🚀 go-pugleaf

I'd like to offer the perspective of someone who is new to this area, and
has regularly driven in a variety of other states in the past. 

First, I don't believe the speed at which people drive here is the problem
at all.  The danger comes mostly from the arrogance of a large minority of
drivers who refuse to use signal lights and make sudden lane changes.  My
favorite maneuver -- which I have witnessed in this area much, much more
frequently than anywhere else -- is when a temporary slowdown in one lane
occurs, causing autos to scream up from behind and, without braking or
signalling, swerve sharply into adjoining lanes, ostensibly passing traffic
in the "slow lane".  Illegal or not, this is an indefensibly unsafe practice,
much, much more dangerous than exceeding the speed limit by an extra 5mph.
In contrast, drivers in this area also prove well-skilled in ignoring traffic
merging from on-ramps and seem most unwilling to move over the extra lane even
at very light-traffic times.

Speed limit signs are a regular problem for those like me who consistently
drive in unfamiliar territory.  Each state and city, even particular highways,
each have their own conventions about what the acceptable speeds are, which 
often only the locals know.  This can increase the danger factor, too, because,
to a newbie, the signs are worthless predictors of what the local traffic will 
actually do.  Speed limits should be more realistically posted if only for this
reason (or post additional signs which give "representative" as opposed to
"legal" speeds).

Since I feel safer driving at the speed of those around me, I regularly drive
above the posted limits.  Yet, I have never been pulled over by an officer.
This I have always attributed to driving _consistently_:  no sudden changes
in speed; no unnecessary weaving; signalling before changing lanes; and braking
when necessary.  Its been my experience that officers will more readily pull
over, or even just radar check, the irregular drivers; I've even been a 
passenger in cars pulled over just for these reasons.  This is the best
strategy I know, anyway, to avoid radar locks, tickets, court appearances, etc.


bradley s.