Quote:
Originally Posted by devilsadvocate
YMMV but in our state we actually have signs saying "Slower Traffic Keep Right". You wouldn't think much more would be necessary, but... 
Most states have something like a Basic Speed Law wherein the speed limit for that road is whatever is reasonable for the prevailing conditions. If the flow of traffic is doing 70, the speed limit is then 70 regardless of what the sign says. If you're doing 55, you're the problem; even if the posted speed limit is 55 . In our state you can actually be cited for this though it tends to be discretionary. [ Expletive] in the pricey sedan threading traffic bumper-to-bumper at 15-over is dangerous, no doubt; but so is the person(s) driving slow enough to obstruct traffic.
Moral of the story: When it comes to traffic, Go With The Flow. If you're not in a hurry, take the scenic route. If 65/70/75/whatever is too fast for you, take surface-streets or learn to stay on the right. I shouldn't have to cut an extra 2 hours out of my day to accommodate your selfishness. |
Speed is a tricky one. We have all kinds of propoganda over here telling us nonsense such as speeding is a factor in 90% of all accidents and similar. Of course, this is designed to promote the use of speed cameras to screw motorists again on top of punitive petrol taxes.
The truth is that it is
inappropriate speed that is dangerous. I can drive past a primary school when all the children are streaming out at 30mph and I can drive down an empty motorway at 3:00 in the morning at 80mph. Only one of those is illegal, but only the other one is actually dangerous. Similarly, if the speed limit is 70mph, but it is snowing a blizzard and -20 centigrade, driving at that speed would be suicidal.
In my opinion, it's just common sense - unfortunately, that's a rare commodity it seems.