National Speed Limit

[GlynMeek]

I just read this online...

"Senator John Warner (R-VA) - elected in 1978 - recently expressed interest in the idea of a national speed limit to conserve gasoline. Warner, who is not running for re-election this year, wrote to U.S. Secretary of Energy Sam Bodman, asking "at what speed is the typical vehicle traveling on America's highways today most fuel efficient?"

Warner told TIME his concern is for "the many millions and millions [of Americans] of limited means, sitting around their kitchen table trying to figure out how to make ends meet." Unlike long-term alternative energy sources, Warner says, a speed limit would work to bring down gas prices immediately. "Maybe some guy's got a better idea," he says. "But I haven't seen it."

The National Maximum Speed Limit of 55 mph was created in 1974, when Richard Nixon signed the Emergency Energy Highway Conservation Act. Prior to that, states had been free to set their own speed limits, but the new law threatened to strip Federal highway funding from any state straying above the national standard. The ostensible purpose of this limit was to keep down gas prices, which had been driven through the roof by an OPEC embargo touched off by the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. And with gas-prices once again sky-high, Warner isn't alone in talking up a cap on speeding.

Jackie Speier, a first-term Democratic congresswoman from California, is already on the case. Earlier this month, she introduced a bill that would cap highway speed limits at 60 mph - 65 in rural areas. It's currently awaiting a hearing before the House Committee on Transportation. Warner says he hasn't contacted Speier, but adds that he'd be willing to "stroll out on the floor" in favor of a speed-limit bill. He has yet to propose a similar bill in the Senate."

With Republicans AND Democrats, and with the House AND Senate in on this one, we are ALL doomed and we can't even blame the other side...LOL

Glyn

[392cobra]

Glyn,
Why don't they just tell the people with "limited means" to slow down while on the highway to save themselves a couple dollars ?

And leave everybody else the h*ll alone.

[4into4]

Agreed Fred. If someone chooses to go slow, they can. They need to obey those signs that say " Slower traffic keep right " so that they're not in the way.

[tcrist]

Originally Posted by 4into4

Agreed Fred. If someone chooses to go slow, they can. They need to obey those signs that say " Slower traffic keep right " so that they're not in the way.

I agree to the slower traffic staying to the right. But If I am doing the speed limit in the fast lane, why should I have to pull over and let someone speeding pass me. They are driving illegally.
Note: I almost always move to the right. The only time that I do not is when someone runs up my a$$ and tailgates. Then they can kiss my a$$. If I choose to run under the speed limit (which is a lot of the time), I always stay in the slow lane.

Terry

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by tcrist

I agree to the slower traffic staying to the right. But If I am doing the speed limit in the fast lane, why should I have to pull over and let someone speeding pass me. They are driving illegally.
Note: I almost always move to the right. The only time that I do not is when someone runs up my a$$ and tailgates. Then they can kiss my a$$. If I choose to run under the speed limit (which is a lot of the time), I always stay in the slow lane.

Terry

Because you are breaking the law.The left lane is a passing lane ONLY.It is not supposed to be a"travel lane".And again,if you impede traffic,regardless of speed,YOU are the violator.

[tcrist]

Originally Posted by JBCOBRA

Hey tchrist
If you were the @ss that almost got me killed, I pity you for being the way you are.
Are you in denial?
I certainly don't mean to be personal. That is not my nature. But, if You chose to put me in a situation that may cost me my life...............then it is truely is personal.

First, There is no "H" in TCRIST.

Second, Unless you moved to the central valley of Calif. and did not update your profile then it would be kind of hard for me to almost get you killed.

Third, Pitty me for being the way I am? Read my first post on this. It stated that only sometimes I will stay in the fast lane. Normally I drive in the slow lane.

If you almost got killed by someone while driving, that sucks. I am glad that you did not get hurt.


Actually (being serious here), I know that staying in the fast lane and not pulling over for someone that is driving faster is against the law. I have always known that. The point that I was trying to get accross is that if you are driving the "max speed limit" in the fast lane, you should not have to pull over for someone that is speeding. After all if they were not breaking the law then me driving the speed limit in the fast lane would not mean anything to them.
According to the "many" police officers that I know "my Lady works for the sherrifs department", the #1 cause for traffic accidents is "" SPEEDING "". They said that they would only say anything to someone driving the speed limit in the fast lane if there were more that "3" cars behind them and then they would only tell them to move over. They would not write them a ticket.

Has any of the people responding here ever drove in a populated area in Calif? The normal is to use every lane that is available. There are way too many cars on the road to just leave the fast lane open for people to pass you. Besides, the speeders would be the ones that would stay in the fast lane and never get out of it because "they would always be passing someone". I.E. it is standard to stay in the fast lane here in Calif. Thes people also have no respect for the law or they would not be speeding in the first place. I know, I know, I have no respect for the law for staying in the fast lane either. I know someone will reply that way so lets get it out of the way now.

Also remember my statment about the comments about "using the chrome horn", "using the pit manuver", "running someone off of the road on purpose". The things that I and "people like me" were somewhat threatend with. as I said before, what has been said about that is " assult with a deadly weapon". People that stay in the fast lane could get a ticket for a minimal amount, only if the police decided to write one.
I have seen the same cars, day after day, speeding and tailgating during my commmute to work. There is a friend of mine that drives like that and it is because he never leaves on time. He has to drive that fast to try to either make it to work or to an appointment on time. Instead of driving that fast, why not leave 5 to 10 min earlier and drive slower.

Read my first post on this,

Originally Posted by tcrist

I agree to the slower traffic staying to the right. But If I am doing the speed limit in the fast lane, why should I have to pull over and let someone speeding pass me. They are driving illegally.
Note: I almost always move to the right. The only time that I do not is when someone runs up my a$$ and tailgates. Then they can kiss my a$$. If I choose to run under the speed limit (which is a lot of the time), I always stay in the slow lane.

Terry

How many of you responed because you thought that I intionally jump to the fast lane and slow down to 10 MPH under the speed limit just to block traffic.

It does not say that. I agree that I am wrong for holding up traffic in the fast lane but (as I said previously), If I am driving the speed limit and if the guys or gals behind me were not speeding then then it would not matter.

No, two wrongs do not make a right. I will agree with that.

Now, I have waited to post again on this figuring that it would just go back to what the post was about in the first place but it looks like you guys will not let it go so I felt the need to respond.

Say what you want and maybe Jamo or Ron will just close this thread. Remember, It was not me that has threatened others.

This will be my last post on this thread so have fun and enjoy life because life is too short to argue all of the time. Believe me on this. I know what I am talking about.

Have a nice life.
Terry

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by tcrist

1)Say what you want and maybe Jamo or Ron will just close this thread. Remember, It was not me that has threatened others.

2)This will be my last post on this thread so have fun and enjoy life because life is too short to argue all of the time. Believe me on this.3) I know what I am talking about.

Have a nice life.
Terry

1)oooh,oooh,Mr Kotter,Mr Kotter!!-Barbarino threatened me
2)Especially when you're wrong
3)Not by a long shot.

[JTN]

Hey tcrist -
It's the people like you, ( "I'm doing the posted speed limit, so i own the left lane" ) that make an already SCREWED UP Bay Area commute even worse.

Second, Unless you moved to the central valley of Calif. and did not update your profile then it would be kind of hard for me to almost get you killed.

Third, Pitty me for being the way I am? Read my first post on this. It stated that only sometimes I will stay in the fast lane. Normally I drive in the slow lane.

If you almost got killed by someone while driving, that sucks. I am glad that you did not get hurt.


Actually (being serious here), I know that staying in the fast lane and not pulling over for someone that is driving faster is against the law. I have always known that. The point that I was trying to get accross is that if you are driving the "max speed limit" in the fast lane, you should not have to pull over for someone that is speeding. After all if they were not breaking the law then me driving the speed limit in the fast lane would not mean anything to them.
According to the "many" police officers that I know "my Lady works for the sherrifs department", the #1 cause for traffic accidents is "" SPEEDING "". They said that they would only say anything to someone driving the speed limit in the fast lane if there were more that "3" cars behind them and then they would only tell them to move over. They would not write them a ticket.

Has any of the people responding here ever drove in a populated area in Calif? The normal is to use every lane that is available. There are way too many cars on the road to just leave the fast lane open for people to pass you. Besides, the speeders would be the ones that would stay in the fast lane and never get out of it because "they would always be passing someone". I.E. it is standard to stay in the fast lane here in Calif. Thes people also have no respect for the law or they would not be speeding in the first place. I know, I know, I have no respect for the law for staying in the fast lane either. I know someone will reply that way so lets get it out of the way now.

Also remember my statment about the comments about "using the chrome horn", "using the pit manuver", "running someone off of the road on purpose". The things that I and "people like me" were somewhat threatend with. as I said before, what has been said about that is " assult with a deadly weapon". People that stay in the fast lane could get a ticket for a minimal amount, only if the police decided to write one.
I have seen the same cars, day after day, speeding and tailgating during my commmute to work. There is a friend of mine that drives like that and it is because he never leaves on time. He has to drive that fast to try to either make it to work or to an appointment on time. Instead of driving that fast, why not leave 5 to 10 min earlier and drive slower.

Read my first post on this,




How many of you responed because you thought that I intionally jump to the fast lane and slow down to 10 MPH under the speed limit just to block traffic.

It does not say that. I agree that I am wrong for holding up traffic in the fast lane but (as I said previously), If I am driving the speed limit and if the guys or gals behind me were not speeding then then it would not matter.

No, two wrongs do not make a right. I will agree with that.

Now, I have waited to post again on this figuring that it would just go back to what the post was about in the first place but it looks like you guys will not let it go so I felt the need to respond.

Say what you want and maybe Jamo or Ron will just close this thread. Remember, It was not me that has threatened others.

This will be my last post on this thread so have fun and enjoy life because life is too short to argue all of the time. Believe me on this. I know what I am talking about.

Have a nice life.
Terry[/quote]

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by tcrist

...

According to the "many" police officers that I know "my Lady works for the sherrifs department", the #1 cause for traffic accidents is "" SPEEDING "".

...

When I took statistics, I realized that the idea behind it was to try to make the numbers mean whatever you want them to mean.

How about we look at this a different way. Let's say 85% of the cars on the road are exceeding the speed limit. And further 85% of accidents that happen involve one or both of the vehicles exceeding the speed limit. Would that prove that speeding was the number #1 cause of traffic accidents? Are the similar percentages related in such a way? I could argue that speeding was not even a factor. If 85% of drivers on the road are Caucasian, does that mean the #1 cause of traffic accidents is being Caucasian? More likely I could argue that the #1 cause of accidents was a vehicle that was in motion relative to another vehicle.

[Kzof]

Originally Posted by tcrist

I agree to the slower traffic staying to the right. But If I am doing the speed limit in the fast lane, why should I have to pull over and let someone speeding pass me. They are driving illegally.
Note: I almost always move to the right. The only time that I do not is when someone runs up my a$$ and tailgates. Then they can kiss my a$$. If I choose to run under the speed limit (which is a lot of the time), I always stay in the slow lane.

Terry

oh oh, watch out, "The Fun Police"

[Seagull81]

"Let's all jump on the band wagon". That's all those politicians do anymore. Heck, here in Texas no one drives the speed limit anyway. What you think will save money on gas will cost you in speeding tickets when you don't. Looks like more speed traps in the making. Like we don't have enough around here now.
Steve

[brobehr]

Cleverly disguised revenue enhancement...oops i mean saving lives of course... : )

brobehr

[Smokingcobra2]

Here in ct they now let local police keep part of the ticket revenue. GuESS what--- more tickets are being issued-I WONDER WHY- just wait till they lower the limits.
joeg

[Bob In Ct]

Since 1972 my daily driver has been a 4 cylinder (high mpg) econo-box. This has saved me and the world a significant amount of gasoline. It has also allowed me to drive higher speeds and greater distances without going broke. Now some AH in congress figures it's my fault that the country uses too much gasoline. It's not my fault that the rank and file driver chooses to get 14 MPH. As far as I'm concerned everyone got what they deserved. The same lawmakers that fought the CAFE standards now want me to slow down. They can all go to hell.

Bob

[Rich A]

They need to obey those signs that say "Slower traffic keep right" so that they're not in the way.

So True.

But If I am doing the speed limit in the fast lane, why should I have to pull over and let someone speeding pass me. They are driving illegally.

In certain areas if you don't pull over you will end up with bullet holes in your car. It easier just to move over before you start road rage.


People look in your rear view mirror once in a while, the mirror is there not only for backing up and putting on make up!

[RalphSchmalph]

Terry,
I'm surprised to hear a Cobra owner say he stays in the "passing lane" to spite those who want to pass! You are forcing faster drivers to pass you on the right which as you know is a dangerous maneuver. Please re-consider your position and try not to control the behavior of other motorists by preventing them from passing you on the left.

[HI Cobra]

Hawaii is about the worst state I have driven in for doing just that - people
cruising under the speed limit in the left lane - everyone just passes on
the right. It is a treat for me to drive on the mainland where it seems most
do stay in the right lane if they are going slower.

[Barnsnake]

It's "Slower Traffic Keep Right", not "Below the speed limit keep right".

On a freeway the key to safe and efficient traffic flow is to drive with the flow of traffic. If the flow is too fast for you, move to the right lane. If it's still too fast for you, get on the access road. If there's no access road, there's a secondary road that will get to your destination. In my opinion, "Squatting" in the left lane should be a capital offence, or at least grounds for license suspension.

You should NEVER be the original cause of anyone applying the brakes on a freeway.

[tcrist]

I should have stated that this is in my daily driving, not in the Cobra. Although that really should not matter. Anyway, I am not saying that the slower traffic should not stay right. What I am saying is, if I am driving the speed limit, why should I have to pull over for some a$$ that wants to drive 20 mph over the speed limit and instead of holding back at a distance until the driver in front of him gets into the other lane. They pull within 2ft at 65 MPH. That is just as wrong as staying in the fast lane. I am not saying that I am right, but either are they. .
Barnsnake, What if I am driving with the flow of traffic and some a$$ runs up on me and stays 2ft off of my bumper. I was told by a police officer once that if you feel uncomfortable about the distance someone is from your rear bumper to tap the breaks to let them know.

Anyone want to get started on the motercycle lane sharing crap. I have road motorcycles all of my life. I have never had the need or want to pass someone in the same lane doing 65-70 mph. This is at least a Calif thing. I dont know about anywhere else.

Terry

[HI Cobra]

I am always watching my rear view mirror and if I see someone coming at
me when I am passing someone I just get out of the way and let them by
before they get to me - that way they can run point for me for the radar
around the next curve. You start playing with the brakes with some of the
locals here you may end up in the hospital - not fair, granted but that's the
way it is. True aloha spirit!