The “Water Cooler” is a feature on Claycord.com where we ask you a question or provide a topic, and you talk about it.
The “Water Cooler” will be up Monday-Friday at noon.
Today’s question:
QUESTION: Do you agree that 25MPH is a good speed limit for a residential area, or would you raise/lower it if you had the ultimate control? Same thing with freeways, would you raise or lower the speed limit(s) on freeways?
Talk about it….
25 mph is fine for residential areas.
For freeways 65 is good.
Secret on freeway is to let speeding idiots pass in left lanes to plow the road ahead. You’ll pass them while CHP is writing their ticket.
Does this method work ? ? ?
Well, my last moving violation was in 1975.
@ OG – That’s the method I’ve always used. I call them “trailblazers”
I let them take the point & then all I have to do is check the rear view mirror now & then.
i’ll never understand people who get in the fast lane just to drive the speed limit.
this lane is for CRIME
.
Thisbis an uninformed watercooler question.
What is considered a “residential” area?
.
Roadways are classified by cross section design, purpose, and type (local, feeder, collector, minor collector, arterial, etc.) and take into account grades and curvatures.
.
A speed limit may be appropriate in one location but not in others. There is no “right” answer. It depends!
If it is a “residential” area without sidewalks I say drop the speed to 15.
Idiots Everywhere
In NV we have flashing yellow lights by schools that tell people to reduce speed to 15 and…..here is the shocking thing…people comply as there are police hiding and it’s a $250 ticket if you are caught violating the limit.
The speed limit in most towns and cities seems pretty good to me, and 25 is a good speed limit for residential, especially when kids are out playing. Cars today are designed and built better than older cars, and can handle higher speeds on the freeways. Portions of some freeways, such as I-80 and I-5, and several freeways in So Cal could be raised to 85. The speed limit for trucks with three or more axles should be raised to 65.
In the 1970s, before the federal government lowered the maximum speed limit in all 50 states to 55, some states didn’t have a maximum speed limit on their highways. I can remember driving across the Nevada desert on I-80 going over 90 MPH, sometimes hitting 100 and 110. That was fun!
Of course, in those days, there was a lot less traffic in Nevada, in fact, there wasn’t any traffic at all.
You beat me – mine was in 1976!
Each person should have his own speed limit.
Your speed cannot exceed your age.
When you’re 65, you get to drive 65!
Speed limits are fine – the problem are those drivers that way excessively exceed the speed limit – but also those that drive too slow. If you can’t drive the speed limit safely, you shouldn’t be driving.
I think 25 is appropriate for most residential areas, though 20 would be more appropriate where the streets are narrow and/or there are poor sight lines. For freeways in urban areas, such as I-680 from Concord to San Jose, 65 seems appropriate. Outside of urban areas, speed limits should be higher, something like 90. I would prefer no speed limits (or “safe and prudent”) on non-urban freeways, but there are too many people who lack the skills and/or judgement for no speed limits. Back when there were no speed limits in Nevada I averaged 111 for an hour one time, doing 120 for part of it. Another time I averaged 100 for 4 hours, and that included a gas stop and slow-downs for a few small towns. Of course my car was in great shape (including the tires of course) and was equipped with a roll bar and 4 point seat belt (3″ wide) and shoulder harness with a single point release. We also need stricter licensing requirements; the current system is a (bad) joke and allows too many people to drive that don’t have the skills to do so; they can operate a transportation appliance, but can’t drive a car. It should be a requirement to demonstrate car control on a wet surface, to include skid correction. A highway test should be included, including merging onto the freeway during heavy traffic.
The speed limits are fine as they are, I can live within my means on them.
I’m not a speeder by trade, but once in a while, on the freeway, I’ll just go with the flow of traffic if it’s fast. Whoo-hoo!
There’s no need to change the speed limits. The problem is inadequate enforcement of the speed limits we have. Highway 4 from 680 into Antioch is a well-known raceway. More enforcement ought to get the top speeds down to 80 mph or so.
Speed limits are too high. I’d drop everything by at least 5mph, but especially in residential areas. I’d actually bike on San Miguel in Walnut Creek if the cars did 20 vs. their normal 35.
There isn’t adequate room to safely bicycle on San Miguel. The cyclist will be just as dead at 20 or 35 (you’re being too generous that street rolls way past 40 in spots) when a Tesla tosses you up onto the hood.
I applaud your bravery, but in this case you are being far too trusting. Remember, a drivers license is way too easy to get. Further, people no longer stop at the scene of an accident, which means the next Tesla will likely run over you finishing the job of the first. No open casket for you.
This will be a long term corrected problem. As the sale of ICE cars will be illegal in 2035 (or so), no way enough charging capacity will be available, particularly in larger cities (no space for charging stations, let alone inability to generate enough power), our wise legislators will just try to outlaw personal automobiles. The only individuals allowed will be city leaders and their “associates.” We may not be around at that time, but our kids/grandkids will. Speed limits won’t matter.
It doesn’t matter what the speed limits are in California, people drive as fast as they want and blow through stop signs and lights because “it’s an all about me” atmosphere.
My last moving violation, one of only two in my lifetime, was 1968.
I say residential limits need to be lowered to.protect people’s pets that may wander into the street. If you’ve ever seen a cat chase a squirrel headlong and full speed into the street, you know what I mean.
The speeds posted now are good.
It’s the people who refuse to follow the speed laws that are the real problem.
Irresponsible people beget irresponsible leadership.
Irresponsible people are the bane of a modern society.
Raise or Lower? Are you kidding? There are no speed limits and no traffic laws, period. The police are too busy and overwhelmed chasing the criminals that are running wild in once safe communities(thanks to the corrupt liberal democrat government officials and their morally vacant supporters).
If I pay the HOV bribe, I should be able to drive as fast as I want in that lane. Because damnit, I paid the bribe in advance! Generally, speed limits are fine. Them damn Prius owners just need to respect the sign that say “Slower Traffic Keep Right”. I don’t know why Californians can’t comprehend the meaning of that sign and assumes the speed limit is “fast enough”. Move B, get out the way! – Ludacris