Why are US cars created with the ability to go incredibly fast, but we have such low speed limits? What are the speed limits in your area?
2006-10-03 07:27:35 · 22 answers · asked by Lt. Harris 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Commuting
Why are they aloud to make cars go so much faster than the speed limits?
2006-10-03 07:34:05 · update #1
speed limits are there to keep people safe from stupidity. back in the 60 and 70s some states did not have a speed limit. in Virginia the top speed limit is 65mph.
2006-10-03 07:30:50 · answer #1 · answered by mustang656 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I guess because in some areas there is no speed limit so you can go incredibly fast. However in most areas there is a speed limit because the faster you go, the more distance you need for braking. Also areas that have lots of people will post a speed limit to protect people from getting into car accidents.
Here in Ohio the speed limit ranges from 55 - 65 mph depending on what stretch of the highway you are driving on.
If you feel something is wrong with the way driving is set up in this country, try driving in Belgium. I read in the Wall Street Journal that many intersections there do not have a stop sign so whoever gets to the intersection first goes. If 2 cars approach the intersection at the same time, the one that does not slow down will speed through. Needless to say, the accident rate and mortality rate in that country for driving is much higher than that of the U.S. because the cars want to go through the intersection first. And the reasoning for not putting stop signs at the intersections is because it would cost too much money. Instead they just make the curbs on the street higher.
2006-10-03 17:31:42 · answer #2 · answered by potatochip 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In my area, typical speed limits for residential areas is 30 mph and 65 mph on highways. Cars have the capacity to go much faster for emergencies such as police chases or someone having a baby.
2006-10-07 13:31:17 · answer #3 · answered by cheshire cat 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since I live near a city, our highway speed limit is 55 MPH.
They make cars to go faster so they can drive on those long open roads with no curves or suddent turns, like in AZ, NV, NM, & Southeast California. The speed limit out there can go up to 110 MPH
2006-10-03 15:15:27 · answer #4 · answered by Cuddly Lez 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would they not be allowed to make cars that can exceed the speed limit? The US is a mostly free country, and to that end, they should be able to build cars that go any speed they are capable of. The drivers have the choice on how fast to drive. The speed limit here in Ohio is still 65.
2006-10-03 14:36:11 · answer #5 · answered by bmwdriver11 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
70 on the interstate.
In general, Americans tend to enjoy the torque high-power cars offer for effortless acceleration. In Europe where the engines are smaller but the speed limits are higher, people have no problems taking their car to high rpms to get power out of it. In the US, most people think that if they rev their engine anywhere close to the redline that their engines will spontaneously explode. Therefore, bigger engines are more popular in the US because of their torque.
Also, Americans enjoy their freedom and limiting our cars to the maximum speed limit would not go over well. As you probably know, most officers in the US allow at least a 10-15 mph buffer before you are pulled over.
2006-10-03 14:35:31 · answer #6 · answered by PSCMJ84 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hate it. We have these big powerful cars and i will never be able to do 100mph legally in the US. I live in Wisconsin where interstate speed limits is 65mph but i never drive the speed limit. i am usually holding about 70-75 mph. Anything above that and i be in traffic court.
2006-10-04 11:45:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the push-pull that comes with "freedom". Manufacturers are allowed to make fast cars to drive sales and push the economic engine.
Gov't understands the need to push the economy (keep people buying) but must regulate, to provide a modicum of safety for the populace.
Capitalism = "Laissez-faire"-- Govt hands off business.
Illinois max. = 65 mph cars on hwy; 55 for trucks. (Unless otherwise posted)
2006-10-11 07:37:48 · answer #8 · answered by Ustadh 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think about this. How bad is the mortality rate on the 'bahn. Pretty bad when you smack the 'benz into a bridge abutment. But in the US we know our drivers are stupid so we limit the speed.
Now the car manufacturers build them to go faster so stupid people can kill themselves on the highways and the Gov't says Oh well we told them to drive slower but they don't listen to us....
2006-10-08 14:54:14 · answer #9 · answered by Uncle Red 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
55, 65 or 70 on freeways. California
2006-10-03 14:35:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋