🚀 go-pugleaf

Bruce Harper wrote:

>In article <d9a89t07hf3ik4cedd10bq0gtk3v79mnru@4ax.com>, Brandon
>Sommerville <gti@null.net.gov> wrote:
>
>> >Sorry I bothered.  Trot out your "85th percentile" zealots to gloat.
>> 
>> Instead of getting upset, why do you think the speed limits are being
>> ignored?
>
>It isn't upset so much as it is frustration and annoyance at the
>seemingly increasing number of drivers who have a "the hell with the
>rules, I'm more important than anyone on the road, anyone in my way
>is an obstruction, and I'll speed if I want to because I'm a damn
>good driver" attitude.  The justification for a lot of the speeding
>on the interstate seems to be the "85th percentile" measurement of
>speed and no other factors should ever come into play.  

When it comes to interstates, there are few if any other factors that
should come into play.  The real problem as I see it is that people
know they can safely travel at over 70 mph down most interstates and
faster on the rest, so signing them at 55 was a huge blow to the
credibility of all speed limits.  Raising the limit has helped, but
speed limits in specific and traffic laws in general are disrespected
due to having speed limits incorrectly set.  The 85th percentile
method is proven to work.

>I see the
>same attitude daily here in Blacksburg.  Speed limits, even in town
>and on residential streets, mean nothing.  Red lights are meant to be
>run if it means stopping might be inconvenient -- and I don't mean
>drifting through the light because stopping would require locking the
>brakes, this is the light turns yellow when the brat is 10 car-lengths
>or more from the stop-bar and they just roll right on through with no
>effort to slow or stop.  A 19-year-old student was killed last
>Saturday night on a street in town -- she was the passenger in a pickup
>truck that plowed into a car that pulled out in front of it.  The
>accident is still under investigation, but the indications are that
>speed was a factor -- both vehicles were flipped in the collision.
>"Me first, I'm good" -- speed -- meets "me first, I'll pull out if I
>want to and the other driver can change lanes" -- arrogance.  One girl
>dead, four others injured, and two vehicles totalled.

There is also little to no real driver training happening these days.
If you make it too difficult to get a license, the "Right to drive"
crowd gets all offended.  Never mind the fact that actually training
drivers *before* they get their licenses will make them significantly
better drivers.

>So don't whine to me about how good a driver you think you are and try
>18 ways to Sunday to justify why you ignore the laws (and courtesy).  It
>all boils down to selfish acts by spoiled brats who probably weren't
>told "no" very often by their parents.

I didn't whine.  I didn't claim to be a good driver.  I didn't claim
to either speed or not speed.  I simply asked the question "How does
lowering speed limits increase safety?".  Can you answer the question?

>Breaking the law is breaking the law, whether you agree with the law
>or not.  Claiming that the VDOT/VSP lowering the speed limit on a
>section of I-81 won't improve safety or is just a ruse to annoy drivers
>and collect more revenue is a bunch of bull.  If you aren't part of the
>solution, then you are part of the problem.

How will it improve safety?  On the surface, sure, if everyone drove
slower then the roads might be a bit safer.  Realistically though, if
everyone is ignoring speed limits now, what makes you think that if
you lower them people will suddenly follow them?
-- 
Brandon

"You'll never prove a thing, copper.  I'm just a 
 part time electrician.  I..., I..., BAD IS GOOD 
 BABY!  DOWN WITH GOVERNMENT!"
    - The Evil Midnight Bomber That Bombs at Midnight

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