A Little 55 MPH Speed Limit History Lesson
- Thread starter Dibbons
- Start date
I realize the 55 speed limit was for the fuel question.
But blanket speed limits don't take traffic density or poor driving skills into consideration.
The Volvo Syndrome.
Between the time I left my tool box and got to my car last night there was an accident closing 3 lanes on my normal interstate.
I took an alternate interstate.
There was a wreck there too in my exit lane to a third freeway with cars blocking it.
I was stuck with oncoming traffic on my left going too fast to move around the wrecked cars for some time.
The speed limit isn't going to be enforced anyway.
So, what's the point?
They keep trying to make cars idiot proof.
It's not working.
But blanket speed limits don't take traffic density or poor driving skills into consideration.
The Volvo Syndrome.
Between the time I left my tool box and got to my car last night there was an accident closing 3 lanes on my normal interstate.
I took an alternate interstate.
There was a wreck there too in my exit lane to a third freeway with cars blocking it.
I was stuck with oncoming traffic on my left going too fast to move around the wrecked cars for some time.
The speed limit isn't going to be enforced anyway.
So, what's the point?
They keep trying to make cars idiot proof.
It's not working.
- Local time
- 6:50 AM
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2011
- Messages
- 9,164
- Reaction score
- 4,319
- Location
- Western Colorado High Desert
What is the limit in NY state? Was 55 forever.
- Local time
- 6:50 AM
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2011
- Messages
- 9,164
- Reaction score
- 4,319
- Location
- Western Colorado High Desert
I-15 between L.V. and L.A. it is 70 and 55. Traffic is real heavy even on weekdays. Forcing traffic to travel 15 mph apart makes it even worse.
For any vehicle with more than 2 axles or with a trailer the limit is 55 mph. That is the main reason I no longer take a trailer full of parts to the Fling.
55 mph will bore me to sleep.
For any vehicle with more than 2 axles or with a trailer the limit is 55 mph. That is the main reason I no longer take a trailer full of parts to the Fling.
55 mph will bore me to sleep.
33 IMP
Well-Known Member
- Local time
- 5:50 AM
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2017
- Messages
- 14,000
- Reaction score
- 23,650
- Location
- taxifornia,soon 2b Arizona.
And also the "giant infotainment systems" on the dash (if i was king of the world, those would be BANNED") digital maps for the lost and stupid, and stereos that need a electronic engineering degree and five minutes of looking at the dash to adjust.
I prefer no tv on my dash, a volume knob on my radio, and a paper map.
Yes, im old and set in my ways, thanks.
- Local time
- 6:50 AM
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2011
- Messages
- 9,164
- Reaction score
- 4,319
- Location
- Western Colorado High Desert
Ya distracted drivers are the big problem today so what the manufactures do? Install big *** screens on the dash. What could go wrong there? Just another reason why I would go spend a butt load of cash on a new truck.
- Local time
- 5:50 AM
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2012
- Messages
- 39,391
- Reaction score
- 140,684
- Location
- Granite Bay CA
How many people have you seen that actually obey that 55 limit? I have seen very few!
- Local time
- 6:50 AM
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2011
- Messages
- 9,164
- Reaction score
- 4,319
- Location
- Western Colorado High Desert
Ya people zip along pretty good but the truckers really clog things up. A lot different in the states where the truckers can run free with the rest of traffic.
- Local time
- 6:50 AM
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2011
- Messages
- 9,164
- Reaction score
- 4,319
- Location
- Western Colorado High Desert
Also out of the 50,000 cars on I-15 I'd be the ONE that gets pulled over for doing 70 with a trailer. 
33 IMP
Well-Known Member
- Local time
- 5:50 AM
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2017
- Messages
- 14,000
- Reaction score
- 23,650
- Location
- taxifornia,soon 2b Arizona.
Just gotta pull it back a little.Also out of the 50,000 cars on I-15 I'd be the ONE that gets pulled over for doing 70 with a trailer.
I do a lot of trips,on hwy 40 between Az and Ca. Two lane, each way. The great majority of the semi's are cruise controlled at 63-64 mph on the 55 limit, and i have never seen one pulled over.
I tend to run where my two diesels are comfy, my pickup 70-73, the box truck at around 68, even though it is legal to 70. I also adjust my travel times to avoid as much traffic as possible, depending on which direction I'm going.
Now, Arizona is a different animal. 75 mph limit for everybody, and the semi's are all pushing 85.
451Mopar
Well-Known Member
Around 1985 my Physics teacher was part of doing a study in favor of the 75 MPH Speed Limit.
By the mid 1980' most newer cars had EFI and Overdrive, so many cars were just as efficient at the higher speeds, and (I think) the data was showing there was not much difference in accidents. Less people falling asleep while driving 55 MPH
By the mid 1980' most newer cars had EFI and Overdrive, so many cars were just as efficient at the higher speeds, and (I think) the data was showing there was not much difference in accidents. Less people falling asleep while driving 55 MPH
- Local time
- 5:50 AM
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2011
- Messages
- 77,192
- Reaction score
- 122,352
- Location
- NorCal Sierras
- Local time
- 6:50 AM
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2011
- Messages
- 9,164
- Reaction score
- 4,319
- Location
- Western Colorado High Desert
Utah where the speed limit is 80 everyone including the big boys are running 80-90mph.
- Local time
- 5:50 AM
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2011
- Messages
- 77,192
- Reaction score
- 122,352
- Location
- NorCal Sierras
nothing about the 55 mph speed limits back then
helped any of the causes, saving lives or fuel economy
your just as dead in 'a head on at 55 or 65'
or possibly a rollover too
probably more likely to get killed by a semi doing the speed limit
(or 10+ over) that can't stop in time, because people cutting them off
especially in the valley or bay area
the mandatory seatbelts & even headrests
did far more to save lives, then the 55 mph deal
I view the speed limit signs as a suggestion
I drive with the flow of the traffic
for the past 14+ years
I live where it's 75-100+ miles
to the nearest freeway
you drive the speed limit you will be overrun/tailgated constantly
down in the Bay or the Valleys
we have a big lumber mill industry or used to anyway
logging trucks were really fast on the road,
lots of crashes too
they don't/aren't 'allowed to log much now,
our last 2 govn.'s & eco-nazis put a stop to that'
partially why we have so many forest fires
'lack of forest floor management'
powers to be are too stupid to know better,
or in the pocket of lobbyists
Up here;
most our roads are posted 40-45 mph, the highways are 55-65 mph
not a lot of straight hwy
depending on where, some even 55 is really pushing it
especially for the no driven' Ivans/Irenes from the valley
or Bay Area tourists, with their heads up their collective asses
helped any of the causes, saving lives or fuel economy
your just as dead in 'a head on at 55 or 65'
or possibly a rollover too
probably more likely to get killed by a semi doing the speed limit
(or 10+ over) that can't stop in time, because people cutting them off
especially in the valley or bay area
the mandatory seatbelts & even headrests
did far more to save lives, then the 55 mph deal
I view the speed limit signs as a suggestion
I drive with the flow of the traffic
for the past 14+ years
I live where it's 75-100+ miles
to the nearest freeway
you drive the speed limit you will be overrun/tailgated constantly
down in the Bay or the Valleys
we have a big lumber mill industry or used to anyway
logging trucks were really fast on the road,
lots of crashes too
they don't/aren't 'allowed to log much now,
our last 2 govn.'s & eco-nazis put a stop to that'
partially why we have so many forest fires
'lack of forest floor management'
powers to be are too stupid to know better,
or in the pocket of lobbyists
Up here;
most our roads are posted 40-45 mph, the highways are 55-65 mph
not a lot of straight hwy
depending on where, some even 55 is really pushing it
especially for the no driven' Ivans/Irenes from the valley
or Bay Area tourists, with their heads up their collective asses
Last edited:
