View Full Version : No Respect for Speed Limits
Chuck 03-10-2009, 07:04 AM http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg Getting stopped for speeding didn’t seem to have an effect on whether or not a person speeds again. (http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/no-respect-for-speed-limits/)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/speedticket.jpg – New York Times - Nov 10, 2008
It's an inconvience to most -- Ed.
When it comes to speeding, many American motorists don’t worry about safety. They just worry about getting caught.
Those are the findings by researchers from Purdue University who surveyed nearly 1,000 motorists about speed limits and driving habits. They found that many drivers are cynical about the safety benefits of driving within speed limits, and many think they can drive safely while speeding as long as they won’t get caught, according to the report in Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VN8-4TMHKYT-1&_user=10&_coverDate=10%2F08%2F2008&_alid=821807575&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_cdi=6172&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_ct=1&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=8f69cf94cd4351858f9396e739c37639).
“So the faster you think you can go before getting a ticket, the more likely you are to think safety’s not compromised at higher speeds,” said Fred Mannering, a professor of civil engineering at Purdue, in a press release. “For whatever reason, respect for speed limits seems to have deteriorated.” ...http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/no-respect-for-speed-limits/
Blackbelt 03-10-2009, 07:20 AM People who speed simply consider a ticket as the tax they pay for speeding. They reconcile in their mind that a few times a year they may have to cough up 1-200 bucks so that they can speed. This problem is aggravated by a system that focuses on the money aspect. Very few drivers who take their tickets to traffic court are assessed any 'points'. It's all about the Benjamins. Start smacking them with points and lifting their licenses and they may start to pay attention.
mdensch@charter.net 03-10-2009, 07:38 AM And the insurance industry should levy steep surcharges on premiums for ticketed drivers -- justifiable given the increased risk these drivers represent.
kngkeith 03-10-2009, 08:26 AM Too bad the research paper isn't available for free. As it is, I would be one of the 79% that say my safety isn't compromised at 10 mph over. In some situations, 5 mph over is unsafe for me. But on the interstate- well WI's speed limit is 65 mph, Nebraska is 75 mph for the same conditions, and I don't feel endangered doing 75 mph. So speed limits is usually a matter of compliance, sometimes safety.
Keith
Chuck 03-10-2009, 08:33 AM If the pack that drives 75 are the members here, I would not feel unsafe, but we know that's not real world....they are not focused when they definitely should.
mdensch@charter.net 03-10-2009, 08:55 AM And of course this coin has another side: fuel economy. Fuel consumption rises sharply as you go above 50-55 mph. People seemed to be more aware of this last summer when gas was $4/gallon.
kngkeith 03-10-2009, 09:09 AM If the pack that drives 75 are the members here, I would not feel unsafe, but we know that's not real world....they are not focused when they definitely should.
Yes. I am reminded of Hobbit's emphasis on following distance. Definitely more of a threat to safety, but requires more effort to enforce apparently.
Keith
Mike78 03-10-2009, 10:01 AM The tide of the country is difinitely summarized by the 4th poster who says Also, the rotting corpse driving 40 MPH is a bigger danger than most speeding too. . I'm sad to say I used to share a similar sentiment. Having a son has given me patience beyond belief that I never used to have. It's sad that we find ways to justify our unsafe behaviors by always blaming the other person. Just like MJ said (before he became a whacko), it starts with the man in the mirror.
Oh, and by the way, what kind of example is set by cleanmpg.com when on this very page I see an ad at the top for how to get out of a speeding ticket? Wayne, we must set a higher level of accountability on this.
Chuck 03-10-2009, 10:10 AM Oh, and by the way, what kind of example is set by cleanmpg.com when on this very page I see an ad at the top for how to get out of a speeding ticket? Wayne, we must set a higher level of accountability on this.Google Ads will choose the ad after scanning the thread, but is still clueless as to the pro or con side.
Mike78 03-10-2009, 10:12 AM Google Ads will choose the ad after scanning the thread, but is still clueless as to the pro or con side.
My mistake, I did not realize that was not controlled internally.
Earthling 03-10-2009, 10:17 AM And the insurance industry should levy steep surcharges on premiums for ticketed drivers -- justifiable given the increased risk these drivers represent.
I believe they are doing that.
People who think that getting caught speeding only involves paying for speeding tickets are sadly mistaken. The increased cost of auto insurance is another big expense they seem oblivious to. These are probably the same financial whizzes who have creative mortgages that they are now defaulting on...
Harry
GreenVTEC 03-10-2009, 11:30 AM ^
One of my buds crashed his Legacy GT while going 20+ over the limit during a downpour. Spent a couple weeks in a hospital on top of being totally at fault.
What does he drive now? Well since his insurance jacked up it's a "downgrade" to a used Speed3. And of course when passed by a hot M3 on the highway there we go pacing it at 110 mph.....
People never learn. The only way to force limits is to give you car that can't physically speed above the limit or a massive network of traffic cams on every streetlight.
bomber991 03-10-2009, 04:12 PM People who speed simply consider a ticket as the tax they pay for speeding. They reconcile in their mind that a few times a year they may have to cough up 1-200 bucks so that they can speed. This problem is aggravated by a system that focuses on the money aspect. Very few drivers who take their tickets to traffic court are assessed any 'points'. It's all about the Benjamins. Start smacking them with points and lifting their licenses and they may start to pay attention.
Yeah that's what I was going to say. A speeding ticket is more like a penalty than a punishment. My first ticket I paid something like $60 and then did defensive driving for another $40 and 6 hours of my time, plus 2 hours driving to the court house to say I would do DD, and then another 2 hours to prove I actually did DD. So 10 hours wasted plus $100 spent. Though the time wasted wasn't that bad. I did it all on my off time from work and I really had nothing better to do anyway.
I lived in Round Rock and the court house was in Austin. Damn 40 minute drive with traffic there and an hour coming back. I only spent 20 minutes in the actual building.
oldlar 03-10-2009, 08:53 PM Speeding is a no no for good economy driving. I tend to be a right lane rider driving at the posted limit. The problems arise from different speeds on the same road. If the limit is 65 and there are people who are driving 55 while others are driving 75 therein is the conflict. The guy doing 75 comes upon the driver at 55, the 75 mph driver needs to make corrective action. Usually by jamming on his brakes or swerving to another lane.
What drives me up the wall is the frieght train of cars going 75 down the highway with maybe a car length between them..just asking for an accident waiting to happen. I just stay to the right and hoprfully out of the way of the left hand lane losers.
High fines or points on the license wont matter as those with suspended licenses just drive with no license. Too bad thse drivers don't have their cars confiscated and put in storage at their expense until they get their license back.
Shrek 03-11-2009, 07:24 AM And of course this coin has another side: fuel economy. Fuel consumption rises sharply as you go above 50-55 mph. People seemed to be more aware of this last summer when gas was $4/gallon.
But as we all know, top speed during high-speed P&G could often favourably be above PSL. The average speed would be lower though.
Doofus McFancyPants 03-11-2009, 09:24 AM Georgia is considering a "Super Speeder" level of tickets. anything over 85 MPH gets an additional $200 On top of the existing fines.
Helps recover some of the city finances lost to econimic issues - plus will hopefully make people think twice about speeding. All the opponents are caliming is "this is just a way to fill the coffers!" to which the city has responded - "this is better than raising taxes on law abiding people".
Can't argue with THAT one...
Steve
PaleMelanesian 03-11-2009, 09:32 AM Whey even THEY do it, why should the average joe care?
Dallas council candidate Brint Ryan racks up speeding tickets while touting safety (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20323)
Tomjones76 03-11-2009, 03:05 PM I might suggest that income-curved tickets, as implemented in certain European countries, would be both more fair and more effective from a behavioral science perspective.
My doctor can pay for a $300 ticket in her first 45 minutes at work in the morning, but a $2750 ticket might make a stronger impression!
Chuck 03-11-2009, 03:14 PM I might suggest that income-curved tickets, as implemented in certain European countries, would be both more fair and more effective from a behavioral science perspective.
My doctor can pay for a $300 ticket in her first 45 minutes at work in the morning, but a $2750 ticket might make a stronger impression!Some wealthy guy in Finland got a half million dollar ticket.
PaleMelanesian 03-11-2009, 04:40 PM Maybe you could tie it to the vehicle cost instead. Lambo / Porsche drivers get big fines, Corolla drivers get little fines.
bomber991 03-11-2009, 05:07 PM I might suggest that income-curved tickets, as implemented in certain European countries, would be both more fair and more effective from a behavioral science perspective.
My doctor can pay for a $300 ticket in her first 45 minutes at work in the morning, but a $2750 ticket might make a stronger impression!
That works for me.
Maybe you could tie it to the vehicle cost instead. Lambo / Porsche drivers get big fines, Corolla drivers get little fines.
It should be the other way around, since a Porsche is gonna handle a lot better at 85mph than a Corolla.
lightfoot 03-11-2009, 06:37 PM STM it would make more sense to tie it to income rather than vehicle.
Chuck 03-12-2009, 09:26 AM I'm all but certain that District 13 includes the Preston Hollow neighborhood with many of the who's who of Dallas - see link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preston_Hollow#Present)
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