Fuel Economy and Oil Dependency

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Comments

  • gogogodzillagogogodzilla Member Posts: 707
    Speed is irrelevent in passing (except to get it done).

    What matters is the length of time taken to pass. If someone is trying to pass at a slower rate than the flow of traffic for that lane, then they should pass as quickly as is safe... or else give up and stop trying.

    However, if there is no traffic in the passing lane... than that 2 mph might actually BE acceptable.

    I look at passing with the phrase "S*@t, or get off the pot!" mentality. IE - pass... or get out of the way. Don't try, DO.
  • gogogodzillagogogodzilla Member Posts: 707
    I favor vehicle-launched anti-tank missiles as my negative reinforcement!

    :P
  • gogogodzillagogogodzilla Member Posts: 707
    Say I set my cruise control to 70 and come on someone who has set theirs for 68 when I pass them I am not going to speed up just so you can continue on with your speeding,

    And that's quite rude. Passing should be done as quickly as is safely possible.
  • gogogodzillagogogodzilla Member Posts: 707
    So then, if that's your overriding concern... you should not pass if you exceed the speed limit in order to do so.

    Which means that you'll be in the right-hand lanes when all those rude, lawbreaking speed-demons pass you in the left lane.

    Therefore, you don't have to worry about the problem.
  • gogogodzillagogogodzilla Member Posts: 707
    Yup. That's it in a nutshell. Poor lane discipline is probably the single biggest traffic problem America has.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    But golfman4 is being discourteous to other drivers in the scenario he describes.

    I don't agree with that, thats like saying the guy infront of me at the grocery store with a full cart is being discourteous simply for getting in line before me.

    When entering a lane of traffic, you must match your speed to the traffic in that lane.

    But it is rare that all traffic in a lane is going the same speed so which one do I choose? In cases where all traffic in a lane is going the same speed its usually because of high congestion so its pretty much a moot point.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    If you cause someone to touch their brake while your are passing and blocking the left lane, then it is unreasonable.

    So if I am doing 70 passing a truck doing 55 and you come up behind me in your Vette doing 150 and have to hit your brakes am I passing at an unreasonable speed?

    I'm not advocating violence,

    Thats exactly what you are advocating.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    While you are increasing the length of time required to get from point 'A' to point 'B' you do not increase congestion. If you pick a point on the road you will notice that there will be longer time intervals between cars. longer time intervals between cars is a reduction in congestion.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • loosenutloosenut Member Posts: 165
    passing?--try-READING YOUR DRIVERS HANDBOOK ! ! !..and if you speed up to keep someone from passing-you are breaking the law!!-let alone endangering everyone around you..let them pass!!it's THEIR ticket!!"!
    --55 was just like all the crap that goes on in the airports today ! !
    a STUPID way to make people feel safe-when really-it wasa way for the goverment to make money off of the citizens!!..55 was a way for the states to pick your pocket,as the freeways,-even in the east,-were desined for 70..that's why it's near impossible to drive that slow-even if you wanted to!!..55 is a way for people who shouldn't be driving-to feel like they can drive,when it's so boring,you are easily distracted!..at 70,the road will keep your attention-or you'll soon find yourself parked funny in the corn field!-upside down!! :mad:
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    Uh snake, not sure if you're just kidding around here, but golfman's scenario was NOTHING like someone with a full shopping cart being ahead of you in a grocery checkout lane.

    And when I said match the speed of the lane you are entering, it was shorthand for match the speed of the person you are about to be in front of. We were talking about passing on the interstate - if you are on the urban 8-lane at rush hour none of these common courtesies is going to come into play much, as everyone is chugging along at the same 10 mph.

    But if you are on rural I-5/I-10/I-whatever, speed up to pass, don't impede other drivers in the passing lane, it's just discourteous. ;-)

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I was hovering at 65 or less on I-94 the other day returning to Green Bay from Chicago in modest Saturday traffic. There do seem to be quite a few cops on that road.

    Not sure which side of the Cheddar Curtain you are talking about but I do know that Wisconsin police have a reputation for pulling over cars with Illinois plates at the drop of a hat.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    No thats not rude, especially if the SL is set at what I am doing or lower. Passing another car going 2 MPH faster takes only about 8 seconds. If you come up on me when I am passing someone in that type of situation then you only have to wait a few seconds. Its rather rude to expect someone to change their behaviour just so you can get some place a few seconds faster.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Thats not my concern, my concern is that there seems to be several people here that think its ok to do one "wrong" thing (if they benefit) but not to do another "wrong" thing (if they perceive that they are being inconvenienced).

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Uh snake, not sure if you're just kidding around here,

    I am 100% serious here and Golfmans scenario is exactly like someone with a full shopping cart in front of you in the grocery checkout lane.

    Here is why, the guy with the full cart is going to go through the checkout slower than you just the same way as Golfman is passing the car slower than you. And just like the guy with the shopping cart is in front of you is just due to timing so is Golfman is infront of you due to timing. And just as you should be patient and wait for the guy in front of you to go through you should just be patient and wait for golfman to complete his pass. It will only slow you down for a few seconds.

    And when I said match the speed of the lane you are entering, it was shorthand for match the speed of the person you are about to be in front of.

    And what if that person is doing an unreasonable unsafe speed?

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • vchiuvchiu Member Posts: 564
    >I now live in a bike friendly community

    Looks like you are living in a good place because areas with bike friendly infrastructures are precious and few.

    You are one of the few who don't regard mass transit as for the people on the brink of poverty. I also have high regard for mass transit and I can quote the examples of a few cities I knew before and after mass transit was implemented. This really changed the quality of life.

    incidentally, when I travelled in Berlin or Munich, I saw many people taking their bike when boarding the train (U-Bahn). the density of the network coverage allow for people to cycle to and from the train station, which makes a very low oil consuming journey. Trains come with a luggage compartment so that it is possible to make deliveries /cycle with the U-Bahn.

    cycling is mybe the solution that offers an incredible combination of economy and health, but nothing serious is done in order to accomodate cyclists. This is very regretful. Some people prefer to spend $50 monthly in gas and gym subscription to give themselves the feeling of doing exercise.

    Somehow I don't know how mass transit are so looked down upon in the US. Depending from one single transportation way is as healthy as having one single candidate to choose for the president run. I view the absence of choice as a kind of dictatorship. Cars are great but car dictatorship is not.
  • vchiuvchiu Member Posts: 564
    Better air drag coefficient

    We have been through the era of large SUV with a cupboard-like air drag coefficient. How about re-developping sleek station-wagons like the Germans do ?

    While being in an Escalade allows certainly for a good seating, a longer sleeker (and lighter) station wagon could offer better fuel efficiency.

    The downside would be much less inside accomodation height and overall volume.
    The plus would be a sedan-like comfort and road holding ability. just compare the E / 5 / A6 in SW or Sedan versions.

    I look at the buick Roadmaster Estate (Station Wagon 4Dr). maybe a similar concept with 7 seats, a better aerodynamism and of course more efficient powertrains could easily edge the FE of the coming compact SUV.

    I heard Cadillac is developing a CTS wagon. the GM group is already offering good SW through Saab and Opel. not sure why they don't push them in the US.
  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    my concern is that there seems to be several people here that think its ok to do one "wrong" thing

    There is nothing wrong with travelling the-flow-of-traffic on a road. What is wrong is that the SL's have not been adjusted to what people are travelling.

    I think you consider the SL as some sort of moral absolute good-bad decision. They aren't. The statistics indicate that there is no reason to have the speed limits set for everyone as low as they are, based on safety. The main reason I see for SL's is to 1) generate revenue for certain gov't's and 2) to provide a reason for police to stop people they deem "undesireable" or "possibly criminal".

    And I also think your grocery analogy isn't that relevant. What you really should have said is that Golfman should stay behind the slow-moving person, and not get in the way of the people going to the Express Line. ;) Seriously - if you want to pass look in the rearview mirror; if you see someone or multiple cars closing on you, then don't get in the passing-lane at that moment. Wait until they go by, then do your 2 mph-faster pass.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,691
    Indeed he courtesy in the grocery store line is the same as should be shown on the road. But a few think it's not the acceptable way to drive because they should go as fast as they wish when they wish and how they wish.

    As for the people who find that speed limits shouldn't be set by the states and the local municipalities, the problem is that there are laws. The laws against murder, illegal immigration, drugs, morals in politics, drinking while driving all seem to be variable and a few people feel they shouldn't exist if it inconveniences themselves. But the laws are set by society for just that reason. :):cry: :P

    kernick says: >if you want to pass look in the rearview mirror; if you see someone or multiple cars closing on you, then don't get in the passing-lane at that moment :sick:

    If those people, who I assume are speeding since the speed limits don't apply to them, are in the right hand lane, they won't be so obvious part of the time. AND they can just be courteous and get in the grocery line while the person who moved out to pass completes the pass. Then they can continue flaunting their violation of the speed limit. :blush:

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    What is wrong is that the SL's have not been adjusted to what people are travelling.

    What is wrong is that the people have not been adjusting to the speed limit.

    "Speed Limit" the maximum speed allowed under law in the most optimum conditions.

    It, the speed limit, is absolute, not a guide and the people are lawfully bound to be submissive to the letter of the law so learn to knuckle under & be conforming. ;)
  • lemmerlemmer Member Posts: 2,689
    Apparently Greyhound is backing off on their ad campaign touting their safety after one of their passengers for no reason stabbed a fellow passenger repeatedly, cut off his head, starting eating pieces of the guy, and kept his nose, lips, and ears in his pocket.

    I guess you never know who you are sitting next to on public transport.
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    if you want to pass look in the rearview mirror; if you see someone or multiple cars closing on you, then don't get in the passing-lane at that moment. Wait until they go by, then do your 2 mph-faster pass.

    Except for the "2 mph" pass, agree completely. Practice this all the time and wish that others would. Wonder if this is taught in high school driver's ed and other courses.

    Even doing this, sometimes when passing a long line of slow trucks, cars who are in right lane, someone who had been way way back in my mirror and is going very fast will be getting closer to me. Many times I will find a slot in right lane, duck in safely and briefly, and then get back out into left lane to resume passing rest of slow trucks, cars.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,510
    Yer, blind deference to idiotic and unjustifiable laws set by people who have no knowledge or credentials to set them, and operate in a void of accountability and responsibility when they are in error...that's surely what the US is founded upon... :sick:

    What is "wrong" is that some people are terminally unable to question the actions and regulations of an incompetent government when it comes to traffic regulations, yet will hold most other actions of the same government as flawed and incapable of being correct.

    It's simply not your business if others wish to drive a speed seen as acceptable by the rest of the developed world. The silent generation is why the US is faltering. You give this illiterate Clark county babble about law adherence, as if you have never broken a law. Those who live in glass houses...
  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    It, the speed limit, is absolute, not a guide and the people are lawfully bound to be submissive to the letter of the law so learn to knuckle under & be conforming.

    I hope you're joking. For there have been and still are many bad laws. Wasn't it Yoda who said, "Only a Sith believes in absolutes."?

    And a speed limit or any law is not absolute; it is simply a number CHOSEN and can be CHANGED at any time.
  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    What is "wrong" is that some people are terminally unable to question the actions and regulations of an incompetent government when it comes to traffic regulations, yet will hold most other actions of the same government as flawed and incapable of being correct.

    Examples - many of the idiotic sheep of the Soviet Union (ah the good old days of Stalinism, where even the THOUGHT of rebellion against the state was against the law), [non-permissible content removed] Germany, Prohibiton, and Southern Segregation laws. So many good law-abiding citizens. :cry:

    While SL is certainly not so serious, I am always amazed at the number of people who blindly obey. Oh yes the common excuse is that's the past, and our leaders are better morally and smarter people (I haven't seen the great evolutionary jump). Think about the fact that the government could right now scoop up anyone for any purported reason, and send them to Guantanomo for as long as they want.
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    While SL is certainly not so serious, I am always amazed at the number of people who blindly obey. Oh yes the common excuse is that's the past, and our leaders are better morally and smarter people

    At different times in past, I have talked to some members of highway dept in my county on issues. They are level headed and the actions that they have taken over the years on adjusting speed limits on various roads (not interstate) have been sensible and correct. Citizens, as always, have voice with their elected leaders and highway dept on speed limits as well as any other road/highway issue.

    I suppose an alternative to having highway depts studying and adjusting speed limits should be given over to some one else. Teen age guys? Guys going 20-30 over on interstates?

    Think about the fact that the government could right now scoop up anyone for any purported reason, and send them to Guantanomo for as long as they want.

    Better be careful what is said here. Pretty soon the guys in black suits and black Suburbans will scoop up recalcitrant posters and ship to Gitmo. ;)
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,510
    Some of those old mindsets are sadly alive in well in 2008 USA. A problematic society requires blind obedience.

    Our leaders are probably even less competent now than in the past, and that's saying something. I am sure some out there would send speeders to G'mo and keep the show trials going.
  • golfman4golfman4 Member Posts: 18
    Has anybod had this scenario?
    You are going 70 in a 65,(interstate) you come up on a driver that's going the 68 mph I described in an earlier scenario. In theory it should take about 10 seconds to pass. I pull into the left lane to start to pass but wait, the car in the right hand lane suddenly realize he (or she) is going too slow and decides to step on the pedal. This means I may have to go 75 (or more) to complete the pass. Since we are now going side by side, my only option is to either risk a ticket (I'm already speeding AND in the passing lane) or hit my brakes a bit and pull back in behind the other driver. I may or may not get rear ended by the driver coming up on me in the left lane. Either scenario is not good. Probabbly a good reason for road rage (not mine) on somebody's part although I may be the indirect cause.
    The direct cause is the guy who doesn't like my 70-75 mph pace while completing the pass.
    Or am I the DIRECT cause?
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    The self proclaimed no better anarchists complain about the absolute laws, but sulk in the knowledge they have no power, position, or authority to change the particular law they happen to not agree with. The only standing they have is to proclaim those who are disciplined to respect the law are a problem to their selfish driving behaviors.

    They accuse the government of being incompetent & proclaim their kind are somehow more enlightened, superior in knowledge and driving ability when in practice are a menace to others who are law abiding. Self centered, undisciplined, and egalitarian drivers who view the traffic laws with disdain - for those laws demanding respect and they behave without respect in most phases of their lives.

    So, when you appear before the Judge, be sure to spew your opinions to him as you so freely do in these posts. See how far you get with Authority. :mad:
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,510
    And the self proclaimed authoritarians, basking in their lack of credibility and credentials, afraid the world will discover their impotence and hypocrisy, also have no power and no authority to do anything. They wish to impose arbitrary and outdated speed limits on others as some kind of ego-boosting deputized speedtrapper, but this will cause nothing but road rage to be directed at them - and rightfully so. Face it, you have no right to intrude.

    Respect must be earned, and the blind deference of the silent generation is not worthy of respect, for it leads to destruction. You are not authority. Do you understand? You are not authority. You are not a judge. You have no recourse.

    If you have ever broken a single law, by your mindset you have absolutely no right to lecture anyone, and are no better than those you whine about.
  • grbeckgrbeck Member Posts: 2,358
    kernick: And a speed limit or any law is not absolute; it is simply a number CHOSEN and can be CHANGED at any time.

    Better yet, for those who insist that all laws are to be accorded equal weight, one has to ask that if this is so, why aren't punishments for offenses equal across the board?

    If speed limits have same level of gravity as the laws prohibiting murder, I wonder why no state provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole for driving 80 mph in the 65 mph zone.

    By the same token, I doubt that if any of us murder someone in cold blood, the maximum penalty will be a $150 fine, plus court costs.
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    It's fine in big cities, but once you get out into the suburbs, smaller towns, etc, it's just not that feasible.

    Well, let's start with the big cities then. We could accomplish a lot just starting there. I could count on one hand the number of cities with good public transit and high ridership. We need to get that number WAY up.

    The more we wait, the more large businesses will move out of the traditional urban centers into the 'burbs, and the more difficult this task will become.

    And lemmer, come come now, let's not fearmonger!

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    I suppose an alternative to having highway depts studying and adjusting speed limits should be given over to some one else.

    The SL's should be set according to what the majority of the drivers on any particular stretch of road are driving. It's that simple.

    Ex. If on an interstate that's posted 65mph, the majority of the people are driving 70-80 mph, then the SL should be set at 80mph. Keep a separate lower SL for vehicle's with poor driving dynamics - RV's buses, and trucks.

    Option 2 ) If we have the money, and we do have the technology the SL could be based on your driving record and the performance capabilities of the vehicle you are driving. Reward driving experience, safe driving record, any advanced driver training, and the type of vehicle you drive - sports car allowed faster than a MV.
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,956
    poor lane discipline is a problem best solved by either rocket or grenade launchers installed and mounted on my front bumper. I wish I had them at times....

    I'd prefer them to anti-tank missiles.

    But I agree, poor lane discipline caused by people thinking a SL sign is the bible and gospel truth handed down by God is a big problem that causes most traffic situations in the US.

    The problem isn't too many cars, it's too many bad drivers with poor lane discipline, poor merging skills, and poor accident avoidance skills.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,956
    No thats not rude, especially if the SL is set at what I am doing or lower. Passing another car going 2 MPH faster takes only about 8 seconds. If you come up on me when I am passing someone in that type of situation then you only have to wait a few seconds.

    what you are describing is not only rude, it is extremely rude.
    8 seconds might not take into account someone's desire to have a cushion behind them when they pass a slower moving vehicle.

    Also, why not wait to pass at a slow speed for a time when you will not impede and slow down traffic behind you. I'd say cutting off a Vette doing 150 MPH is a bad idea, why not let it pass first before attempting your rude passing manuever. If you can't pass without impeding traffic, don't try it, don't do it!
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    The direct cause is the guy who doesn't like my 70-75 mph pace while completing the pass.
    Or am I the DIRECT cause?


    No, he/she has caused the problem by speeding up when they can see you are attempting to pass, another discourtesy.

    Which brings up another issue: the total lack of awareness of most drivers of what is going on on the road around them. Our drivers have such poor skills it is no wonder the folks in power think we need a low SL just to keep everyone safe.

    Where they have a disconnect is in not realizing that just putting a speed on a signpost will not cause the majority of drivers to actually stay below it.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,956
    And what if that person is doing an unreasonable unsafe speed?

    Easy and correct/right answer: Avoid him or her, don't impede him or her, and don't block him or her.

    As with any unsafe driver, I like to distance myself.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    You should read the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, and the other founding concepts of Thomas Jefferson and the other founders of the country.

    http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/rightsof/

    In fact, the Bill of Rights can be read as the definitive statement of that most American of values: the idea that the individual is prior to and takes precedence over any government.
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,956
    Self centered, undisciplined, and egalitarian drivers who view the traffic laws with disdain - for those laws demanding respect and they behave without respect in most phases of their lives.

    The traffic laws in CA demand no respect. They are insanely incompetent, ignorant laws with ridiculously lowest common demoninator speed limits. They exist soley for the corrupt and greedy traffic officers, judges, and other monetary beneficiaries for the sole reason that it provides them greater wealth through unfairly high fines and a justice system that mocks what our forefathers wrote in the constitution!

    Most people's only experience with the US Justice/Court system is through Traffic Court (hopefully), and it is no wonder to me that young people today have little to no respect for the law, courts, justices, police, sheriffs, and other law enforcement. The SHAM this money making industry is, is putting a black eye on the US Constitution and our Country. The joke of our court system and the loss of people's rights is staggering!

    1) You cannot have a fair trial unless you have a right to a Jury trial! (no can do in traffic court!)
    2) You cannot have a fair trial unless the proceedings are recorded either electronically or by a court recorder/reporter.
    3) You abolish wannabe judges and referees and only use real Commissioners/Judges.
    4) Judges are held to higher accountability for their misdeeds during a trial and the public is given great authority to reprimand them for blatant favoritism.
    5) DA's should be held to respond to traffic court discoveries and information replies just as they do for criminal cases.
    6) all laws are enforeced equally and blindly by the law, and that means issuing sanctions when the DA or CHP don't respond to Discovery clauses and penal codes in the allotted time frames. If the defendant can be fined, why can't the Police Officers or DA for violating the Penal Code.
    7) Enforce our Constitution! Meaning you have a right to face your accuser, and a red light camera is not someone you can cross examine in court, therefore, all video enforcement should be abolished immediately!!! No one witnessed the taking of the video, then it is hearsay evidence, not acceptable!

    We need to wake up and realize our current gov't will never be 1/100th as smart as the writers and authors of our Nation's Constitution.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    Which brings up another issue: the total lack of awareness of most drivers of what is going on on the road around them. Our drivers have such poor skills it is no wonder the folks in power think we need a low SL just to keep everyone safe.

    Right. With increased use of cell phones, which decrease alertness as if one drinking alcohol, and text messaging, plugging in Ipods, etc., we have to account for lowest denominator in setting speed limits. The fool drivers that use these gadgets distract themselves from the driving task at hand. Just other day saw a woman with a cell phone to her head driving in center lane of I90 at about 70.
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    Calm down, andres, take a breath. :-)

    You have no RIGHT to drive, and traffic infractions are not criminal offenses (except DUI if you do a bad bad thing while driving drunk, like hurt someone), which is why the constitution does not guarantee you these things you want in traffic court. It is also why the DA plays no role in traffic court.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,956
    Ha, but what are infractions if not criminal offenses?

    Who says I don't want the rights that come with a criminal offense? What is this "Infraction" thing concocted by greedy gov't insiders?

    I know that some so-called infractions can ruin my pursuit of happiness with fines approaching $500 for red-light violations!!! (and no distinction is made between a CA stop right turn and running a red light at 50 mph). Shame on the Gov't again!

    Oh wait, it is not a fine, it's called "court fees, assessments, and penalties." Whatever you call it, infraction, fine, fee, charges, surplus, it doesn't matter, it all costs the same.

    Who is the one who decided trading "no time in jail" was worth losing your right to a trial by jury with a DA present to prosecute? I didn't plea bargain this. I'd rather up the stakes in order to get a fair trial, rather than play lowstakes with rigged games (which is what traffic court in CA is).
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • lemmerlemmer Member Posts: 2,689
    One could fearmonger a lot more easily with carjacking than bus decapitations, but cannibals in our midst is just too sensational not to talk about. I imagine on the whole, you are safer on a bus than in your personal car.
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    I would agree, and I hadn't taken the enormously sensational nature of cannibalism into account. ;-)

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    Whoa, I can see you are really upset, but infractions, by their very definition, are not criminal offenses. They are infractions of the driving code, which is not a criminal code.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • lemmerlemmer Member Posts: 2,689
    succinctly sums up my feelings on the subject:

    Show me someone who drives slowly and I’ll show you a catastrophic bore. Someone whose life is empty, shallow and pointless. But there’s more to it than that.

    They are also deeply unpleasant. Like bell ringers, they wish to impose their beliefs and their way of life on everyone else. They are people with an antisocial personality disorder, manifested in amoral behaviour without empathy or remorse. And that’s the dictionary-definition of a psychopath.

  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    With increased use of cell phones, which decrease alertness as if one drinking alcohol, and text messaging, plugging in Ipods, etc., we have to account for lowest denominator in setting speed limits.

    I'd say that's the wrong solution for those issues. Just as it would be wrong to keep everyone from turning right-on-red because some drivers have a hard time judging whether it is safe to go.

    Similarly in the winter if I'm an experienced driver on snow and have snow-tires on my car, I do not limit my driving to someone who is not experienced and does not have snow-tires.
  • digger12digger12 Member Posts: 5
    speed limits will save gas,save lives and slow fools and morons into thinking about the three people around them as they drive down the highway.there are some out there that need to be blown off the road because of driving thats not even allowed in some other countries.even here in pa,theres accidents that really could have been avoided.
  • boaz47boaz47 Member Posts: 2,747
    Mass transit only works when the people support it and the government works to make it work. It hasn't been supported in most of our California cities and the bus routes pretty much show it. They are more for the benefit of the bus companies than for the people that have to use them. Bike racks couold make many bus routes a lot better and some busses do have them. San Diego has a pretty good system for bikes and busses.

    But like I was saying light rail would be a boon. You can stow your bike on Metro link and take it out when you get to LA. The Problem is I would have to go all the way to San Bernardino to use it. It would be great if the bus connected me but it doesn't go there from here in the early morning. But if we were willing to invest in mass transit like we did in the highway program in the 50s we could make a great impact on fuel useage in a very short period of time. But I don't believe people feel this fuel situation is real. Why make an effort to change if it is just another scam like they played on us in the 70s? I don't believe that except we are now being told that there is more oil off of the California Coast than in all of Saudi Arabia. That might not be true but it doesn't help if the pundants keep saying it and the voters keep believing it.

    Like I said I am willing to do my part as I did back in the 70s. I feel I got suckered a bit because not many of my fellow commuters seemed to follow suit and cars got bigger and faster in less than 15 years. I road motorcycles to work every day for at least 10 years. I bought a small compact truck and drove it or my VW Bug or Ghia to commute. By 1985 or at least by 1990 every other car next to me was a SUV or Full sized pickup. Like I said a new Camry is bigger than my Pontiac. It is not a Grand Am by the way, it is a Sun Bird with a 2.0.

    So what am I willing to give up or accept as a design trade off? I would give up size and weight and even engine size if I could also get mass transit. I will ride my bike to the grocery store and to do small errands to save gas. I will try to find an EV for driving around town for those times the Bike won't work. But I will keep my Tahoe to pull my trailer on Vacations , thank you very much. :P
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I think you consider the SL as some sort of moral absolute good-bad decision.

    One thing you have to remember I am not arguing for or against any SL, just discussing some of the arguments people seem to be presenting.

    The main reason I see for SL's is to 1) generate revenue for certain gov't's

    And I have said if thats the case they would be pulling over anyone doing 1 MPH over the limit. They would get a lot more bucks in the coffer.

    And I also think your grocery analogy isn't that relevant.

    It is very relevant. In the analogy someone in front of you with a full cart is going to take longer than someone with a much less in their cart, thereby slowing you down even more. Just like Golfman would be slowing down someone more than if than if they were behind someone passing faster.

    But the one thing I cannot figure out is why is it rude for me to have someone adjust their driving but not rude for that other person to have me adjust mine?

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    The only time I really come across that is when I am passing someone who is stuck in the left lane on the right. Its sort of like "I'm in the left lane how dare you pass me".

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

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