When you see a sign saying the speed limit is say, 55, how fast do you drive? ... and other questions...?

Question

Survey...

1) When you see a sign saying the speed limit is a certain value, say 55, how fast do you drive? What if it says 65? 35? Why?

2) How fast (in miles per hour above or below the posted speed limit) do you consider the fastest legal speed limit? Why?

3) If you drive faster than your answer in #2, why?

4) What does the term "speed limit" mean to you? Why?

5) (optional) In what general area do you live?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Assuming it was a clear day, under perfect conditions, I would drive the speed limit. If there were any factors making it not safe to drive that speed, I would slow down to a speed safe for the current conditions. That would include, but not be limited to, things like ice, snow, rain or construction.

Why? Well, because it is the law, and you are subject to be stopped and ticketed for ignoring it. Also that is, at least in the opinion of the highway commission having control over the road, the safe speed.

The fastest legal speed limit is as posted.

#3 doesn't apply, obviously.

Speed limit means just that. The MAXIMUM safe speed for the road you are on under perfect conditions. Again, lots of engineering time has gone into determining a safe speed for that section of road.

Oklahoma. We have a section of road where the limit suddenly drops from 65 to 45 for no apparent reason. However, that section of road had a great many accidents on that stretch before the limit was dropped. No particular reason why, except it did seem to have herds of deer crossing it during certain time periods. It was just one of those accident magnet type areas.

I suppose my ideas have been shaped by my background, and especially my time as a tow truck service picking up wrecks, some fatal.

Answer 2

1) When you see a sign saying the speed limit is a certain value, say 55, how fast do you drive? What if it says 65? 35? Why?
Usually 5 to 10 miles over the limit. depending on where it is.
2) How fast (in miles per hour above or below the posted speed limit) do you consider the fastest legal speed limit? Why?
The posted limit is the law.
3) If you drive faster than your answer in #2, why?
Usually, because I know the road and am comfortable driving faster.
4) What does the term "speed limit" mean to you? Why?
This is the maximum speed you are legally allowed to travel on this road.
5) (optional) In what general area do you live? Arkansas

Answer 3

1) When you see a sign saying the speed limit is a certain value, say 55, how fast do you drive? What if it says 65? 35? Why?

I usually try and go the speed limit, but when it is nice out and on the highway or interstate, I may go 5 miles above the limit. In snowy conditions and some rainy conditions, I will go 10 miles under the limit or more to be extra safe and cautious, especially when my kids are with me. In school zones and residential areas, I always go 5 miles under the limit so I have plenty of time to stop when a child runs out unexpectedly.

2) How fast (in miles per hour above or below the posted speed limit) do you consider the fastest legal speed limit? Why?

I think that 5 miles above on an interstate, highway, or freeway is acceptable. Why? Because they are free areas and they are always clear to where you couldn't even realize that you are speeding when you are. It is not acceptable in snowy or rainy conditions and in school zones and residential areas, I think those are posted as they should be followed.

3) If you drive faster than your answer in #2, why?

I really try not to speed, I do not like to, but sometimes the big city forces it when people behind you get on your tail.

4) What does the term "speed limit" mean to you? Why?

Speed limit means what it says. There is a limit on the speed that you should be driving. Some say it is a guideline for safety. I know that there are some states that have had a 5 mile grace on interstates, though that is changing now.

5) (optional) In what general area do you live?


Thanks!

Answer 4

It may depend somewhat on your state, but where I live what Scott D says is right. In theory a motorist is expected to know the appropriate speed limit for various kinds of roads and adhere to tha limit even in the absence of signs. From a police officer's point of view, think of it this way; A snowplow knocks down a 40 MPH sign on a county road. It's the only sign for 2 miles (also not unusual) so for those two miles now everyone thinks they have the right to go 55, right? But that would violate public safety. It doesn't seem fair, but ignorance of the law is truly no excuse. And after you've been driving for a few years, you really can predict pretty accurately what the speed limit should be. You probably already do it on residential streets--the speed limit is almost always 25 if not posted. A suggestion, though, that MIGHT reduce your fine, and WILL reduce the insurance impact of a ticket on your record: Go to court. You don't have to put together a case even. Most jurisdictions in my area will negotiate a speeding ticket down to a non-moving violation if you agree to plead no contest. You dont' even need an attorney to do so. Just show up on the date on the ticket. Typically an attorney for the municipality will want to see you to talk about the case. You can ask him/her for a stipulation or reduction of the charge. Typically they agree. Have you ever seen the crowd of people that sit in traffic court? No way they could process all of those cases without a little bargaining. Where I live "interfering with a signal" is often offered. This carries no points and is not a moving violation, but the fine is the same. Still, the insurance company wont' see a moving violation on your record, and really the fine is nothing compared to when your insurance rates go up (or your policy gets canceled!). The state and the local jurisdiction all get their little piece of your flesh and everyone's happy. My husband's done it twice in the last 5 years.

Answer 5

If the speed limit is 55 or 65 on the freeway or highway, I'll drive anywhere between 65 and 70 in the fast lane, or car pool lane if I have passengers, as long as traffic is moving that fast. Through some smaller cities where I know they crack down, I'll stay closer to 65, but through larger cities I'll try to stick at 70. Rarely faster if everyone's doing it and I have no room to change lanes. I have no problem moving over to let anyone pass me and am always paying attention for anyone trying to make a move.

In the city if the speed limit is 25 I drive 25, or 30 I drive 32 maybe, and for 35 I always drive 40, 45 = 50, etc.

My reason is that I've been told on separate occasions that cops will only bother to pull someone over if they're going 6 MPH over the speed limit in the city, and on the highways only someone going over 70 MPH. And there are enough of those, for me, driving 70, to remain under the radar.

Now about safety and why I don't obey the limit: because I don't tailgate, don't ride anyone's bumper, always signal, always get out of people's way if they want to go faster, and leave 3 seconds between me and the car in front of me for sufficient braking time, always. It's not about my car, my driving skill, but solely my conscientiousness that allows me to drive that fast safely.

I also think that I'm doing everyone a huge favor by keeping traffic moving smoothly, which is part of what driving is about anyway. If we just wanted to be 100% safe we'd take the train, but in driving a car the considerations are 33% time efficiency, 33% privacy and 33% safety.

I've never had an at fault accident, and have only gotten one speeding ticket, back when I was 21, for going 37 in a 30 zone. But that street was two lanes with a center turning lane which is usually rated 35 MPH, and a few months later it was re-signed to 35. Too late for me to fight it in court, and at 21 I had little confidence anyway.

If I ever got a speeding ticket for going 5 MPH over or for going 65-70 in a 55 I would seriously reconsider my behavior.

California

Answer 6

1) Depends on whether you are in the city, freeway, or some straight roads. but generally I would go either the speed limit or 7 MPH above it. Driving 5 MPH above the speed limit is pretty normal. But really depends, you shouldn't go over the limit when you're around a school zone.

2) Depends on flow of traffic. Like sometimes there's freeway with a posted 65 MPH limit, but sometimes people on that way go 90+, everyone. So it really depends, but generally if the sign says 65, going 75-78 is still okay.

3) Race, acceleration, lane change, flow of traffic.

4) Your privilege to go that fast under normal condition before you get pulled over for going over it.

5) Lively area of the city.

Answer 7

1) I drive the speed limit, because the speed limit is the speed limit. Sometimes I'll drive slower if the weather dictates.
2) The fastest legal speed limit is the posted limit. Duh.
3) I don't.
4) Speed limit means the maximum limit that your speed can be. How hard is that to understand????
5) Midwest

Answer 8

1.) 55=60, 65=70, 35=40
2.) i think fifteen over is safe, 10 over is what i used to do, until i got a ticket, now i only do 5 over just to be safe.. i don't want another ticket
3.) I don't.. but i think 15 over is generally safe, i think the limit is set at a lower than safe speed because it's obvious people are going to drive faster than the limit
4.) speed limit means the fastest you are allowed to drive legally
5.) salt lake city, utah

Answer 9

I drive the speed limit. Why. Because I'm not going to pay for tickets and insurance increases because of the tickets. The posted limits are the law weather you or I like it or not. They are not a suggestion so if you get a ticket it is your own fault. New Mexico where nobody obeys the traffic laws and we pay higher insurance rates because of it.

Answer 10

I drive the speed limit!