the road?
I40W is a good place for that. Posted speed is 70, but even the truckers are doing 80-85.

 

[glhs837]

Who me? Only where its safe and within 8-10mph of the posted limit A lot closer is the stretch of I-95 between F-burg and DC. That road is nuts. Not sure what it's posted, but people freaking flying through there. I dont get my thrills through straight speed, anyway, I'm more of a cornering kinda guy.

I might like to see my cars top end someday, but very few places that could support that west of the Missisipi, so I dont even think about it Saving up to get anther track day with the SRT guys, maybe next year. 80-90 through corners, now THATS a thrill. 115 in a straight, needing max braking to make that next turn, a barrel of monkeys worth of fun. But that stuff isnt to be done on the streets, just not safe.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Who me? Only where its safe and within 8-10mph of the posted limit A lot closer is the stretch of I-95 between F-burg and DC. That road is nuts. Not sure what it's posted, but people freaking flying through there. I dont get my thrills through straight speed, anyway, I'm more of a cornering kinda guy.

I might like to see my cars top end someday, but very few places that could support that west of the Missisipi, so I dont even think about it Saving up to get anther track day with the SRT guys, maybe next year. 80-90 through corners, now THATS a thrill. 115 in a straight, needing max braking to make that next turn, a barrel of monkeys worth of fun. But that stuff isnt to be done on the streets, just not safe.

Ever been to Bonneville SP? Salt Flats?

 

[glhs837]

Drove by there once. Was in a 1989 Ranger pickup, not very tempting We had two owners way out west, got spotters and did a top end run, one behind the other. Guy behind, his leading edges got sandblasted by the stuff kicked up by the first guy. At +170, sand hurts

 

[bresamil]

My Brother's Ex used to do that; prob'ly still does; "fiddle" with the radio, CD's, whatever, while doing 70+ with kids in the car.

for me its more like I drive a little faster with a fast song and slower with a slow song. I stopped seriously speeding (10+ miles over the limit) in 1991 when I was pregnant with kiddo 1. But in Maryland they will give you a ticket for being 1 mph above the speed limit and I don't have that bill in my budget.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Drove by there once. Was in a 1989 Ranger pickup, not very tempting We had two owners way out west, got spotters and did a top end run, one behind the other. Guy behind, his leading edges got sandblasted by the stuff kicked up by the first guy. At +170, sand hurts

I don't have anything to take out there; don't know anybody that does; but it would still be neat to see it in person.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

for me its more like I drive a little faster with a fast song and slower with a slow song. I stopped seriously speeding (10+ miles over the limit) in 1991 when I was pregnant with kiddo 1. But in Maryland they will give you a ticket for being 1 mph above the speed limit and I don't have that bill in my budget.

The reason for that primarily, is revenue for the state; what they do with it besides put it in somebody's pocked, I don't know; but it's also a reason for "Johnny Law" to roust you. With this new 'No texting while driving" law; it's just gonna get worse. JMO

 

[bcp]

The reason for that primarily, is revenue for the state; what they do with it besides put it in somebody's pocked, I don't know; but it's also a reason for "Johnny Law" to roust you. With this new 'No texting while driving" law; it's just gonna get worse. JMO

seriously? the ONLY reason for no texting while driving is for revenue?

You cant see any other reason? none at all?


I dont think the fine is high enough for this.