# Driving the speed limit or less is fun! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 21, 2022, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327 "2022-07-21T14:46:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/21 "2022-07-21T17:16:03Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > You want and need a skilled politician on your side. Hehe, look what USPS Informed Delivery tells me my gf is receiving today! [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/GoRLyqA.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/GoRLyqA) ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/22 "2022-07-21T19:26:59Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > The past few years there have been more and more coal trucks on this road. People hate the coal trucks; they are loud, spew fumes, and tend to fly up behind you. How is this different than traffic anywhere else? Seriously, if you can’t handle the traffic on the road maybe you need to find a different route. You say yourself they don’t break any laws that you didn’t break before. Passive/aggressive shit like this is a danger on roads. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/23 "2022-07-21T19:30:17Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > How is this different than traffic anywhere else? Heh, before the coal trucks I often drove on the 1/2 mile of that road I use without seeing another vehicle. Now I sit and wait for some trucks to go by before I pull out. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/24 "2022-07-21T19:31:07Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > Passive/aggressive shit like this is a danger on roads. How is obeying posted speed limits passive/aggressive? ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/25 "2022-07-21T19:38:23Z")
Because of why you are doing it. It’s not your personal road and you are not in charge of traffic on it. Driving at the speed limit just to annoy other drivers when you never drove the speed limit before is passive/aggressive. Public roads are not the place for your personal peeves to be played out. ---
**Author:** ![KMS94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ad7895/32.png) [@KMS94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KMS94)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/26 "2022-07-21T19:40:06Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I am remind of the quote from a very old book on the law that described politics as “the art of having a dead horse removed from the street in front of a saloon.” You want and need a skilled politician on your side. When I was a police officer, I once got a call from a homeowner who had called the police because he had a dead animal (raccoon, I think) on his front lawn. I politely explained that the town’s public works people don’t collect animal carcasses from private property, but they will pick up roadkill from the street. He was not happy with my answer. He wanted to know what he was supposed to do with it. I repeated what I told him the first time, only a bit slower, with more emphasis on the second part. It took a third time, talking very slowly and clearly about the roadkill part, before he finally started picking up what I was laying down. Like a light bulb went off, he goes “Ahhhhhhh, OK, well, thank you.” About 10 minutes later, I got a report of a dead animal in the road (at the same address) from dispatch (the same dispatcher he had talked to the first time he called 😁) “10-4, notify public works for cleanup please” 🤪 ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/27 "2022-07-21T19:51:04Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > > [@mordecaiB](#): > > > > Passive/aggressive shit like this is a danger on roads. > > How is obeying posted speed limits passive/aggressive? You said you were driving below it. 10mph below a 45 is more than 20%. Know what else is fun? Issuing cites for impeding traffic. How about taking the advice others gave and find a better solution. If the town can’t handle it what about the county Sheriff? Or the state police/highway patrol? Ghostbusters? Or write RIF. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/28 "2022-07-21T19:58:55Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > You said you were driving below it. 10mph below a 45 is more than 20%. Know what else is fun? Issuing cites for impeding traffic. > > How about taking the advice others gave and find a better solution. If the town can’t handle it what about the county Sheriff? Or the state police/highway patrol? Ghostbusters? Or write RIF. On one hand, I agree that driving more than 20% below the posted speed limit is asking for trouble. Not necessarily from the police (with one full-time officer in the town, I doubt an impeding-traffic ticket is a major concern), but from a 40-ton coal truck that can’t slow down in time. On the other hand, I’m a little flabbergasted at the apparent blase attitude by some posters in this thread. “Oh, coal trucks are speeding through your town at roughly 50% of the posted limit? Well, just get used to it.” ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/29 "2022-07-21T19:59:04Z")
“Fun” isn’t the goal. I get a good feeling from driving at the speed limit, because it feels right. I don’t understand why 9 out of 10 drivers have a habit of speeding all the time. I’m careful not to be a jerk on the road. I operate safely, responsibly, and courteously. One thing I will not compromise on: keeping to the speed limit. I stay in the rightmost travel lane. If anyone tailgates me in the rightmost lane, they’re the asshole, not me. Also important: I never go under the speed limit either. I simply keep to the posted speed limit. So simple. Can’t go wrong that way. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/30 "2022-07-21T19:59:33Z")
Sounds like your coal trucks are the logging trucks and oversize lifted pickups around these parts. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/31 "2022-07-21T20:07:10Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > How about taking the advice others gave and find a better solution. I have no problem with the coal trucks, so there’s no solution for me to find. I’m just hoping on the bandwagon, driving with the flow of traffic. This reminds me of the truckers who protested the 55 mph limit by driving 55, blocking highways. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/32 "2022-07-21T20:09:33Z")
> [@Sauron](#): > > Not necessarily from the police (with one full-time officer in the town, I doubt an impeding-traffic ticket is a major concern), but from a 40-ton coal truck that can’t slow down in time. Yeah, the local police will not be bothering anyone going 35-45. The coal truck that can’t slow down (to the speed limit) is flying. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/33 "2022-07-21T20:25:25Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > I don’t understand why 9 out of 10 drivers have a habit of speeding all the time. Because in a lot of areas the limits aren’t set to the 85th percentile like they are supposed to be. Now days this is more true on city streets and country roads than it is on the interstate, but during the ridiculous national speed limit era it included freeways. It’s also one reason why in many locales the enforcers are generous in their tolerances over said limits. I have several streets and roads in my jurisdiction that are posted at 25 when they could safely be posted at 35, 40, and one even at 45. We have one road, a 4 lane divided street, that was posted at a measly 25. The state DOT determined it could be raised to 40. The city raised it to 30. And of course, some people speed because they are dicks. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/34 "2022-07-21T20:28:07Z")
Driving intentionally slow in front of a giant truck to ‘teach them a lesson’ is dangerous and stupid. If I were a cop and saw someone doing that repeatedly, I’d cite them for impeding traffic and perhaps dangerous driving if they were cutting in front of trucks and then slowing down. You can search youtube and find lots of accident videos caused by exactly that kind if stunt. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/35 "2022-07-21T20:36:11Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > If the town can’t handle it what about the county Sheriff? Or the state police/highway patrol? No shit. I can’t believe that someone in a rural area doesn’t know traffic is a sheriff or state patrol problem. > [@Sauron](#): > > “Oh, coal trucks are speeding through your town at roughly 50% of the posted limit? Well, just get used to it.” That’s because the people bitching used to do the exact same thing. They were used to speeding traffic. > [@kayaker](#): > > I’m just hoping on the bandwagon, driving with the flow of traffic. That’s not at all what you said originally. > [@kayaker](#): > > This reminds me of the truckers who protested the 55 mph limit by driving 55, blocking highways. Yep, and people thought they were asses, do you remember that part? > [@kayaker](#): > > The coal truck that can’t slow down (to the speed limit) is flying. Like all of you were doing for years before? If you can’t handle the traffic on the road it’s up to you to find an alternate route. Purposely blocking traffic on a public road is dangerous. > [@pkbites](#): > > We have one road, a 4 lane divided street, that was posted at a measly 25. The state DOT determined it could be raised to 40. The city raised it to 30. I’ve seen that before. The city pays someone $$$$$$ to do a traffic survey and then just ignore the results. There is a lot of NIMBY stuff involved in this, as the OP demonstrates. > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Driving intentionally slow in front of a giant truck to ‘teach them a lesson’ is dangerous and stupid. It’s such a simple thing, you’d think people would understand it just from experience rather then needing it pointed out to them. I don’t think it’s unique to the US, but we seem to have more than our share of people that think public roads are there for their personal use and to hell with everyone else. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/36 "2022-07-21T20:37:45Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > if they were cutting in front of trucks and then slowing down. Nobody is cutting in front and slowing down. This road is one lane going north, one lane going south. People driving 45 are maintaining that speed when a truck going 65 flies up behind them. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/37 "2022-07-21T20:40:36Z")
We live not far from Emporia, Virginia. Its speed traps are so notorious that they’re mentioned on its Wikipedia page. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/38 "2022-07-21T20:40:47Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > Like all of you were doing for years before? If you can’t handle the traffic on the road it’s up to you to find an alternate route. Purposely blocking traffic on a public road is dangerous. Yep, that’s right. I always did at least 55 on the road, dropping down to 45 when I go through the VASCAR spot. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/39 "2022-07-21T20:46:44Z")
> [@Worst nightmare you've ever had?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-nightmare-youve-ever-had/96832/35): > > > [@pkbites](#): > > > > We have one road, a 4 lane divided street, that was posted at a measly 25. The state DOT determined it could be raised to 40. The city raised it to 30. > > I’ve seen that before. The city pays someone $$$$$$ to do a traffic survey and then just ignore the results. City, schmitty, grandmas titty. The city didn’t order that study. A ton of residents complained to the DOT how ridiculous it was to have a wide, 4 lane divided road posted at only 25. Especially since traffic is very light on that street. Then when the DOT said it could be raised to 40 the city raised it a meager 5 to 30. Ridiculous. I rarely set up on that street unless I notice there are a lot of people at a nearby park. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327/40 "2022-07-21T20:59:57Z")
> [@](#): > > …we seem to have more than our share of people that think public roads are there for their personal use and to hell with everyone else. Yeah, like idiots driving 40-ton coal trucks through the main street of a small town at 65 miles an hour. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-the-speed-limit-or-less-is-fun/968327.md?page=3)