How to Drive?

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posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,772
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#1
  • you commute down a busy interstate with a posted 55mph maximum speed limit. traffic is dense, almost bumper-to-bumper, and the average speed of the vehicles you share the road with is over 70mph, with the slow lanes moving steadily around 65mph and the fast lane near 80mph and some vehicles moving closer to 90mph as soon as they can.
    • what should you do?

  • you are driving down the same interstate in winter, and cold snap has turned the entire road surface into a dangerous mix of slush and solid ice. the lanes are not visible. there is a posted minimum speed of 40mph, and although not as crowded, most traffic is creeping under 25mph.
    • what should you do?
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,401
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#2
  • you commute down a busy interstate with a posted 55mph maximum speed limit. traffic is dense, almost bumper-to-bumper, and the average speed of the vehicles you share the road with is over 70mph, with the slow lanes moving steadily around 65mph and the fast lane near 80mph and some vehicles moving closer to 90mph as soon as they can.
    • what should you do?

  • you are driving down the same interstate in winter, and cold snap has turned the entire road surface into a dangerous mix of slush and solid ice. the lanes are not visible. there is a posted minimum speed of 40mph, and although not as crowded, most traffic is creeping under 25mph.
    • what should you do?
Take the bus ;) HAHHAHAHHA me, hmmmmm in winter and on ice and snow best to drive slower than 40 as road conditions obviously allow for variation on the slow end.......

However.....at the top end to drive 55 would result in a high probability of being rear ended and causing a pile up, injuries, possibly death.....

Me, I would clip along with traffic.........
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,742
3,670
113
#3
  • you commute down a busy interstate with a posted 55mph maximum speed limit. traffic is dense, almost bumper-to-bumper, and the average speed of the vehicles you share the road with is over 70mph, with the slow lanes moving steadily around 65mph and the fast lane near 80mph and some vehicles moving closer to 90mph as soon as they can.
    • what should you do?
Something is askew with this picture.
How is it that the interstate is 'bumper-to-bumper' yet some are going at speeds at excess of 85?
I guess we have a different definition of 'bumper-to-bumper' LOL.
In So. Ca, bumper-to-bumper means 5-20mph.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,772
13,531
113
#4
Something is askew with this picture.
How is it that the interstate is 'bumper-to-bumper' yet some are going at speeds at excess of 85?
I guess we have a different definition of 'bumper-to-bumper' LOL.
In So. Ca, bumper-to-bumper means 5-20mph.
3 or more lanes, and.. am guessing you've never been to Atlanta?

**shudder**
 

Mii

Well-known member
Mar 23, 2019
2,082
1,329
113
#5
I live in ATL...

If the purpose of this thread is to obey posted speed limits as the law of the land then I would say that speed limits are designed with safety in mind.

You risk an accident going the legal minimum in Ga of 40MPH, not necessarily yourself (besides being rear ended) but dangerous lane changes from others as a result of your behavior.

I've actually seen people do some pretty stupid stuff when I go the speed limit...like cross the median in an extremely dangerous place where it is unsafe to do so. If they were to wreck I would blame that partially on myself. There's no reason I can't speed up 8ish MPH as a courtesy. Or speed up 5mph and pull off without slowing until I have and then re-enter behind them.

It so happened once during the snow that this occurred. Guy blew past me (I was doing 25 on a backroad in a manual) and I see him a few miles down the road in a ditch. That particular instance I couldn't speed up safely (for myself) any more than I was doing realistically so I wouldn't consider myself at fault.

During the day with dry roads? Yeah no reason not to.



I think it's amazing tbh that there is simultaneously speeding laws in GA (max posted speed is 70MPH) and at the same time a slowpoke law.

My brother in law got a ticket for doing the speed limit in the "fast lane" (which doesn't exist). He wasn't impeding traffic either if I remember correctly.

Theoretically one can get a slowpoke ticket for passing someone at 65mph in the passing lane because they are doing 55mph but another string of drivers is behind you doing 72mph (7 over but not typically the ticket margin for law enforcement).


Then you have the CDL crowd that considers it a sign of a bad/unsafe driver to EVER be in excess of 5 MPH.


Cool topic...I drive with a GPS monitoring system presently and I can't do more than 3MPH over or I lose points. It also takes off points for accelerating too quickly (even to save your life) or braking too quickly (same thing). It also takes off points for "cornering" which is when you take a turn fast enough that you would see the water level in a cup move in any direction.

^Super legalistic...but it has it's strengths in some respects.
 

Lightskin

Well-known member
Aug 16, 2019
3,165
3,665
113
#7
  • you commute down a busy interstate with a posted 55mph maximum speed limit. traffic is dense, almost bumper-to-bumper, and the average speed of the vehicles you share the road with is over 70mph, with the slow lanes moving steadily around 65mph and the fast lane near 80mph and some vehicles moving closer to 90mph as soon as they can.
    • what should you do?

  • you are driving down the same interstate in winter, and cold snap has turned the entire road surface into a dangerous mix of slush and solid ice. the lanes are not visible. there is a posted minimum speed of 40mph, and although not as crowded, most traffic is creeping under 25mph.
    • what should you do?
Posted speed limits, whether maximum or minimum, are predicated on the conditions permitting safe driving. You can actually be ticketed for doing the posted speed limit if conditions are not permitting. I’m used to scenario A, and I roll with the 70mph crowd. Scenario B? I ain’t driving.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,668
6,857
113
#8
While in the Army, and having to clean up the carnage left after accidents where the direct cause was speeding, and believing what God/Christ said when He said to "obey the Laws of Caesar for the Glory of God," I obey the posted Speed Limits.

If folks don't like it, they can pass, OR, we can pull over and discuss it...….makes no never mind to me either way.

Christians who habitually speed when driving are habitual Lawbreakers...…..not too many other ways to describe it. I do enjoy the various excuses they come up with for doing so though.

Preacher Jon driving down the street in his Town on a 45 MPH Speed Limit area. Preacher Jon's in a bit of a hurry and is driving 55. Driver behind him turns to his wife and says: "Ain't that Preacher Jon? I thought he was suppose to be some wonderful Christian, and he's driving like a crazy man."

Preacher Jon, on same street driving 45 MPH. Driver behind him turns to his wife and says: "Ain't that Preacher Jon? He's driving like an idiot, don't he know EVERYONE drives 55 or more on this street?" His wife responds: "He's a Christian you know. He's obeying the Law."

Doesn't matter what question a person asks, or what scenario they come up with to try and justify Christians breaking the Laws of Caesar or the Laws of God, they are wrong, and may well end up dead wrong.

The whole world is watching professed Christians just begging them to slip up and do something that is wrong......in this way, the world can justify their unbelief and sinful life styles.

I obey the Laws of Caesar, and the Commandments of Christ that He gave us while here on earth during His Ministry. But, now, that's probably just me.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,772
13,531
113
#9
Cool topic...I drive with a GPS monitoring system presently and I can't do more than 3MPH over or I lose points. It also takes off points for accelerating too quickly (even to save your life) or braking too quickly (same thing). It also takes off points for "cornering" which is when you take a turn fast enough that you would see the water level in a cup move in any direction.

^Super legalistic...but it has it's strengths in some respects.
is that one of those insurance things you plug into the car?

i used to drive a company van with one. it would beep really loud for every violation, and my regional manager would get emails about every beep. i was always very cautious in that van, often angering other drivers around me - and proud to have never made it beep at me in almost a whole month since the van had been assigned to me. one morning i stopped for a deer & her family, which i saw from a long way off and slowed down very gradually for. the family had a few more deer than i thought and when i got near, only going about 20mph, another jumped out of some thickets, and i came to a complete stop. BEEEEP!!
and i got a call about it later at work. it seemed very wrong to me that the blindly legalistic insurance algorithm would apparently rather have me hit the deer than the brakes. i seriously didn't think i had hit the brakes hard.


i do agree, tho, those things have their use, for making you think a lot more about how you're handling the car.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,417
6,699
113
#10
There are two traffic regulations from my past that were always helpflu. The prima facie telling me to go dthe speed of the traffic flow……..even if it iseems stoo fast or too slow. The basic speed law which is similar but does have nuances of difference, to travel at the speed dictated by conditions. Today most peopl e ignor the conditions and tromp on through pooling waters in heavy rains and more.

I am almost happy I have not been able to dirve for close to thirty
years, but I certainly did enjoy it when I did.
.
May all who do enjoy driving and are always attempting to be safe be blessed with safety and care from our Father...
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
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#11
You know.......Jesus basically said.....

I sent JOHN, he was straight laced, did not drink, eat like a glutton, towed the line and was as Christian as they come
I came eating and drinking, you called me a wine bibber, gluttonous and a friend of sinners and whores
NO matter what I did, you would not dance (believe and embrace the truth)

Who cares what the world thinks!!!!! The power is in the message, NOT the messenger and NO ONE on this site OBEYS all the rules of the "Caesar" and or GOD..............!!!!!!!
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,401
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#12
Something is askew with this picture.
How is it that the interstate is 'bumper-to-bumper' yet some are going at speeds at excess of 85?
I guess we have a different definition of 'bumper-to-bumper' LOL.
In So. Ca, bumper-to-bumper means 5-20mph.
I drove from SF to San Diego on vacation a few years back.....spent almost a month touring Cali.......the worst ever.....traffic in L.A........wow......the first and last time I drive there...........
 
L

Locoponydirtman

Guest
#13
  • you commute down a busy interstate with a posted 55mph maximum speed limit. traffic is dense, almost bumper-to-bumper, and the average speed of the vehicles you share the road with is over 70mph, with the slow lanes moving steadily around 65mph and the fast lane near 80mph and some vehicles moving closer to 90mph as soon as they can.
    • what should you do?

  • you are driving down the same interstate in winter, and cold snap has turned the entire road surface into a dangerous mix of slush and solid ice. the lanes are not visible. there is a posted minimum speed of 40mph, and although not as crowded, most traffic is creeping under 25mph.
    • what should you do?
Your first scenario had me thinking you live near Houston, Texas. None the less
You pick a lane according to how far you are going and settle in with the flow of traffic.
 

Hazelelponi

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2019
609
397
63
USA
#14
While in the Army, and having to clean up the carnage left after accidents where the direct cause was speeding, and believing what God/Christ said when He said to "obey the Laws of Caesar for the Glory of God," I obey the posted Speed Limits.

If folks don't like it, they can pass, OR, we can pull over and discuss it...….makes no never mind to me either way.

Christians who habitually speed when driving are habitual Lawbreakers...…..not too many other ways to describe it. I do enjoy the various excuses they come up with for doing so though.

Preacher Jon driving down the street in his Town on a 45 MPH Speed Limit area. Preacher Jon's in a bit of a hurry and is driving 55. Driver behind him turns to his wife and says: "Ain't that Preacher Jon? I thought he was suppose to be some wonderful Christian, and he's driving like a crazy man."

Preacher Jon, on same street driving 45 MPH. Driver behind him turns to his wife and says: "Ain't that Preacher Jon? He's driving like an idiot, don't he know EVERYONE drives 55 or more on this street?" His wife responds: "He's a Christian you know. He's obeying the Law."

Doesn't matter what question a person asks, or what scenario they come up with to try and justify Christians breaking the Laws of Caesar or the Laws of God, they are wrong, and may well end up dead wrong.

The whole world is watching professed Christians just begging them to slip up and do something that is wrong......in this way, the world can justify their unbelief and sinful life styles.

I obey the Laws of Caesar, and the Commandments of Christ that He gave us while here on earth during His Ministry. But, now, that's probably just me.
We don't live in a city, the town we go to shop in has a population of under 1,000..

My husband always does the speed limit, but if weather is bad he does whatever is safe for driving, no matter how slow that is.

The mountains here can be treacherous in winter, often lacking even guard rails, so going 15 can sometimes be appropriate, but there are no posted minimum speeds here, although I can't imagine going 40mph when it's unsafe to do so.
 
Jun 10, 2019
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#16
In 1973, in response to the OPEC oil embargo, President Nixon issued an executive order mandating a 55 mph national maximum speed limit.
 
Jun 10, 2019
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#17
I guess sitting in a car in traffic isn’t really that bad considering how others get around.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,772
13,531
113
#18
In 1973, in response to the OPEC oil embargo, President Nixon issued an executive order mandating a 55 mph national maximum speed limit.
if i'm recalling correctly, and informed correctly, the 55mph number wasn't chosen for safety reasons, but for trying to maximize fuel efficiency, because of the embargo. the actual highway curves and road surfaces are navigable at much higher speeds, but the faster you go the more gas it uses, because air resistance is proportional to the square and/or cube of speed, and isn't a very big factor in the mpg equation until you get over 50mph or so, with most vehicle profiles.
my car, which is much more aerodynamic than the average car built in the 70's, gets about 32mpg cruising at ~50mph, about 27 cruising at 70mph, and only about 18-21 cruising at 80.
 
Jun 10, 2019
4,304
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#19
if i'm recalling correctly, and informed correctly, the 55mph number wasn't chosen for safety reasons, but for trying to maximize fuel efficiency, because of the embargo. the actual highway curves and road surfaces are navigable at much higher speeds, but the faster you go the more gas it uses, because air resistance is proportional to the square and/or cube of speed, and isn't a very big factor in the mpg equation until you get over 50mph or so, with most vehicle profiles.
my car, which is much more aerodynamic than the average car built in the 70's, gets about 32mpg cruising at ~50mph, about 27 cruising at 70mph, and only about 18-21 cruising at 80.
I think ford made it official in 75, I didn’t know that only 1.2 percent of roads in the U.S. are highway roads and only 20 to 25 percent of all traffic volume is on highways

Cars back in the day where like rolling tanks I can see 55 in those days, now there’s air bags more car safety It could probably be raised some, though there will always be those speed traps, 55 then 45 then back up to 55 they know what there doing lol.

I’ve often wonder why a cars reported gas mileage is higher on the highway than the city maybe the stop’s and go’s burn more over a longer period than driving at a steady speed
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,772
13,531
113
#20
I’ve often wonder why a cars reported gas mileage is higher on the highway than the city maybe the stop’s and go’s burn more over a longer period than driving at a steady speed
stop and go really kills efficiency.
it takes a lot more energy to accelerate something than it does to just maintain its speed against wind & tire resistance. there's a huge difference in mileage driving through a city compared to just setting the cruise control and burning up a whole tank, and also a bigger wear on all the engine, for a variety of physical processes that go on in there while you're decelerating / accelerating / decelerating / accelerating / decelerating / accelerating etc etc

hwy miles are just much less mechanically stressful on a vehicle in general.