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Old 11-22-2013, 11:46 AM   #45
LOWDOWN
Downright Upright
 
Drives: Daily
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Cruisin'...
Posts: 4,145
1) Revenue generation is not a new circumstance...or even a recently-created activity. It's been so, forever. Someone on FB recently posted a copy of a Police Dep't request for a more-powerful cruiser spec. The reason? "Increased revenue generation". The year? 1966...

2) Undisciplined Driving: As long as our culture maintains the "inalienable right" to drive in any lane at any speed chosen, that approximates the posted limit, you'll have a serious issue with significantly raised or eliminated speed limits. There are folks who think its absolutely fine to drive at, or just slightly above, the posted speed limit ON CRUISE CONTROL in the far left lane and, come Hell or high water, will STAY in the far left lane...even when there is NO ONE near them in a more right hand lane. In the middle of LA, or in the middle of Kansas, to them it doesn't matter. Flash your lights or honk your horn? Fuggetaboutit!! Pass them on the right and YOU risk a citation in many jurisdictions.

In multi-vehicle accidents involving "speed", it's NOT the higher speed that's the absolute problem (often) as much as it is the DIFFERENTIAL of speeds two vehicles many be travelling. Someone overtaking a 60 mph vehicle while going 80 better be prepared for inattentive OR busy-body OR "It's MY road" drivers to simply make a lane change, without signalling or looking or even caring what might be coming up behind them. "I'm making a lane change", whether the way is clear or not.

Proof? How many of us have had someone pull over in front of us "just because"? Because they may perceive they're doing "society" a favor by slowing that silly ba$tard coming at "1,000 mph"? [I see most people nodding...]

Now, remove the speed limit and see what happens...

If ALL traffic is moving at roughly the same speed (no lolly-gaggers, no Land Speed Record attempters), things generally flow smoothly on a clear, dry day. Change ANY of those variables, and you get variable results!
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