share.triangle.com - Need for speed - Comments

Using only the 85th

JohnL — Sun, 20 May 2007 09:09:20 -0400

Using only the 85th percentile for setting speed limits is akin to mob rule. Roads are designed for a particular speed in bad conditions; that may make the road safe to drive at a higher speed in good weather/daylight, but that also doesn't take into account the condition of the vehicle or driver, level of congestion or the density of properties along the road.

The 85th percentile should be one of a series of criteria used to set speed limits, not the only one.

All the speeding apologists believe they are above average drivers, and therefore entitled to speed. Except, as the first article in the N&O's series mentioned, speeding affects a driver three ways. It reduces your perception/reaction time, it increases your stopping distance, and crashes at high speeds are much more severe.

Plus, there is no metal guardrail on any NC road that has been tested to successfully do its job over 60mph. IOW, if you hit guardrail at 75mph, don't expect it to protect you from whatever's behind it. The end treatments aren't tested for over 60mph either, and some on lower speed roads (non interstates) are rated for no higher than 50mph. Hit one of those at over 60mph speeds and no one will say they will keep you from being impaled on the guardrail.

Most speed limits on rural interstates have already been raised to their design limit, yet people are still exceeding the SL by high values. It would be nice if the courts would start enforcing the laws on the books, and punish the very high speed violators (15mph+ over the SL) instead of just taking their money.

zero tolerance???

plusaf — Thu, 17 May 2007 23:55:09 -0400

ah, i misread.... SET A ZERO-TOLERANCE speed limit AND ENFORCE it.....

but what is the zero-tolerance level? if you don't offer a number, what is the value of your suggestion. cough it up.... what's the number? whom do you trust to set that number?

and you say "slow down and drive the speed limit." so, again, how to set the speed limit? do you "believe in" the "85% setting"? if you do, then the absolute maximum speed before.... before we do WHAT?....

only concrete suggestions are admitted here, sorry.... let me offer a few:

monitor speeds and set the posted limit at the speed 85% of the drivers go.
set a "no bargaining speed limit maybe 20% higher than the posted limit. no judge or legal aid can get you off from the points or fine.
create a "three strikes law": three convictions under the rules of the second bullet above and you lose your license for, say, six months.
violate the three-strikes law by driving without a license and you spend time in jail where we can be sure you won't be driving!
and maybe a three-strikes law for DUI, too?

i think those are pretty concrete suggestions, Ken. what do you think? care to see them go into effect?

plusaf
Northwest Raleigh
27613

Need for speed

kennethstephens — Wed, 16 May 2007 17:03:35 -0400

When the elected officials refuse to uphold current traffic laws then those officials need to be accountable at the poll. Just about everyone is upset at the number of our troops being killed in the war against terrorism but how many folks are showing the same outrage concerning the loved ones killed on the roads daily across the land of ours?

More men were killed in single battles during World War 2 than have been killed in the wars in Afganistan and Iraq combined.

We all need to slow down and drive the speed limit. Set a ZERO tolerance speed limit and enforce it. Set the fines higher, court costs higher and stop people from going to court when they know they are guilty.

When the elected officials refuse to uphold current traffic laws then those officials need to be accountable at the poll. Just about everyone is upset…