Actual driving speeds
I think it would be helpful for a lot of people to know what the local acceptable speeds are. We all know 55 is a fantasy, so what do you really drive at home. Central NY is good for 57 to 63...
Forum Discussion
pitch wrote:
...I am in unfamiliar territory. I wish to go some place in the region. I am not on an interstate.
At what general speed will other traffic I encounter be traveling?...
The speed I drive will also partly depend on the terrain and roads I am driving on in "unfamiliar territory". If the road is steep up and down, blind curves, etc. and I have NEVER driven on it, you can bet I will not be going fast - maybe 45 mph, even if the speed limit higher. If I have been on it enough to memorize where I need to slow down due to sharp curves, then I'll be driving the speed limit.
If it is a flat wide open you-can-see-for-miles type road like those often found in the Midwest/west, then I just might exceed the speed limit by a few MPH's.
If I am in a residential area, no matter the terrain or how often I have driven the road, then I ALWAYS do the speed limit. Even if that means dropping from 60 mph to 20 mph for a mile or two. This often severely PO's the people behind me, but I'd much rather drive slow and be prepared for traffic turning out of side streets/driveways.
If it is a busy multi-lane road, I try to go with the flow of traffic within reason. I do not like being the speed bump going the speed limit when everyone else is doing 15-25 mph higher.
