Originally Posted by pantyraider,Sep 14 2006, 04:09 PM

I dont' think I suggested anywhere that speed limits only be indexed off of current cars capability, though I wouldn't mind having increased speed limits every year. What I'm saying is that most cars out there have the capability of going 80 mph (higher than all speed limits) and be perfectly safe. The difference in performance,safety, and "controllobility" of modern cars versus cars 20 years ago is huge. I think speed limits can go up and there not be a huge increase in injuries and deaths. Have you heard of the 85th percentile speed rule? Traffic engineers would come up with speed limits based on the speed that 85% of the cars were traveling. Well, with more power and ease of driving at high speeds (going 80 but feeling like you're going 40) isn't it natural for drivers to driver faster.

Speed limits in the old days were limited by poor road and car safety. I'd argue that with todays roads, and the incredible advancement of safety features in cars, an accident at 80 mph in a modern car would be safer than an accident at 55 mph in a 1980's car. Why are speed limits set so low when the majority of cars can easily and safely travel above them? Could it be because of $$ generated from tickets?

And let me make it clear, I don't think increasing speed limits in congested areas makes much sense nor would it actually affect traffic flow, but increasing limits on rural, less traveled interstates like highway 5 I'm all for.

Originally Posted by pantyraider,Sep 14 2006, 04:34 PM

Uhh yeah, so what do you think is better to do:

1.) Make the driver's exam more diffcult, train drivers better

or

2.) Let's suffocate our interstates with cripplingly low speed limits

Dont' you think driver's education would be a better choice? Maybe you'd like it if we reduced our speed limits even more because it will be safer that way?

Let's continue to add millions of more powerful cars on the road while keeping speed limits stagnant. Hopefully at that point when we all can wave our VTEC signs to each other while moving 5 mph high speed trains will finally become a reality in America

Originally Posted by i_heart_my_DB8,Sep 15 2006, 01:04 AM

Ah. Now we're talking. How many posts did it take you to come to the conclusion that we need better driver education in this country? You just started talking about "cars" this and "capable" that. I never questioned a car's ability, I'm advocating driver improvement.

Now, until that starts happening (not that it ever will), I don't even want to comprehend the possibility of raising the speed limit for all the moronic tools I share the road with. In regards to the speed limits, once drivers start showing they can handle a 65 mph speed limit, then maybe we can talk about raising it, huh? (Gosh, I sound like a parent).

Note that not ONCE did I advocate lowering of speed limits.

So if the speed limits are staying the same, it doesn't make sense to continue to pump our everyday cars full of needless HP (yeah, I said it) that will never even be used. A 330hp hatchback like the one in this thread follows that trend, which I don't like. (Happy s2kpdx01? ) However, if it's the STi, it makes more sense. I didn't like it if it was the regular run of the mill WRX.

Originally Posted by i_heart_my_DB8,Sep 14 2006, 06:04 PM