75 Speed Limit - How Fast

I don't see how mandating that someone who may be unable to safely pilot their vehicle at higher speeds, drive above their capability, is going to be safer than having that person safely able to keep their vehicle under control, albeit a bit slower.

OTOH, someone who can't maintain safe control of their vehicle while avoiding other slower moving traffic, may be more of an issue than a slow driver.

Forcing everyone to drive at higher speeds just isn't the wise move. I've seen too many people that have trouble keeping control at city street speeds.

Personally I drive at whatever speed feels comfortable. In the truck pulling the toyhauler, usually around 65 mph, and I usually slow down a tad in heavy traffic, just to keep some space around me. That truck and trailer do not swerve, or change directions all that quickly and safely. On the bike, I'll be the one passing nearly everyone. :)

Yep, it's the slower guy that is the problem. If we would just find the highest recorded speed on that highway and require everyone to run at that speed, just imagine how safe we would all be.

What might make sense is to actually understand that we are all traffic, not just those that run at illegal speeds, and instead of giving the fast crowd the consideration, but instead come back to common sense and let the fast crowd adjust to my speed. If they can't grow up it's their problem.

valhalla360 wrote:

12thgenusa wrote:
Most interstate highways also have a posted minimum speed of 55 mph. If traffic engineers thought that was so unsafe don't you think they would increase that number?

Those that think slower drivers are unsafe should probable slow down theselves in case they overtake one of these "unsafe situations".

I am a traffic engineer...max and min limits on freeways are set by politicians not engineers.

Actually in many places we have been successful in increasing the truck speed to 65mph because it creates safety problems when you have a small number of vehicles going substantially below the average.

The ideal for safety is to have everyone going the same speed.

Thank you for your professional information not that it will change any of the opinions here about driving slow not being a hazard but very nice to hear from a traffic engineer about slower traffic being a hazard for everyone else.

Mike134 wrote:

JRscooby wrote:

And for everybody talking about how a vehicle rolling 20 MPH below limit, in the right lane of a 4 lane divided highway? Are you saying you drive with your head so far up your rectum that you can't miss a parked car while driving 20 MPH? And calling somebody else a hazard?

/\ /\ /\ THIS what a great analogy!! It accurately describes how they must drive. Thank you.

In a rural low volume situation, it's not great but it's not to big of a deal.

In a congested setting, you create large queues and natural inclination is for drivers to jockey trying to get around the rolling roadblock. That's just reality, so best not be make rolling roadblocks.

12thgenusa wrote:
Most interstate highways also have a posted minimum speed of 55 mph. If traffic engineers thought that was so unsafe don't you think they would increase that number?

Those that think slower drivers are unsafe should probable slow down theselves in case they overtake one of these "unsafe situations".

I am a traffic engineer...max and min limits on freeways are set by politicians not engineers.

Actually in many places we have been successful in increasing the truck speed to 65mph because it creates safety problems when you have a small number of vehicles going substantially below the average.

The ideal for safety is to have everyone going the same speed.

12thgenusa wrote:
Most interstate highways also have a posted minimum speed of 55 mph. If traffic engineers thought that was so unsafe don't you think they would increase that number?

Those that think slower drivers are unsafe should probable slow down theselves in case they overtake one of these "unsafe situations".

"the survey showed that 14 states still use 40 mph minimum speed limit signs, 10 states use 45 mph, and 1 state uses 55 mph. Furthermore, the survey showed that 25 states do not post minimum speed limit signs."

Long boring Highway and it's 75 I sure do 75 as my tires are rated to do so and the 34k combo handles GREAT at that speed.

Most interstate highways also have a posted minimum speed of 55 mph. If traffic engineers thought that was so unsafe don't you think they would increase that number?

Those that think slower drivers are unsafe should probable slow down theselves in case they overtake one of these "unsafe situations".

The sweet spot for my truck when towing is 65. I have traveled Idaho and their 80 MPH limit. I settle in behind a big rig, relax, and enjoy the ride. They usually keep it where I am comfortable. If I drift to 70 MPH, no big deal.

agesilaus wrote:

In a congested urban freeway, doing 15-20mph under the prevailing speeds is dangerous both for you and for others, so don't be a jerk and keep up with traffic.

First, we do our best to avoid these places but

Second: I have yet to find a big city interstate with the speed limit over 65 and 55 is most common, And I often have to change lanes to catch a coming exit. Maybe your city is different....

It isn’t the congested urban freeway in the PNW, it is the congested rural freeway. I5 carries a lot of traffic in rural Oregon, and much of it is only two lanes in each direction. The speed limit is 65 auto 60 truck, most of the time the left lane is running 70 to 75 with the occasional 80 driver. Watching the packs in that lane run very close to bumper to bumper makes it difficult for traffic to move out of the right to the left to pass. The right lane runs mostly at 65, so while only a 5 mph difference to same lane traffic, it is 15 to 20 to the left lane.