State Reports Show Speeding Not a Significant Cause of Accidents. Out of 2.7 million traffic accidents recorded in twenty-five states over the course of a year, only 1.6 percent were caused by drivers who exceeded the posted speed limit. So remember, speed kills….your bank account.
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Interesting, although I'm not sure what conclusions might be drawn. On the one hand, you might argue that since "speed-related" accidents are so relatively rare, it is evidence that speed limits work. I'd hate like to see what Massachusetts highways would be like with no posted speed limit to enforce.
Of course, that would be moot most of the time anyway, since most of time you're stuck bumper to bumper.
Did they EVER finish the construction on 95, or was it 93, around Boston?
That's not a job to finish, that's a legacy to the unions!
Srsly, what construction, the "Big Dig"? Yes, that's done long ago now. Just routine maintenance screwing up the roads now.
Actually, the last time I was up there was in '02, we were in Cape Cod for Thanksgiving, and took a day trip to Salem. It must have been 93 that we were on. I just figured that with my previous experience with driving in New England, that it was a better than even chance that the roads were still under construction 10 years later!
I have been pulled over 2x in the last 2 years for speeding. Not going terribly fast, but 12 over is enough to get tagged. I have found 2 things. 1 Being respectful and calm with the officer gets you similar treatment. 2 Having a current CDL gets you out of speeding tickets if you're not a jackass. Both times the cops told me that they would just give me a warning because they don't want to jeopardize my livelihood.
Funny thing is that I only kept the CDL current as a fallback in case business got so bad that I needed to go back to driving. What it cost me to keep my license current, I have saved in fines and increased insurance costs a couple of times over.
People in the fast lane going over the limit don't bother me, It's the ones weaving in and out of traffic that are morons who deserve a citation, also those (and i have seen these) Brushing their teeth, doing makeup, reading a book, watching tv, having sex, driving with their entire leg out the window, playing cards, melting heroin to put in a syringe, eating a bowl of cereal with milk, writing a check, looking at blueprints,, changing clothes..and all these on freeway usually in the fast lane... most cops will take everything into consideration, current license, insurance, registration, driving record, Warnings work with normal folks..in fact I try to leave them with a smile, sometimes I have them raise their right hand and "swear" they will not be naughty while driving again..they laugh, sometimes they want to talk which is fine, they ask questions, Any public contact that leaves you with a positive impression of law enforcement is a good thing. unfortunately our business like all others has people who think their shit don't stink and they wonder why they get complaints when they treat people like shit. The guys I supervise know what I expect, hey if you get a shithead who wants to fight, game on, but if it is a normal everyday person treat them with respect and leave them smiling. The best ones are even after getting a citation, they say thank you, and not in a nasty way. Trouble is we have lost the ability to communicate other than texting, and cops who text or make calls on the job while dealing with citizens (unless it is related to the call) usually get an ass chewing from me.
The 'funniest' ticket I ever got was from a CHP officer. I was cool and polite, he wrote me a ticket for about 10 MPH less than I was going, also cool. I signed and handed his ticket book back to him and he says "what's the matter with you anyway?" I look sheepishly and say "what do you mean?" He answered back "You're supposed to be watching out for me when you're doing shit like that!" Then gave me a huge grin. I couldn't help but laugh my ass off and say "thanks."
Now there's a guy after my own heart...but I wouldn't cite ya unless it was 20 over, otherwise A mean look usually does the job..:)
I was once written for 50 in a 35, even though the CHP officer knew I was going over 100 through a curve on my 1975 Honda CB400. After he wrote me the ticket, he asked , "off the record," how fast I was going. I admitted it, and he asked me if I would mind slowing it down a bit. He said he hated wiping guys like me off the road.
"But, officer. I could easily have taken that curve a LOT faster."
UGH! You guys on your rice rockets! Learn to relax when you ride!
These people are the worst. http://youtu.be/mHv_-q2YNFE
Someone told me years ago a NJ State Trooper stopped him for doing 85 in a 60 mph zone but didn't give him a ticket because he was in the left lane going straight and not weaving in and out. The guy said the trooper told him it was the people weaving in and out that caused the accidents. That said, I don't think you'd get that kind of forebearance today, but it's worth noting. The most dangerous thing I see on highways is when a goofball decides it's OK to doze off in the left lane at 55 and then the fast drivers lose their patience and start taking all kinds of chances trying to get around him.
I believe this. Seems like speeders are more aware of what's happening around them. Non-confident drivers are the biggest safety hazard on the road.
Along with people who don't pay attention because they're busy texting, yakking on their cell phones, putting on their makeup. And, let's not forget the good old road-ragers.
Let me correct you on the cellphone thing: statistics show that cellphone bans actually increase accident rates. If you want the truth on this issue, look at what the insurance companies say: they don't care a hoot about whether a state has cellphone restrictions.
I think the contrary accident results are because having a cellphone for a lot of people keeps them awake and alert, rather than in that long-drive-doze that turns cars into randomly-aimed bombs. Truck drivers know this - that's why they spent decades talking on the CBs.
When I recently drove across the country, my wife was constantly calling me and talking to me to make sure I wasn't drowzy. I won't be specific about what she talked about... but there are certain topics guranteed to keep a man alert.
there are certain topics guranteed to keep a man alert.
Tools, motorcycles, and cars? ;-)
Tools, yes.
Babes?
And morons - can't forget the morons - they not only vote, they also DRIVE.
ALso: remember when 55 mph was the national norm? That had nothing to do with safety if I recall correctly...