I’ll Bet Even Jimmy Carter Can’t Drive 55

I wonder if the 55 MPH speed limit, a product of his protracted era of malaise, wasn’t more of a factor in retrospect, of the quick demise of his executive branch career?

Meanwhile, over thirty years later, the government is relaxing in favor of allowing citizens to use their own judgment.

The 55 mph national speed limit enacted in 1973 in response to the first Arab oil embargo was justified as a means of conserving fuel. In 1987, the law was changed to allow speeds up to 65 mph. But the Republican Congress elected in 1994 did few things more popular than repealing the limit altogether in 1995.

Virginia will become the 34th state to boost interstate speed limits to 70 mph or higher. In big, empty states such as New Mexico, Idaho and Nevada, posted limits on rural interstates can be as high as 75 mph.

I have noticed when traveling longer distances that no matter what car I am driving, I tend to feel most comfortable just above 70 mph. The roads and our cars seem to be designed for that speed.

Left to their own devices, American drivers confronted with an open stretch of interstate highway tend to drive at about 70 miles per hour—whatever the legal speed limit happens to be.

But doesn’t speed kill?

both fatalities and fatality rates on U.S. highways are declining even as speed limits rise. The U.S. Department of Transportation last week reported that its latest estimate of highway deaths in 2009 is 33,963—the lowest number since the government began keeping these grim records in 1954. The fatality rate is estimated at 1.16 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

Modern cars and light trucks have an average of 225 horsepower under the hood and sophisticated safety systems such as traction control. They are designed to cruise comfortably, safely and efficiently at between 65 and 70 mph—if not faster, particularly in the case of the autobahn-burners German luxury brands sell.

Anything above 75, I feel I almost have to be “too attentive” to the road and am unable to enjoy the ride.

Anything below that…I get bored.

How fast do you drive?

24 thoughts on “I’ll Bet Even Jimmy Carter Can’t Drive 55

  1. I drove through Montana back in the late 90’s when there was no speed limit during daylight hours on the interstate. I did as high as 120, but the thrill of going that fast soon wore off and it just didn’t feel safe.

    The really odd sensation came from doing 110mph and being passed by a state trooper, who simply nodded his head as he went by.

  2. 70-75 in rural MN, ND. 75-79 in rural MT. Under 80 is fine. over 80 does require extra attention.

  3. Depends. On I-94 beyond Albertville, 75 is the norm. Anything less and you’ll get blown off the road.

    On Lexington Avenue, 25 is top end. Anything more and the potholes will throw you off the road.

    Depends.

  4. Speed does not kill. Sudden stops from high speed kill. I had occasion to drive to Hudson once per week during the spring and summer of 2004. The stretch of EB 94 from Woodbury to the river had traffic frequently traveling 80-90 during late evening rush hour. That was fun 🙂

  5. I try to avoid the highway if possible, so it’s generally right around the posted. When I’m on an interstate, if it’s in town 60, if out of town the ol’ cruise control gets set at 71. And the wife tells me to slow down.

  6. On city streets – as close to posted limits as possible.

    On freeway – as fast as traffic would allow, all the way up until rev-limiter cuts in. I am a firm believer in spending less time on the road, and more at a destination. Look at it this way: the more time you are on the road – the higher the risk of getting into an accident.

  7. I stick to the limit. Traffic tickets are a hassle. Once, on the SanDiego freeway I got in the HOV lane and had to drive 80 to avoid being tailgated. Being that close to the concrete wall was a bit unnerving. I don’t want to be a NASCAR driver. I’ve never driven a car like a Mercedes/BMW/etc that is truly designed for high speeds. Could be interesting but I’ve got other things on my bucket list.

  8. Go with the flow. I-94 is a great example — 75-80 is fine for heading to St. Cloud from the metro, but you’re asking for a ticket if you drive that fast in Wisconsin. And if you’re on I-94 in Michigan, you’d better be going at least 80 or you’ll get blown off the road.

  9. Travelled to CO last summer, interstate hwy speed limits from 65-75. When travelling across Nebraska the traffic was heavy due to the July 4th weekend moving just above the posted 75. Few cars came zooming by most that past me where only a few miles faster than my 73. Cool part is a I got 19 mpg with my big truck at those speeds (3 tanks worth to test). Normally I get 18 mph highway for my minnesota travels, but then again there is usually some stops to made instate.

  10. Well, I was doing 115 on ice this past weekend. 🙂

    http://grumpyoldmen3.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-feel-need-need-for-speed.html

    On the interstate I try to stay under 85 as not to blatantly get a ticket, but 90 or so would be a comfortable speed.

    On non-interstate highways the ticket risk increases at +10 and above.

    Over the past year I was pulled over and given a warning for 84 in a 70 and 67 in a 55.

    Hey golfdoc50, could you write me a doctors note stating my right foot is abnormally heavier than my left?

  11. On the open highway, I shoot for eight to nine MPH above the posted speed limit. I have a good friend with the State Patrol who told me, generally, that doesn’t make me a big enough fish to go after, unless a cop is particularly behind his ticket quota.

  12. Once when we were in Italy we received a grossly incorrect estimate of how long it took to get from Sarzana to Torino. The 2-3 hours was actually 4+, and once we were on the way and doing the math I realized we were not going to make our flight without doing some flying on our own. Fortunately, my rental reservation for a 4-door compact had been mysteriously upgraded at no charge to a Mercedes sedan earlier in the week. We floored it on the autostrada, hitting 110 mph (had to do more math to convert from kilometers). It was cool: the car handled beautifully with no noise or vibration to suggest the high speed and the highway was three-lanes and wide open. It was great, and if it wasn’t for the stress of wondering if we were going to make our flight, I would have enjoyed it a lot more – especially since in Italy the culture says you get out of people’s way on the ‘strada (no left-lane moralists poking along at 52 mph for my own good).

    Btw, we made it, with five minutes to spare.

  13. I generally go with the flow of traffic (or maybe a few MPH faster if I’m in the left lane for more than a few miles which is my preferred placement if I’m going more than a few miles), no matter how fast it is going. I’ve observed that if you don’t attract attention, you’re probably safe from being scrutinzed. I’d feel safer doing 71 in a 55 in a Ferrari if everyone else was going 65-70, than I would going 71 in our minivan if everyone else was going 55.

  14. When I’m on the bike, my personal rule of thumb is “left lane, 3MPH faster than the car next to me, 3 MPH slower than the car in front of me”

  15. Kermit Says: “I try to avoid the highway if possible, so it’s generally right around the posted. When I’m on an interstate, if it’s in town 60, if out of town the ol’ cruise control gets set at 71. And the wife tells me to slow down.”

    I’m very much like Kermit when driving the truck or car. Pretty much the same with the HD except that speed is decided more on what is in line with defensive driving considerations. You really need your wits about you on any of the in-town freeways. There are times when it can get hairy, there are a lot of drivers in “cages” that are just plain whacked!

  16. Never use the cruise in town. It just can’t be done safely. Too many fools talking on the phone instead of paying attention.

  17. It’s like the TV commercial “They’re out there!”. Driving while on the phone, texting, having lunch, putting on make-up, shaving, you name it, everything but paying attention. Sadly I’ve lost friends, in cars, on bikes, and on foot (for Christ sake), because someone was “multi-tasking”.

  18. 3-350 in close formation
    .9 Mach in line abreast and…..
    as fast as she’ll go, as far as she’ll run (depending on tanker availability) when getting shot at!!!!
    133 + 4 per 1000# coming aboard

  19. Jeez you guys are slowpokes!

    110mph on an autostrada? in a Merc? You should be ashamed of yourself! I pushed my rental FIAT over that going from Milan to Venice a bunch of years back. On that same trip, we drove my buddy’s diesel A6 at well over 150Mph on the way from Frankfurt to Hamburg.

    June can’t come soon enough – I’m going to an AMG driving academy with my friend. Hope to see at least 160mph on the speedo. [grin]

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