Prevailing Speed

pitch wrote:

How fast is the PREVAILING speed in your area?

Impossible to answer as posed. It varies too much.

Most places I've been in the US, the prevailing speed usually is about 5 over.....if the conditions allow.

I think you are somewhat obligated to NOT be a rolling roadblock on a 2 lane highway; whatever it takes to prevent that.

On a 4 lane or more......no such obligation.

The speed people go on the interstates and the speed I drive my coach are two different things. I will not drive the coach over 65 mph and most of the time, I drive around 62 mph. The Honda CRV I pull states to not go faster than 65 and I do not want to drive the coach any faster than that anyway, The speed limit on the interstate can be as high as 80 mph.

I drive the speed limit or a little under. Speeding in a large RV is unsafe.

4X4Dodger wrote:
the limitations of their vehicle and most importantly...their own driving skills and limitations

You are absolutely correct! However, the majority of people are excellent/skilled drivers. Just ask them. :W

I rarely ever travel the "prevailing speed limit". It is usually faster than I am comfortable with while towing.

I have found that if I don't know an area, traveling the posted speed limit is usually okay for most conditions. This is when I don't know the intersections, corners, etc. This doesn't always work - we were visiting friends in Pennsylvania farm country, and the tight / narrow roads combined with 6-8 foot high corn growing almost to the edge of the road (basically completely blocking sight lines at intersections) made me slow down substantially.

If I am holding up traffic, I certainly will pull over when able to let vehicles by.

People should be driving what the Road Conditions, Weather conditions, Traffic, the limitations of their vehicle and most importantly...their own driving skills and limitations dictate. Not what the "prevailing Speed" is or what anyone else does.

In an unfamiliar area I stick to the posted speed limit. If traffic backs up behind me, I pull over and let it pass.

If you chose to ignore the speed limits and are leading a string of traffic, you set the prevailing speed. Most of the traffic will go as fast as you. They know you will be the first to enter radar or other speed enforcement locations.
While you're getting stopped, they slow down, smile and continue down the road.

There are too many municipalities that have a number in their budget for anticipated revenue from traffic fines.

I chose to not help increase their budgets.

When we travel in the RV, I'm not in a hurry. I pull off the road when needed, and practical, to allow the Type A road rage people to pass.

But, that's me. YMMV

In an unfamiliar area drive what is comfortable for me.
Do not worry about the other folks unless I start backing up traffic. I will pull over to let others get by.

my prevailing speed on 55 two lane highways is 62. On the interstate it is 65.

Prevailing speed in our area is 75mph. Too fast for safely or efficiently towing my TT.