# Why are fast cars legal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 22, 2001, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262 "2001-01-22T15:00:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2001, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/21 "2001-01-22T22:23:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by minty green \* > **BTW, I remember when my dad came back from a trip to Saudi Arabia, he had some videotape from a car trip through the desert. I asked him what that damned incessant dinging sound was. His explanation was that cars in Saudi Arabia had to be equipped with a warning bell that goes off when the car exceeds 100 km/h. Cars could go faster, but the price you had to pay was a neverending bell tone.** Hmmm… some of the small cars (“Chevys” in particular) in Mexico do this binging bell thing right at 100KM/h. I wonder if it was an Arab model, since some of the rental Malibus I used at the time had Arabic on the passenger rear-view mirror (I assume it meant objects are closer than they look). FWIW, Malibus DO HAVE a chip that limits them to 180KM/h, and Suburbans are limited to 200KM/h, at least in Mexico. This I know from personal experience and daily driving 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2001, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/22 "2001-01-22T22:38:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Padeye \* > \*\*The basic question shows a misunderstanding of the US legal system. Few things are intrinsically illegal. Murder would not be a crime if a state legislature hadn’t passed a homicide law. Something is only illegal if a law is passed making it so. Fast cars are legal because no one has passed a law making it otherwise. \*\* And since the automotive industry is a multibillion dollar one, don’t think that they’ll let any regulatory action go by without a hell of a fight (the fastest cars generally cost the most). And, that being said, I’d say there are damn few legislators that will ever see it as a fight worth fighting. Just my two cents. ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2001, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/23 "2001-01-22T22:39:06Z")
The speed limit on I-90 in Washington is 70 mph most of the way… but a car that’s limited to 70 would get in the way, since most drivers are going 75 to 85. ---
**Author:** ![TwoBuyFour](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/76d3ee/32.png) [@TwoBuyFour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoBuyFour)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2001, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/24 "2001-01-22T23:09:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SuaSponte \* > \*\*Safety. > > Let’s say there still was a national speed limit, and cars had governors limiting them to that speed. > You’re driving on the interstate at the maximum the governor will allow you, when the car in the left lane next to you inexplicably starts to drift into you. You wouldn’t be able to accelerate away to avoid the accident. > I’m sure numerous other situations exist where the ability to go faster than the speed limit be necessary to avoid accidents. > > Sua \*\* My apologies, Sua, but this is a load of hooey. If one is driving at the maximum speed their car will go, with or without a governor, this scenario can take place. I understand the need to accelerate out of a potential collision, and have done so numerous times, but this rarely occurs at 100 MPH. If it’s safety you’re worried about, then one shouldn’t be driving that fast in the first place, let alone dropping it in to 4th and jumping up to 125 to avoid a collision at 100. Padeye, thanks for clarifying the weapon supposition. But if weapons can be regulated and taxed in excess because they are assumed to be more dangerous than a normal rifle or handgun, why not cars that are significantly faster than the norm? Their taxes could help offset the costs of something for the masses. So why don’t vehicles that travel faster than 100 MPH be put in the same category as automatic weapons and be used without the governor only on private tracks. Special taxes and licensing fees could be applied just like they are for weapons. If the owner of a car wants to take it out of the country, the governor could be turned off. I know that most newer cars have a governor on them at some speed, even if it’s a high one. My Yukon cuts off at about 105 MPH. But my assumption is that this is because the rest of the truck isn’t safe at higher speeds, even though the engine could keep pushing it up there, rather than because GM has been mandated to have their vehicles average a certain top speed or anything. If Corvettes are outlawed, only outlaws will have Corvettes. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2001, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/25 "2001-01-22T23:54:03Z")
My BMW has a speed limiter just as you describe that stops me from going faster than 120 miles per hour. I have had it kick in a few times when I was late for work. How frustrating! ---
**Author:** ![barking\_frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@barking\_frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barking_frog)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/26 "2001-01-23T00:06:08Z")
I’m pretty disappointed with all the extremelly obvious comments such as “… they’re legal because they haven’t been made illegal” and because of capitalistic reasons; it wouldn’t be an issue if all cars are limited in this manner. However, I think starfish and Sua (in a sense) summed it up. For safety reasons, as Sua said, short bursts of acceleration are needed to change from cruising speed (however, having to accelerate _more_ at 100mph is quite different…) which would have to make it so that the limit is around 110mph (or have some chips that allow short bursts of speed around that speed - which would be too troublesome) in which case someone could still be doing 110 in a 50 zone, as starfish said. Also most people (I would imagine) don’t cruise along at 120mph which would therefor only prevent speeding past this point for only a few people, even then, they would probably only be doing it on a highway further limiting the usefulness - basically, it’s not worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Gunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gunslinger)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/27 "2001-01-23T00:26:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr2001 \* > \*\*The speed limit on I-90 in Washington is 70 mph most of the way… but a car that’s limited to 70 would get in the way, since most drivers are going 75 to 85. \*\* Same on the interstates here in Texas. On the way home from school today (rural hiway, but still 4 lanes + grassy median, and in a straight line for _miles_; speed limit 65), I was doing 90, and people were passing me. Gotta love the '71 Nova sedan…same engine as the musclecar 2-door Nova, but nobody suspects a 4-door (especially not a refrigerator beige 4-door)…😃 The speedometer on it goes up to 120, and it’ll bend the needle against the peg. Don’t ask how I know (wink,wink,nudge,nudge). ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/28 "2001-01-23T00:32:00Z")
Gunslinger, reminds me of IMHO when they asked people what’s the fastest they have driven. Sigh. ---
**Author:** ![SuaSponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/29 "2001-01-23T00:36:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TwoBuyFour \* > My apologies, Sua, but this is a load of hooey. If one is driving at the maximum speed their car will go, with or without a governor, this scenario can take place. I understand the need to accelerate out of a potential collision, and have done so numerous times, but this rarely occurs at 100 MPH. If it’s safety you’re worried about, then one shouldn’t be driving that fast in the first place, let alone dropping it in to 4th and jumping up to 125 to avoid a collision at 100. I was assuming the 65 mph figure the OP stated. If the speed limit was 65, and the governor was the same, I think it’s a very safe bet that that, traffic allowing, most everyone would be going at the maximum the governor would allow. Under those conditions, the lack of ability to accelerate out of danger would be a real consideration. Sua ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/30 "2001-01-23T00:38:19Z")
Well, I think it’s all about going fast. Really, going fast, and making money. See, there are cars sold right now that can go 200 MPH in the right conditions, and they proudly say so… but when they are sold, you don’t sign anything saying you won’t go fast. Americans at least, and most other folks from what I’ve seen, like to drive fast. And as soon as a regulator of chip is come up with to make it difficult to do, the aftermarket businesses will come up with ways to go around it… just like they have with CARB restrictions and “Smog legal” parts out here in Cali. [hijack] Hey, Gunslinger… we raced an old skool Nova right after my friend got his 2000 Civic Si. Pulled up to the light, revved, he revved… the light went green, we dropped it, he dropped it… I looked over, and we were hanging!!! That’s right, dead even with this monstrous old primered Muscle car!!! Yes!! And right when I looked over, the driver grinned, waved, and REALLY stepped on it… However, now we smack 5.0’s on a regular basis… someday, I’ll get a license of my own… [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/31 "2001-01-23T00:49:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ian Fan \* > \*\*I’m pretty disappointed with all the extremelly obvious comments such as “… they’re legal because they haven’t been made illegal” \*\* I’m not. For purposes of General Questions, the answer to a question of “why isn’t something illegal” is “because no legislature has made it so.” Everything else is background. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/32 "2001-01-23T01:22:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TwoBuyFour \* > \*\*Why are automobiles than can drive faster than 65 MPH allowed to be built and sold, leaving it to the owners’ discretion whether they obey the law or not? > \*\* #1) Performance: A car that can reach 180 mph can generally go from 0-60 in no time flat. #2) You can drive faster than 65 all over the country. It’s only a 10 minute drive from where I live to a long stretch of 75 mph highway. That limit may go up further. Then what happens to all the poor SOBs who’s cars only go 65 when the speed limit is 85? #3) There’s a demand for it. People like speed. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Fletch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/919ad9/32.png) [@Fletch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fletch)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/33 "2001-01-23T01:51:48Z")
Fast cars are legal because the public is tired of excessive governmental regulations and meddling. ---
**Author:** ![starfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@starfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/starfish)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/34 "2001-01-23T02:11:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by minty green \* > > So there’s some sort of constitutional limitation on the power of Congress to regulate driving speeds on private property? Not likely. If Congress wished, it could mandate governors on every car, with no on/off switch possible. > \*\* The OP was asking why car are made that can go much faster then the speed limit. It did not ask why there are no speed limits on private property. I answered the question that was asked. ---
**Author:** ![minty\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/35 "2001-01-23T02:33:32Z")
I disagree, starfish. The OP asked: > [@](#): > > Why are automobiles than can drive faster than 65 MPH **allowed** to be built and sold, leaving it to the owners’ discretion whether they obey the law or not? (emphasis added) As manny pointed out, the proper GQ answer is that they can be built because no legislature has made it illegal. Your post seemed to state that cars _must_ be made with either no speed governors or governors with on/off switches _because_ they can be driven on private property and/or race tracks. My reply was to the effect that this fact has no bearing on the _legality_ of manufacturing automobiles without governors. And it still doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/36 "2001-01-23T02:59:27Z")
The answer to the question is of course one word: **Autobahn**. Speed limits differ between countries, or can be non-existant. And even a driver who obeys the speed limit might **need** the extra speed sometimes. Rushing an injured person to the hospital: would you stop at 100 km/h? I wouldn’t. Of course, there’s such a thing as overkill. It’s great that my car can do 170 km/h should I need it, but who needs 300+ km/h top speeds that Ferraris offer? The answer is again simple: **those who love speed, and the cars that are the personifications of speed**. German carmanufacturers (Audi, BMW, Mercedes, but NOT Porsche) have agreed upon a limited top speed of 250 km/h for their cars. It’s a safety issue, like the motorbike example **casdave** supplied. There’s really no justification for 300 km/h, even on the _Autobahn_. _(Which is not to say it doesn’t happen, and which is not to say I wouldn’t cream my pants should I ever have the opportunity to make a **360 Modena** scream at 290 km/h. Oh yes, oh MAN.)_ ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/37 "2001-01-23T05:20:12Z")
“The Sky is NOT the limit, 75 is.” The “no speed limit” policy in Montana has been superceded by a new law for over a year now (May 28, 1999). Under the new law, the maximum speed under any conditions is 75 miles per hour, on interstate highways. Please read the [Montana Highway Patrol](http://www.doj.state.mt.us/mhp/MHP_FAQ.htm#speed)’s FAQ sheet for more information. I’d hate for anyone to get a ticket for speeding/reckless driving due to having read erroneous information here, especially in GQ. ---
**Author:** ![Gunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gunslinger)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/38 "2001-01-23T05:22:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TwoBuyFour \* > \*\*My Yukon cuts off at about 105 MPH. But my assumption is that this is because the rest of the truck isn’t safe at higher speeds, > \*\* Tires, most likely. There aren’t all that many Z-rated (or whatever the 100+ mph rating is these days) truck tires on the market, and definitely not the ones that came on it. You’d want the cutout to be before the tires go… FWIW, Camaros **are** governed…to 145 mph. [sub]Another good thing about my 30 year old car…it’ll keep accelerating until the pistons literally fall apart…[/sub] **Tristan** : I wish my mom had kept _her_ Nova…a '73 2-door 350 **S** uper **S** port 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2001, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/39 "2001-01-23T05:38:59Z")
Mmmmmmm… sounds like a sweet car, Gunslinger… I love Nova’s, always have. So do we declare a truce? I admit to harbering a grudge for a while on our disagreement on cars… I’m a schmuck, I admit it… Back to the OP… It’s also interesting to note that there are American car companies selling cars in Europe that they won’t sell here… I don’t remember the name right now, but I know Ford sells a sports car that is faster than the Mustang, that they won’t sell here to keep the Mustang as the Flagship of American Muscle (at least from a Ford POV… hehe)… So what’s the deal? Are we being cheated out of speed for economic purposes? ba ---
**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:** [January 23, 2001, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262/40 "2001-01-23T05:40:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TwoBuyFour \* > \*\*If a person buys a fully automatic weapon, it’s illegal for them use it in self defense… > \*\* Bullshit! I have a class 3 (that’s full auto to you) rifle. It’s stored at my shop, but I most certainly could use it for self defense. And having a machine gun is legal if you get a class 3 license. Getting a class 3 license isn’t as difficult as you would think! I’m bored with the ignorance so many people exhibit when it comes to fully automatic weapons! Here are the facts: \*Machine guns are NOT banned per federal law \*Machine guns are legal to posses in most states. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-fast-cars-legal/51262.md?page=3)