this post was submitted on 16 Apr 2024
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So many people seriously supporting breaking speed limits is insane.
Guys, these rules are there for a very good reason, and this reason is spilled in blood all over the roads.
No, you're not "competent enough" to break those limits. You're overstimating yourself, and this is a fallacy many people have. And every day some of those overconfident people get straight to the grave, taking normal people with them.
I always thought it was safer to drive at a similar speed to those around you. If everyone is going 73 in a 65, is it really safer to be going 65?
It's safest for all to go 65.
And if they all go 73 where the limit is 65, it's still their bad - we shouldn't move the blame on drivers doing what they should and driving by limits.
Adjusting to people going 73 is supporting unsafe driving practices for the sake of immediate gain.
If anything, I support any programs that encourage installs of speed cameras and enforcing stricter rules to force everyone to go 65 and not a mile more, unless overtaking. But until then, any accidents involving such speed differences are to blame on the speeders, and not the other way around.
I'm afraid I can't control the actions of others, but what can I do to be safer myself?
Advocate for speed camera installation, and if you have programs that allow you to install your own speed cam, go for it.
No I mean like while driving. Is it safer for me to drive at normal speed (the flow of traffic), or to drive exactly the speed limit.
Technically, with the speed of traffic. But you're also technically safer driving a big ass truck, for example. It's the same fallacy.
Personally, you are safer driving with the traffic. Collectively, it is better to follow speed limits.
Personally, you're safer driving a giant truck. Collectively, they lead to much more lethal outcomes for pedestrians/cyclists/everyone else.
Any attempts at blaming those going by the limit are picking the wrong people to blame and shifting public opinion towards practices that are bad for road safety. We should all drive by the limit, not all drive above it. That's the safest way.
And if someone driving by the limit is causing inconvenience to speeders, yes, the speeders are to blame. It is them who sacrifice the safety of us all to get to their destination 12% faster.
Do increased speed limits and better infrastructure go in as well? The reason people speed is generally because the limits don't match the road and cars of today's day and age.
Speed limits did increase with the evolution of cars: https://blog.americansafetycouncil.com/the-history-of-speed-limits-in-america/
It's just that your car's brakes are not the only factor at play here. So is your reaction time, unexpected conditions, and more. At elevated speeds, you may be unable to properly monitor the conditions on the road and react in unexpected situations in due time. Driving a straight road can make a driver overconfident, by it takes one wild deer or one accident in front of you to quickly come back to reality that you don't have it all controlled.