Ned said:
And that's a sad commentary on us as a society. I did and do obey the speed limits (and other laws) and treat them as maximums, not mandatory, as some people seem to think.
Exactly, they're maximums. I drive 55, and I'm glad the speed limit is faster than that, as it prevents me from having to change lanes. When I get to areas where the limit is 55, I end up having to pass people which is a nuisance. I like to set the cruise, and when others cut in front of me my following distance quickly reappears.
In Texas on 130 around Austin, the speed limit is 85. I drive 55 and have never had a problem. Think about it this way, you're going 35 mph and there's a stopped vehicle in your path, there's another lane in which you could switch to in order to miss the stopped vehicle, are you going to switch lanes or hit the vehicle? I believe we can all agree that if you're coming up on a vehicle at 35 mph and you can't avoid hitting that vehicle, you shouldn't be driving anyway. I suggest to most of these people that they put down there cell phone and concentrate on their driving if hitting other vehicles are a problem for them.
For years on country roads we have farmers running tractors on two lane roads, alert drivers slow down, and safely pass them. Even in east Texas where speed limits are 70 mph, tractors that can't be going much more than 10 mph run those highways everyday without incident. If someone does run into them, they were either texting, or drunk. Alert drivers don't drive into things.
In 1976 I was at a stop light, (it was red) and a drunk ran into the back of me. Other than that, driving 55 almost my entire life, on the highways I've not had a single accident. It makes for a calm peaceful drive. I can drive 55!