Some Thoughts on Speed Limits - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

spdrun · #46 08-08-2013, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Yes, but most people don't travel at those speeds. Not around here.

- Peter.

I'm saying that I felt like someone would squash me had I been doing 75 outside of city limits.

MS Fowler · #47 08-08-2013, 04:43 PM

Seems like a justification for illegal behavior going on here.
So what laws do we enforce, and who determines? Our present system is just about perfect in providing the government a reason to arrest almost anyone.

panZZer · #48 08-08-2013, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pooka

The Spanish outfit does this in several parts of the world. But they are the reason the speed limit is 85 on this section of road. Perry and others fought this higher limit until the company told them 'No 85, no road', since the company knew it could build such a road and it still be safe.

So the 85 mph speed limit did not come from the Texas DPS; it came from the owners of the road as a condition of it being built.

BUT..... Having driven that section of road for over 50 years I can attest to it becoming more and more packed. I can remember sailing down I-35 from Dallas to Austin in just three hours and then Austin to San An'tone in about one more hour after I cleared Austin. Traffic was always packed up in Austin.
To my knowlege its I10 west of san antonio that now has 85mph--NOT I35 (the pan-am hwy). the toll roads dont A F A I K
Then traffic got packed up between Austin and SA and then traffic got packed up between Dallas and Austin and now it seems like a 200 mile trip from Dallas to Austin is like driving a freeway in the city.

And crossing Austin to go south will take about an hour or more. And that is on the Interstate.

So the bypass around Austin to SA makes sense if you are a trucker or anyone else for which time is money. I think it cost about $15 or more, but it will save you at least two hours of time.

To my knowlege its I10 west of san antonio that now has 85mph--NOT I35 (the pan-am hwy). The toll roads dont A F A I K -But i have not been down there in the last yr or so.

Hatterasguy · #49 08-08-2013, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB3

here is an interesting pair of videos showing a 30s era limited access highway, compared to a modern highway, also regional difference.

The first is the Texas toll highway 130 featured on the above camaro video-

On this road, I think 85 definitely makes great sense as a limit, if not even faster-

Texas Toll Highway 130 North Between I-10 and Exit #458 Speed Limit 85 04/18/2013 - YouTube

However, heres a comparison road, this is highway 15 (merritt parkway) in CT, a late 30s design, despite constant straightenings and improvements, it remains a beautiful drive with no shoulders and sudden ramps. (video is sped up)

Driving east down the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut - YouTube

on this road the speed limit is 55. Now you can cruise at 70-75 all day, but if you look at 3.28 where a car gets on the highway, you can see why a 55 limit makes sense on such a road. There are a couple incidents in this video where someone getting on the highway causes some major braking

The problem with the parkway which they have fixed in some areas and not others is that you have to stop to get on, and pretty much stop getting off.

With a high performance car this is a blast, with a normal one it can be challenging.

My buddy with the S600 used to get on from a stop and people would start to change lanes to leave him room...he would kick that V12 in the a$$ and pull away from them before they even got close to him.

Now a 240D OTOH....would be a challenge.

Skippy · #50 08-08-2013, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

I do not understand the rational about a grace speed above the posted limit. If the limit is set at 60 then do 60. If a grace is standardized at +5 then everyone will do 65 and that is the speed limit so post it at 65.

If posted speed limits were reasonable, I would agree with you. For example, I-80 in Nevada from Fernley to Sparks is currently signed 65. People generally go 80-90. If it were signed at 90, and then strictly enforced, that would be reasonable.

Mölyapina · #51 08-08-2013, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

I do not understand the rational about a grace speed above the posted limit. If the limit is set at 60 then do 60. If a grace is standardized at +5 then everyone will do 65 and that is the speed limit so post it at 65.

Two reasons:

1) Speedometer error.
2) Driver error (without cruise control, it is impossible to maintain an exact speed)

Those two, coupled together, could bring someone close 65 when he thinks he is only doing about 60.

Fulcrum525 · #52 08-08-2013, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

There's always THIS:

Michigan police buy doughnut shop

Ok THAT'S Hilarious

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

The problem with the parkway which they have fixed in some areas and not others is that you have to stop to get on, and pretty much stop getting off.

With a high performance car this is a blast, with a normal one it can be challenging.

My buddy with the S600 used to get on from a stop and people would start to change lanes to leave him room...he would kick that V12 in the a$$ and pull away from them before they even got close to him.

Now a 240D OTOH....would be a challenge.

You have to be AWAKE to drive on the Merit. I few months back I saw someone in a Camry going exactly 50 in the fast lane and would not move over for ANYONE or ANY reason. I watched from a distance as about 25 cars all passed him on the right. A few of these passes were pretty tight and there were almost a few accidents (Serious his license should have been taken away and his car crushed!)

Mölyapina · #53 08-08-2013, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

You have to be AWAKE to drive on the Merit. I few months back I saw someone in a Camry going exactly 50 in the fast lane and would not move over for ANYONE or ANY reason. I watched from a distance as about 25 cars all passed him on the right. A few of these passes were pretty tight and there were almost a few accidents (Serious his license should have been taken away and his car crushed!)

But the poor old Camry...!

Fulcrum525 · #54 08-08-2013, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna

But the poor old Camry...!

Tank Car Crush - YouTube

Brian Carlton · #55 08-08-2013, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB3

posted speed limits don't really bother me. Locally the speed limit is 65 on limited access highways, and thats generally my cruising speed on such. I can understand the 55 limit on curvy old highways like merrit, taconic, huchinson. Enough people run off the road and into trees on those roads that its worth it to drive slower.

See if you can do the Merritt at 65mph.........and hold it.............at night!!

Then, try the same thing on the Taconic..............the M/B cannot do it............the 740iL can.

Guaranteed to increase the pucker factor.

Mölyapina · #56 08-08-2013, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

Tank Car Crush - YouTube

...but those are Pontiac Grand Am! The Camry isn't an exciting car, but at least it's great at what it's supposed to do...! The Grand Am stunk!

davidmash · #57 08-08-2013, 10:04 PM

I guess I was not clear. I do not agree with an 'official' grace as that applies to everyone. That is why I am OK with cops having the ability to use a judgment call on whether to stop someone or not.

Seeing the condition on a lot of the cars on the road and the driving ability of quite a few people I cannot imagine a road with a 80 or 90 mph limit where I would feel safe. I know my cars and I are capable of safe travel at that speed, I know others and their cars are just an accident waiting to happen.

Hatterasguy · #58 08-08-2013, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

See if you can do the Merritt at 65mph.........and hold it.............at night!!

Then, try the same thing on the Taconic..............the M/B cannot do it............the 740iL can.

Guaranteed to increase the pucker factor.

I bet an A8 or a W222 could do it at 80 or more without to much fuss. Also it would be one of the rare times that night vision would be helpful!

aklim · #59 08-08-2013, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna

Two reasons:

1) Speedometer error.
2) Driver error (without cruise control, it is impossible to maintain an exact speed)

Those two, coupled together, could bring someone close 65 when he thinks he is only doing about 60.

I think I saw that one used in court. Judge said "If a non-functioning speedometer was a valid reason for speeding, nobody would have a functioning speedometer. GUILTY".

Brian Carlton · #60 08-08-2013, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

A modern car can, cars have come a loooong way since the W126 and E38.

I bet an A8 or a W222 could do it at 80 or more without to much fuss.

They could do the Merritt at 80 mph...........not the Taconic..........a wall would be in their future unless they were very, very good.

Also, I don't buy the argument that the A8 or the W222 can have handling that far exceeds the capability of the E38. They do have the capability of the horsepower, however.