Should the speed limit be higher?

[The Penguin]

I'll admit to driving at 85mph on motorways, mainly during the night when they're not busy, when travelling across the country. But I'd not abandon speed limits altogether, as people in general seem to be too stupid to drive sensibly.. it's like they play GTA V, or watch Top Gear and transfer the adrenaline straight to the roads!
I'm interested in the accident statistics on the German Autobahns though..
Do speed limits reduce the number of road deaths? | News | The Guardian
Make of this article what you will..

For me I have no issues speeding on a highway where there no residential area along the road and person knows how to drive responsively.

 

[The Penguin]

There's a police station nearby so I'm sure the cops are just using it as a trap to get the city more revenue. Smh.

I got caught in a speed trap before. Got a lawyer to fight the ticket so my licence won't be suspended. Though I not driving that fast again as lawyers are not cheap.

 

[Harrison]

I have to say, recovery work has become a special interest of mine now. It's amazing how many different ways people can screw up driving between two white lines.

 

[Spiller]

Whilst speed certainly kills, the major factor on UK roads is inexperience and low skill levels. I work recovering vehicles and the majority of my job puts me on the emergency lane of the motorways. The number of times I have had a near miss is ridiculous, even though I have a 12 tonne bright yellow truck covered in flashing lights, someone will always want to run into it because they 'didn't see it'.

This year the speed is being increased for heavy goods vehicles on 'A' roads from 40 to 50mph, at the same time as they have lowered the driving age for those vehicles from 21 to 18. So we are about to have very inexperienced drivers in 44 tonne trucks on 'A' roads at 50mph. I think it's time to look for another job

I said in another post somewhere, that I taught my youngest son to drive when he was seven. I've never seen anyone so careful and apply so much concentration to driving.. also, he has his Legoland driving licence, which, in my opinion, is very nearly as valid as the DVLA version, which is mostly about making money anyway.
I strongly believe that such skills should be taught young.. before 'Speed-madness' syndrome takes hold.
Also, I suppose we must understand that many people have more important things to do whilst behind the wheel than actually paying attention to the road (there isn't a sarcastic face, so I'll use this one)

 

[Tom]

The higher speed limit in Germany is nice when you are in the mood, but congested traffic conditions often make it moot point. (I think there actually is a limit, its just very high). I usually found myself just settling into the slow lane with the trucks and such. Really fast driving requires very well maintained and designed roads however. The German car inspection criteria is very tough also.

I thought I heard that there is a higher fatality rate per accident in Germany, but do not know how they stand in basic accident rates.

They do have some really wicked accidents, especially in bad weather conditions like fog or icing. The worst things I ever saw was when stopping to help at a three car accident at high speed. The cause was black ice on an overpass, while the rest of the road was clear. In other words you didn't know the ice was coming. We slid a bit even though going about 55mph. The car the started the pile up hit it at maybe 90mph.

 

[Judge]

Hmmm...higher speed limit? Might not be a "smart" idea.

 

[wyverary]

I suppose, as both an environmentalist and someone who drives regularly (and thus concerned for their own safety), I'm not in favor of raising the speed limit. Here in Tennessee, it is 70MPH on most freeways, but I set my cruise control (at least when I 'm not near major cities) to 65. That way, not only am I saving a bit on gas mileage (and yes, it does make a difference at those speeds), but I also don't have to worry about passing anybody, which makes it much less stressful.

 

[Spiller]

I suppose, as both an environmentalist and someone who drives regularly (and thus concerned for their own safety), I'm not in favor of raising the speed limit. Here in Tennessee, it is 70MPH on most freeways, but I set my cruise control (at least when I 'm not near major cities) to 65. That way, not only am I saving a bit on gas mileage (and yes, it does make a difference at those speeds), but I also don't have to worry about passing anybody, which makes it much less stressful.

I quite agree, from an environmental and cost perspective.. I also coast along with my foot down on the clutch pedal in my manual (stick-shift), so the engine's just idling a lot of the time, let the speedo drop 4-5mph and just give it a boost back up to speed every few seconds.. takes a bit of practice, but I can get about 20% extra mileage to the gallon, depending on road and traffic conditions. Don't know if anyone else has tried this?

 

[The Penguin]

I quite agree, from an environmental and cost perspective.. I also coast along with my foot down on the clutch pedal in my manual (stick-shift), so the engine's just idling a lot of the time, let the speedo drop 4-5mph and just give it a boost back up to speed every few seconds.. takes a bit of practice, but I can get about 20% extra mileage to the gallon, depending on road and traffic conditions. Don't know if anyone else has tried this?

Maybe one day when I own a car. Right now I only rent cars so it would be hard for me to tell. But I don't know, I just one of those drivers prefers to drive fast. I find I'm in the passing lane most of the time. I'm so happy gas prices dropping a lot lately.

 

[Progster]

For some reason, when I first saw the title I thought it said "Should the speed of light be higher?" Lol

Here there are stretches of motorway where you can go up to 140km/hr. some stretches of road have speed limits lowered deliberately so the police can set up speed traps and catch motorists out so they can generate more revenue (or put money into their own pockets).

 

[The Penguin]

some stretches of road have speed limits lowered deliberately so the police can set up speed traps and catch motorists out so they can generate more revenue (or put money into their own pockets

yeah that happen to me before. I got my lawyer to take care of it.