How Do You Deal With Tailgaters?

[Jstpssng]

It wasn't a 5 second rule. It's a 2 second rule. 5 seconds would put you almost a tenth of a mile behind the car in front of you at 70mph.

They've changed it to 3 seconds. As I mentioned above, if you do the math comparing that to the reaction/stopping distance charts we used to learn (1 car length for every 10 mph) it works out to 2.5 seconds.

 

[MossRoad]

The speed limit in the US is 55mph if i recall right.. is there a speed limit when towing a trailer ?
Here in Holland the speed limit for trucks and vehicles with trailers was 80kmh. But since trucks are governed at 87 to 92 kmh by law, and urban people who tow their caravan twice a year drive 80 on the speedometer (so 76 in reality) trucks were holding up the fast lane when taking over the caravans. So the speed limit when towing was increased to 90kmh...

As others have mentioned, the speed limit varies due to various reasons. Usually, near congested urban areas it's 55mph. Open areas, some states set limit at 60 or 65. Others 70. Some further west even 80. Also depends on if it's a limited access highway.

Back in the 70s there was a fuel embargo and the national speed limit was set at 55. So many highways that were built during that time were built for 55. Now some of those highways have had the speed limits set to 65, and the on and off ramps aren't long enough for acceleration or deceleration.

Sometimes they'll do traffic surveys and find the average speed of traffic in an area, then raise the limit if everyone is doing 10 over.

 

[MossRoad]

Im not saying it doesnt vary some in some states, but generally, the speed limit, is the speed limit for everyone and all loads. Some heavy trucks governor at 65 mph for fuel economy reasons, even though the speed limit may be 70+. Cars, trucks, busses, cars with trailers, all same speed limit.

Many highways around hear have slower speed limits for truck, buses, and anything hauling a trailer than passenger cars. I65, I69, 80/90 toll road, etc...

 

[paulsharvey]

So, behind the scenes, not posted, but publicly available if you ask; roads have a design speed, and a posted speed; and then regulatory and adverisery speeds posted on curves.

Generally, roads Are designed to a higher speed than posted; taking into account that people drive faster than legal. At times, posted speeds may be increased if the design speed can safely accommodate it.

Things like radius of curves, sight distance, roadside hazards, vertical curves, and super elevations are factors that affect speed. Its not just a "wing it" or feels like it should be 50 vs 60

 

[MossRoad]

I hear over and over, "if I drive the speed limit, ill get ran over", thats a BS excuse. Interstate, if its at 65/70, and you run 65/70, your not getting ran Over, your gettinf passed, which is maybe an injury to your pride, but nothing else. Now, going 45 mph (often the posted min of interstate), that likely is a bit unsafe, as if someone is going 90 and your going 45, they Could get into you before they realize the speed difference.

Yes, I would Like to run 85 in a lot of places, but, the idea you can't run 65 is crap.

Go drive the Dan Ryan in Chicago and try and go the speed limit. You're a hazard to all other traffic at that point.

 

[MossRoad]

In my state, they passed the "hindering traffic" laws. Meaning on a dual or up lane road. If you're holding up traffic, you can be ticketed! So left lane riders doing speed limit, traffic stacking up behind you, better move to the right or risk a ticket.

I'll pass and move back over when safe to do so. No need to ride the left lane! No big deal to change lanes to allow the "knuckle heads" to fly by!

Even if you're riding the left lane going 10 over the speed limit, and holding up traffic, you can get a ticket for holding up traffic in Indiana. Just move over unless you're passing. Pretty easy to do.

 

[paulsharvey]

Go drive the Dan Ryan in Chicago and try and go the speed limit. You're a hazard to all other traffic at that point.

Dont know the road or the speed; but Many studies have shown trucks governor's to 65 mph have a Lower crash rate than those not. Doesn't matter that the speed limit is 70/75/80; the trucks running 65 do Not have great accidents.

 

[MossRoad]

They've changed it to 3 seconds. As I mentioned above, if you do the math comparing that to the reaction/stopping distance charts we used to learn (1 car length for every 10 mph) it works out to 2.5 seconds.

Yep. Try driving in traffic and leaving 3 seconds in front of you. Someone will immediately pull into the space, forcing you to slow down. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

 

[MossRoad]

Dont know the road or the speed; but Many studies have shown trucks governor's to 65 mph have a Lower crash rate than those not. Doesn't matter that the speed limit is 70/75/80; the trucks running 65 do Not have great accidents.

That's because ungoverned trucks used to road rage all over the highway. Now they can't because their governed and monitored. All they can do is pull into the left lane and take 3-4 miles to pass another truck that's going 0.5mph slower than them.

 

[paulsharvey]

That's because ungoverned trucks used to road rage all over the highway. Now they can't because their governed and monitored. All they can do is pull into the left lane and take 3-4 miles to pass another truck that's going 0.5mph slower than them.

Doesn't really matter, it just shows that traveling at 65, even when posted higher is Not a hazard. People will tell you it is, because they dont like being governored, but math says otherwise. Not saying any vehicles Should be limited, just saying the "driving the speed limit gets you killed" argument is completely untrue.

Heck, I think some trucking company's governor at like 62.5 mph.