Do you obey the speed limits?
By savak03
@savak03 (6684)
United States
May 25, 2009 2:10pm CST
In my line of work I do a lot of driving. Most of this is done on rural highways that go through small towns and communities. Some of these roads are easy to navigate and some of them go up and down winding mountainous roads. Sometimes I will come upon a town or community before I am aware of it.
All roads have speed limit signs posted on them. They are there for a reason. On mountain roads there will be signs requiring you to slow down, usually because you are approaching a steep grade or a sharp curve, or both.
Some of these small towns that I drive through post a different speed limit every two blocks or so. These towns are known as speed traps. They are designed to catch you speeding so they can give you a ticket and boost their revenue.
Since I drive this route every week I am very aware of the speed limits and how they change and it bugs me when other drivers get right on my bumper as if they are going to force me to go faster. Personally I can't afford the price of a speeding ticket or the accident I would get into if I ignored the posted speed limits.
I was driving on one road that was fairly straight and flat but had a 55 mph speed limit that almost no one bothered to follow. A couple of cops came out of a side road right in front of me with one heading the same direction I was going and the other one turning the opposite way. The one that went behind me turned around and came back getting behind this big pickup that was following me. I was doing the posted 55 but the truck behind me got right up on my bumper and tied to intimidate me to go faster. I don't know if he didn't see the cop on his tail or if he didn't care. Never the less I wasn't going to be forced into speeding.
I had planned to stop at the Hardee's in the next town so when I got there I pulled into the left lane and turned. The pickup truck probably thought I was trying to let the cop get past before I continued so he decided to do the same thing except he went to the right, to a gas station. The cop followed him in and stayed behind him as he went around the building. He and the cop was just pulling out as I left Hardee's so I figure the cop had him stopped for about 15 minutes. I guess the cop noticed how he was crowding me so he gave him a ticket even though he wasn't speeding, maybe for following too close?
5 people like this
27 responses
@cobra1368 (702)
• United States
26 May 09
I do go the speed limit through small towns. I am well aware of the speed traps. However, I was born and raised in large cities. When on the interstates, if you DON'T go at least 10 miles over, you will be run over. I have lived in Dallas/Fort Worth and driven there for quite a few years. Now I live in Atlanta. You are more of a hazard if you go the speed limit here than if you go faster.
I'm not saying that it is right, I'm just stating that it is the reality of the situation.
1 person likes this
@xprincessx (99)
• Malaysia
26 May 09
sometimes i do not to obey the speed limit..maybe this is because i am in a rush of time, or in an emergency..but when i am going for outing with my friends and family i would rather choose to drive slowly..to enjoy the moment to be together..and the happiness we can shared together as well..obeys to the speed limit can help to reduce the unwanted accident..
1 person likes this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
4 Jun 09
Ihad one ticket two weeks after I passed my test - then I stopped speeding.
Here though it's not worth it. We have mobile speed traps as well as the fixed ones. The local police have them in the back of their car and can stop anywhere and set up the traps. The fixed ones take photos of the offending vehicle too. Just so not worth it.
Many years ago I did have one who drove so close that he seemed like he wanted to get into the back seat of my car. The car I had at the time was quite old and a bit battered so I just breaked - and I got the whole rear end repaired on his insurance 
Here you have to keep your distance and if you go into the back of the car in front it is always the fault of the one behind for not driving at the right distance.
We also have lots of those mountain roads you describe and I'm not to fond of driving on them. The locals know all the curves and bends but for those who only go once in a while they are not pleasant at all 
Here you have to keep your distance and if you go into the back of the car in front it is always the fault of the one behind for not driving at the right distance.
We also have lots of those mountain roads you describe and I'm not to fond of driving on them. The locals know all the curves and bends but for those who only go once in a while they are not pleasant at all 
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
4 Jun 09
Oh gosh if you get caught here with no insurance you're in BIG trouble. They take your car and licence away. I have yet to hear of anyone driving uninsured though I guess it happens somewhere.
I guess it doesn't end here and you could even get over to the next one before you know it - we'll see 
(I didn't get the notifier though and that's weird cos I got the next one 
)
(I didn't get the notifier though and that's weird cos I got the next one )@savak03 (6684)
• United States
5 Jun 09
I know, I'm not get the notifiers on this one either. I keep checking back to see if anyone says anything else. Well actually I get the notifier for the first comment each person makes but don't get a notifier if they say something else after I have replied. I'm lost on that score.
1 person likes this
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
4 Jun 09
That tailgating rule is the same over here unless you don't have insurance. Over here every car has to be insured and if you do not have insurance you are automatically ruled to be in the wrong no matter who's fault the accident is. I remember when Florida passed the no fault insurance law which made it so you didn't have to prove it was the other person's fault to get the insurance company to fix your car. That first year there were more accidents than there had ever been. For some reason not having to worry about placing blame seemed to give everyone permission to drive any way they wanted.
When I first moved up here I was extremely careful about driving up mountain roads. I remembered all the tips my husband gave about driving down and up a mountain like not using your brake too much and down shifting the transmission. I'm sure I aggravated a lot of people because I would go so slow. I'm still careful, but now that I have been on those roads many times I am able to make better time. Still, if I have to go on a new road I am cautious and I always keep weather and road conditions in mind.
Would you look at that! You tipped this over to four pages. I should have this one framed. This is without a doubt the best discussion ever.
1 person likes this
@tonytt2009 (1706)
• China
26 May 09
Hi there~I like driving!!Regarding to your question,it highly depends on if there're any surveillance devices in or hiding in the road~if yes,I will definitely obey the speed limits to avoid being penalty;if no,I would say I will drive safety considering the situation down in the road,e.g.if there's a highway and few cars,I will drive up to 130km/h or even faster,but never exceeds 150km/h as I believe that my life is being hanged in a line for this speed~in normal cases,I will drive 120km/h ~~lol
Safety is very important!!
@tonytt2009 (1706)
• China
27 May 09
Ya,according to what you mentioned,I could feel you should be a experienced driver~
Sometimes the speed limits are over caution in my country as well`~the important point is just like you said,depends on the road conditions to drive~~lol`~
Have a nice day~~
P.S.Nice to be shared the real story~~
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
26 May 09
It is important to be aware of why the speed limit is posted as it is. Sometimes I think they are a little over cautious with them. But if you have never driven that particular road before you don't know what the conditions may be so it would be wise to obey the speed limit.
My husband used to tell a story on himself. He drove an 18 wheeler and was hauling a load of strawberries down this mountain. The speed sign said 5 mph and he thought they were being over cautious so he was going 15. As he rounded one curve he found himself on a two lane bridge crossing a deep gorge. Of course he lost control. His tractor went over one side of the bridge and the trailer went over the other. Fortunately he had time to bail out and landed on the bridge with two broken legs. He said the next time he saw a speed limit sign that said 5 mph he believed them.
1 person likes this
@meandmy3 (2227)
• United States
25 May 09
I never understand speed limits, my car could always go faster than that.
Okay that is just one of those things I used to say, I am a safe driver but no I do not always go the speed limit
@faisai (1138)
• Hong Kong
26 May 09
I obey them most of the time as I don't think the little bit amount of time gained worths me risk getting a ticket.
Also, when the car is getting faster and faster, it is getting riskier and riskier. If something happens suddenly, I may not have enough time to respond. I mean, considering all these risks, I really don't see how that little bit gain of time justify it.
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
4 Jun 09
I haven't driven a car for quite some time now, but back home I was occasionally a bit of a speed demon, yes. Thankfully nothing serious ever came of my driving antics, but I've seen some terrible accidents before and it really drives home how important it is to be aware of speed. I did get annoyed with some of the speed trap set-ups back home too. There was one particular stretch of road that was an off ramp from the freeway. The speed limit on the freeway was 110 kilometres and hour and within a short distance of maybe a mile or so, you had to go to 60, then 50 kilometres an hour. Police used to set up speed traps and nail people that didn't slow down quickly enough and they used to get MANY drivers this way. I understand the need to penalize people and to be hard on speeding, but situations like this one were not really fair. 
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
4 Jun 09
I agree, they are not fair, but the communities that put these into play have no consideration for what is fair or even for safety. Although they will deny it to the highest degree these kinds of taps are there to make them money off the fines they levee.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
11 Jun 09
I have a heavy foot but I have slowed down....learned the hard way after getting pulled over a few times. I got warnings but don't want to press my luck. So yes...I do pay attention to the speed limit and yes I do get upset when someone is right up on my butt. At night the glare of their headlights glares in my mirror making it harder to see. It really sketches me when a tractor trailer truck does this because I know that if I had to stop quick, they probably could not. It is illegal to tailgait so yes, that cop may have noticed how close he was following you. 
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
11 Jun 09
I too, have trouble with glaring headlights. It seems to be more of a problem as I get older. I really hate those new lights that look blue.
As far as the ability of an 18 wheeler to stop quickly there is no probably to it. If they are traveling at any speed at all they cannot stop suddenly. Truck drivers that tailgate are either stupid or insane.
@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
25 May 09
Hi savak03,
I always am mindful of the speed limits as I have gotten way to many tickets in my younger does. I have learned my lesson well.
I think some people can be reckless on the roads and I do detest people who tailgate it can be a little intimidating at times.
The police here always have check points and sped traps and I have encountered them numerous times, luckily I have always tried to keep to the speed limit
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
25 May 09
I think most of us go through a period of time when we tend to drive like h on wheels but then we have to grow up. 
The speed limits are posted for a reason. Most of the time it is to protect us, the drivers, or the people in the neighborhood, especially kids. I know where every group of kids that play near the roads, every stretch of bad road and every switchback or steep grade is on the route that I drive so I don't care how late you are you will not force me to go faster than the speed allows. I also know where all the speed traps are.
The speed limits are posted for a reason. Most of the time it is to protect us, the drivers, or the people in the neighborhood, especially kids. I know where every group of kids that play near the roads, every stretch of bad road and every switchback or steep grade is on the route that I drive so I don't care how late you are you will not force me to go faster than the speed allows. I also know where all the speed traps are.@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
25 May 09
Yes I agree when we are younger and start driving we all can tend to be boy or girl racers. As we get older we just get more wise.
I would never speed up for a tailgater ever, they are the worst kind of driver. It is always good to know where the speed traps are
@clorissa123 (4926)
• United States
18 Jun 09
Surely, all of us must obey the speed limit. We all just don't want to get a ticket from those blood - sucking traffic cops. Most of my friends got a ticket lately. Due to fact that they drove too fast on the interstate highway right between the border with other states. The fine usually gone up too high, between $200 to $300. Just follow the speed limit, and don't over speed it.
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
18 Jun 09
For a minute I thought you lived near me. There is one interstate highway here that dips back down into Georgia for a few miles before it goes on up into Tennessee. The speed limit on that highway is 70 mph everywhere except for those few miles in Georgia. There it is 65 mph. Many people leave their money in Georgia as they are passing through because of it.
You, however have your own traffic problems. I have driven through your area many times and unfortunately some of them have been during rush hour traffic. I would not be able to live in an area like that where I had to risk my life every day just to get to work and back home again.
@vignesh002 (30)
• India
26 May 09
You should not always obey the speed limits because when we have to go quick to a place and the road is plain we cannot always abide by the rules.When we see nothing in front of us we cannot stop accelerating and above all we must test the engines too!!
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
26 May 09
Hmmm. I'll have to watch out for you on the road. You should read the response just above yours. One day something will happen and you will lose control. I hope you are not hurt to bad or anyone else. There is a place for testing engines. It's called a race track.
1 person likes this
@inkstainedheart (455)
• United States
26 May 09
Yeah, if a car is following too closely, they can get a ticket for reckless driving. I try not to speed more than 8 or 9 miles higher than the limit while in my state. While traveling, especially through Virginia, I might go five over. Virginia is well-known for speed traps and giving tickets to out-of-state travelers.
@kelpie (190)
• United States
29 May 09
When I lived in Kansas, and I drove, I had a beat up Dodge Spirit 1989. It was scary enough going 60mph in that thing. The struts on it were very bouncy and needed to be replaced. Basically, this car was an accident WAITING to happen. And happened it did, twice. I usually, if I ever do, go only 5mph over the speed limit. Otherwise I stay in my lane and stay on the speed limit.
Following too close is an accident waiting to happen. It's considered illegal too. I would imagine the cop would do so. But here in Colorado, the cops like to pull you over, especially if you appear to be going fast, because you have a fast car. They'll pull you over for going 10mph over the speedlimit in a "fast" looking car, but they'll let people with beat up cars push 20mph over the speedlimit. It's crazy and insane. And they don't care if you are behind someone too close either.
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
29 May 09
I definitely think the cops are prejudiced. I used to own a full size van that was painted in such a way that it looked kinda like a hippie van. Any time my son or daughter drove it they got pulled over even if they weren't doing anything wrong. When I drove it I could break all the speed laws I wanted and the cops wouldn't even bat an eye.
@embventures (34)
• South Korea
18 Jun 09
it is to your advantage if you follow implemented speed limits when you are hitting the road, it creates smooth traffic flow and avoid accidents that could kill you on the spot...these are one of the many rules and we are bound to follow
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
18 Jun 09
I have no idea what traffic is like in other countries. I have never been out of my own. But I have traveled extensively in this county. You are correct that it is to our advantage to obey the speed laws to protect us from accidents as well as tickets.
Welcome to mylot. I hope you enjoy the discussions and people here.
@lucius67 (41)
• United States
26 May 09
From 1980 to 2001 I was a professional driver, trucks, buses, motorcoaches, and in the beginning I had trouble pulling my foot up off the pedal, but when CDL license came to be and I found out I could lose my livelihood I learned I couln't get there any faster if I got pulled over for a ticket, so I actually drive local street 2 to 5 miles under the limit and sometimes I find myself going 5 miles under the limit on the freeway.
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
26 May 09
That was very wise of you to determine that following the rules would get you there just as fast. I have often took note of a driver that was always changing lanes and speeding up, like he couldn't stand not being the leader of the pack. But when we got to the end of the rode he hadn't arrived any quicker than those of us who stayed in our lane and kept a constant safe speed.
@sudhajosyula50 (3808)
• India
26 May 09
Hi friend,
I obey the speed limits because if i caught by a cop i have to pay money.Because of that i will obey the speed limit.Till now i haven't crossed the limits and also it is good to always follow the speed limits.It is for our good that the Govt kept the rules,but why some people doesn't obey the rules even though it is good to follow i really can't understand.It is always good to follow the rules and regulations given by transport authorities for one self.
Have a nice day
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
26 May 09
Yes there usually is a reason for the posted speed limits. Whether it is because of children in the neighborhood or bad road conditions we do well to obey. Speeding tickets can be costly and I don't think anyone needs to throw their money away needlessly.
@harshrosicky (626)
• India
26 May 09
I do follow the road rules....wear your seat-belt...drive in you lane but the road speed limits are pretty low and whoever hard i try i can't follow them.....open flat expressway and the speed limit is 80 ks. How the heck the government thinks one can follow that....WE should be cautious...but being over-cautious can also harm. There is always a way of driving. Some people feel comfortable when driving fast and some when thay drive slow.. I feel comfortable when the car is moving....therefore i always get scolded by my dad when he sits with me. He doesn't lets me to drive fast and i am not able to drive properly when slow.....But we should alwas follow the safety rules as they are our benefit only
@aikhong (661)
• Malaysia
26 May 09
Ya, i'm always a safe driver. I always follow the road sign and speed limit and i never speed. Maybe i'm just too afraid of getting into acidents or given a ticket by the cops. Touch wood! haha. However, there're many places in my country where people do not follow the speed limit and still driving fast, and there's no any cops to watch or catch these people. Laws should be enforced, and our policemen really need to be more hardworking. :)
@tbrown1227 (221)
• United States
26 May 09
i agree with all for me if i'm in town i do the speed limit always, i'm always looking out for kids or other people walking, but your right do see alot of people who just go speeding down the streets.
if i'm on the highway i don't usually follow the speed limit signs, if the speed is 65 i go between 70 & 75 if speed limit is 70 i'll go 78.
@conker_1000 (13)
• India
26 May 09
Because I live in Australia and am a P plater we have very strict laws for us here. Nether the less i don't usually follow the speed limits for these reasons, 1. the police will pull me over anyway because I'm a P plater, 2. I live in the country so there's long straight roads here, and 3. the roads say 100km/h as the limit, but are built so that emergency vehicles can go at speed of 150km/h or more, so my car will be able to handle the high speeds i drive. That being said i know it is dangerous and fairly stupid of me to travel at those speeds.
