Re: On Topic? Cars, anyway: 55 MPH speed limit...

On 2008-07-24, Leftie <No@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Brent P wrote:
>> On 2008-07-24, Leftie <No@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>>> Brent P wrote:
>>>> On 2008-07-24, Leftie <No@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>     I've always sup****ted 55, as long as you can go 60 and be left 
>>>>> alone. 
>>>> So long as the cops don't bother those driving at your chosen speed.
How
>>>> absurd a standard. 
>> 
>>>     The standard is perfectly reasonable, and long-standing. It's to 
>>> account for both speedometer error and people momentarily drifting
above 
>>> the limit. I use cruise control and know my speedometer error, so I
can 
>>> set it for 60 and know I'll be going 58. You're the one being absurd.
>> 
>> Upper bound speed limits are not to be set because of what somebody
feels
>> is 'right'. Neither should having a armed government employee stop you
>> on the side of road under the threat of violence be determined by his
>> personal speed tolerances. 
>> 
>> Google 85th percentile method to see how speed limits should be set. 
>> 
>>>>> I do 58-60 in the center lane on my commute (lots of off-ramps in 
>>>>> the right lane) and idiots keep passing me on *both* sides.
Americans 
>>>>> are stupid.
>> 
>>>> That may be true generally but in this case you're driving in the
wrong
>>>> lane. Keep right except to pass. If you can't deal with the merge
>>>> impaired go fast enough so you aren't being passed on the right. 
>>  
>>>     This is how we got into the current situation: being told to crowd

>>> into the right-hand lane to make more room for speeders.
>> 
>> *sigh*  A sign with an absurdly low number on it is not a license to
>> drive poorly. 
>> 
>>> On a 3 lane 
>>> highway with off-ramps on the right, the right lane should be for
those 
>>> going below the limit, including those exiting or entering from ramps.

>> 
>> WRONG. It's supposed to be the normal cruising lane. It was before the
>> NMSL idiotcy of 55mph and still is. 
>> 
>>> The center lane should be for cruising at the limit or so, 
>> 
>> WRONG. It's for passing people in the right lane. 
>> 
>>> and the left lane for passing and emergency vehicles.
>> 
>> Somewhat WRONG. It's for passing people in the middle lane. 
>> 
>>>  This allows for the optimum 
>>> flow of traffic and for maximum safety. 
>> 
>> No it does not. Optimum flow and maximum safety is achieved by a strict
>> keep right except to pass discipline. This is why the autobahn is safer
>> than the US interstate and much better to drive. 
>> 
>>> But that's just too sensible for  this dumbass country...
>> 
>> Actually most of those dumb***** are driving just like you, except they
>> have a different idea of where the speed cut offs for each lane are.
>> That's why your idea is pure bunk. 
>> 
>> Keep right except to pass is pure simplicity. It works like fluid flow
>> in a pipe. It makes for an engineered system. Your idea is a complex
>> social interaction that cannot scale. That's why it breaks down so
>> quickly with increased traffic volumes. Too many people with different
>> social ideas of what speed each lane should be. 
>> 
>
>     This and your other post make it pretty clear that you are the 
> highway equivalent of a Gun Nut.

Heaven forbid I would like to see people drive properly. 

> You don't care that the 55 limit saves  both fuel and lives,

It does neither. In 1974 when the NMSL was put in, the method of
counting fatalities changed. All but the usual year over year drop was
due to the change in method.  When it was removed in 1995 states that
raised their speed limits saw a larger drop than those that did not. 

> and you think that the roads exist to allow people 
> to drive fast, with those following rational speed limits expected to 
> just get out of your way.

No, you're an ignorant control freak who thinks that everyone else
should be forced to drive his speed by the threat of violence from the
government. (everything the government does is ultimately backed by
violent acts, such as imprisonment) 

>     Google "plonk."

Another closed minded fool causing congestion. Good riddence.