Why can't we build a highway from east coast to west that would be designed fot 90-95 MPH speed limits?

Question

It could be similar to the European Autobahn....and could have rails built for a little safety.....It would sure save a lot of time driving from coast to coast.

Answer 1

I agree! But it would need to be well built and well maintained and also have minimum speed limits as well!

Answer 2

There are several important differences between the Autobahn and American Interstate system, not least of which that our roads are not nearly as well maintained. While most U.S. Interstates are made of asphalt, the Autobahn is made of concrete, which is more expensive. We patch potholes and fill in cracks, but in Germany if a section cracks or breaks it is entirely repaved. To sustain such high speeds the road must be absolutely smooth, and higher taxes in Europe allow for a greater investment in infrastructure. Also, driving exams are more stringent, and the minimum driving age is 18. The use of turn signals and passing only on the left is strictly enforced. Finally, where there are speed limits, speeding tickets are indexed for income so that everyone pays according to their means (no wealthy folks flaunting the rules just because they can easily afford the maximum fine).

Answer 3

The governemnt likes the airplane industry, and you do not know about what they did after the oil embago all throught the 70's and 80's. 55 MPH speed limit! Living on the west coast, that is unbearable.
But that could happen when we can put cars on auto pilot for freeways. When the technology for that (already invented) has become commonplace, we will travel faster on freeways.

Answer 4

There is a law of nature that exists that adds wind resistance to any moving object. That's why one cannot achieve reasonable MPG at 95. In fact, if one would pay attention to the news, it has explained so many GD times I want vomit! Thank You.

ps. The US interstate system is almost identical to the German Autobahn, thats where "Ike" got the idea. Did you go to school?

Answer 5

I'll have to agree with those who said it's because of the lousy American drivers, who have no idea of lane discipline or yielding to the faster car.

We have Interstate highways in the USA right now that are safe to drive at 90-95 miles per hour, but the idiots who hog the left lane doing 50 MPH in the old clapped out Toyota will need to be retrained.

Answer 6

Because we spend all our time teaching everybody that going fast is bad rather than teaching responsible driving. Imagine all those idiots on the highway who can't drive well at 55. Now almost double their speed. It's kinda scary.

And a reason that's probably even more accurate - speeding tickets give states money.

Answer 7

genuinely genuinely everyone fairly suggested what i might desire to have, so i'm unlikely to repeat myself. even nonetheless, reckoning on the city or section, the final factor that officers ought to difficulty approximately often times are site visitors violations. on the city that I stay in, you are able to normally have been given a minimum of sixty 5 mph on a fifty 5 mph velocity cut back highway and not ought to difficulty approximately something considering law enforcement officers have drugs and different concerns to fret approximately. on the city next to me (it fairly is fairly high quality), you may get pulled over for doing 26 on a highway with a 25 velocity cut back. that's because of the fact the police right here have not something better to do, or not virtually as lots to stress approximately outdoors of site visitors violations.

Answer 8

There's too many people with 30 MPH brains to make this work with any success. And how many cars on the road are unsafe at any speed? The time spend held up from accidents wouldn't make it worth it even if it was economical fuel wise.

Answer 9

We do have highways that we can run 90-95 MPH on right now but the American motorists are lousy drivers with no lane discipline. I don't just mean lousy drivers...I mean LOUSY drivers. It is much too easy to get a driver's license in this country.

Answer 10

Can you imagine the piles of rubber lining the road from tires not speed rated for 95-110 (you know someone will go over the limit).

Answer 11

Because we don't need them. We should however build Maglev train systems and local maglev called SkyTran at http://www.unimodal.com/ Cost is less than a quarter of that of highways and Light Rail.