Lower the speed limit to 55

[NeilV]

Originally posted by RVThere:
Geez, am I the only one who knows that my Workhorse chassis had a governor at 80mph? And that my Freightliner doesn't?

I agree with the school of thought that you drive the same speed as the rest of traffic. If everyone's cruisin' at 70, so am I. If everyone's doing 45, I'm also doing 45 even if the speed limit is 75.

Tires are also a governing factor. Many RV tires have a max safe speed of 75 while others have a max safe speed of 65. If you don't know what is the max safe speed of your tires then you have to go with 65 to play it safe for yourself and all those around you.

Even if everyone else is jumping off a cliff driving beyound the max safe speed of their tires it does not mean that you or I should or have to do the same.

Your Workhorse was governed 5 to 15 mph beyound the max safe speed of RV tires while the Frieghtliner gives you plenty of rope to hang yourself (and those nearby you) with no limiter.

No matter what our personal preference we have the responsibility to be safe drivers.

Remember that driving is a privledge that one has to prove they are qualified to receive and maintain, not a right.

Play it safe.

[randco]

Originally posted by robert h:
I:m just kidding here but they tell me they go 120 MPH on the autobaun in Germany; I wonder what its like to drive one of these suckers 120 MPH. -----man what a rush that would be.

I have driven the Autobahn in Germany. It's a great experience. The recommended speed of the German autobahn is 130 km/h (81 mph), but there is no general speed limit except for the restrictions put on certain vehicles like trucks weighing more than 7,000 pounds and cars pulling trailers. Their maximum speed is 80 mn/h (49.7 mph). In places without a general speed limit, there are mostly no restrictions on passing except a general rule that requires drivers to use the right lane if possible and only pass other cars on their left, except when heavy traffic does not permit. Each lane of traffic from right to left get progressively faster. We must remember that a country such as Germany is about the same size as the state of Wyoming. Getting around is much faster.

On one of my business trips my rental car was a 5 speed stick shift black Mercedes. I remember on one trip I pulled into the left lane to pass someone in the center lane. I sped up and I was driving at 160 km/h (100 mph) to make my pass in the left lane. I glanced into the rear view mirrors and I saw blinking headlights in the distance behind me. I made my pass and still noticed the blinking lights behind me as I moved back into the center lane. Shortly after I changed lanes a Jaguar and about six other cars hooked up like a freight train passed me like I was standing still. They were blinking their lights telling me and others that they were hauling butt so get out of the way or don't pull out unless you are willing to travel at the speed they were traveling. Driving in the left lane on the Autobahn is fun but you need to watch your rear view mirror almost as much as you are watching the road in front of you.

Boy, did I have some fun driving in Germany and The Netherlands.

[TW]

I have a hard time getting told ALL THE TIME what speed to drive... I do it on my own.....
go with the flow...
Autobahn driving is a very safe way to get from point A to B.... cars are built for speed and they know how to drive at high speeds. Germany has the right lane or right side driving law... right lane or right side. Passing is only on the left ... Blinking (High Beam) is not allowed anymore (law was passed in the 80's or 90's). From all the accidents only 3% happen on the Autobahn...... German police have special Porsches, so - they can catch the Ferraris!!!!!!
Now a days only 30 % of all Autobahn Kilometers are at unlimited speed..... The Autobahn has many sections, that can be converted into military landing strips (emergency / war airports).
Safe cruising speed is about 100 mph (160 kmh)
Hope Santa is faster tomorrow morning?

MERRY CHRISTMAS
TW

[melvonnar]

Safe cruising speed is about 100 mph (160 kmh)

wow----now I know I"m gettig old

[TW]

on the Autobahn... not in North America!!!!

[cb5300]

Originally posted by TW:
on the Autobahn... not in North America!!!!

You must not be driving on Fla. interstates. They act like it's an American autoban.

[TW]

when in Germany I drive like the Germans.... FAST, around 100 mph or if the rental is a BMW 250 kmh (it's limited to 250), MB a little faster, AUDI even faster... Love the high speed. You can even pass a Police Car.
in Florida like a Tourist... always looking for the next Alligator!!!!!

[lawdude]

Please don't tell me what speed to drive. Please don't tell me that after 2011, I must use only mercury laden CFL bulbs instead of incandescent (law alrready passed). Please don't tell me I have to pay a substantial increase in taxes to pay the retirement contract for UAW workers when I never had the opportunity to vote on the contract. (But I must).


PLEASE, get out of MY FACE.

/rant]

[randco]

Originally posted by TW:
I have a hard time getting told ALL THE TIME what speed to drive... I do it on my own.....
go with the flow...
Autobahn driving is a very safe way to get from point A to B.... cars are built for speed and they know how to drive at high speeds. Germany has the right lane or right side driving law... right lane or right side. Passing is only on the left ... Blinking (High Beam) is not allowed anymore (law was passed in the 80's or 90's). From all the accidents only 3% happen on the Autobahn...... German police have special Porsches, so - they can catch the Ferraris!!!!!!
Now a days only 30 % of all Autobahn Kilometers are at unlimited speed..... The Autobahn has many sections, that can be converted into military landing strips (emergency / war airports).
Safe cruising speed is about 100 mph (160 kmh)
Hope Santa is faster tomorrow morning?

MERRY CHRISTMAS
TW

I guess the high beam blinking restriction must have started somewhere in the mid to late 90's.

If we had the right lane or right side driving law we would probably have fewer accidents.

When I learned to drive in the mid 1960's the Interstate system had not been built in my area. We could only follow someone and pass on the left only when there was a passing lane.

Just recently I was driving on a State two lane highway. I got passed by someone using a left turn lane as a passing lane.

Gotta wonder sometimes...

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas.

[melvonnar]

You must not be driving on Fla. interstates. They act like it's an American autoban

Not only do the nit wits here in Florida drive like they have a death wish; the following is the way they think;
I was watching the news the other day and a local TV station had a teenager on there news channel to answer a few driving questions;
One question asked was---thaveling at 60 MPH what would be the safe distance to follow the car in front of you? this teenager said 5 feet would be a safe distance; all his friends agreed. with thinking like this, is no wonder the accident rate is so high in Florida. ( by the way I live in Florida)

[Don (W5IT)]

Geez, am I the only one who knows that my Workhorse chassis had a governor at 80mph? And that my Freightliner doesn't?

The mechanical governor on a 1997 45 ft Prevost Royale conversion with the 8V92 Detroit kicks in at 97 MPH.

[historyljc]

One question asked was---thaveling at 60 MPH what would be the safe distance to follow the car in front of you? this teenager said 5 feet would be a safe distance; all his friends agreed. with thinking like this, is no wonder the accident rate is so high in Florida. ( by the way I live in Florida)

This worries me more than just speed. Also they're usually the ones going at a high rate through traffic like a dodge ball. A wreck looking for a place to happen.

[MtManLee]

I have tried every speed from 50 to 75 and best gas mileage is at 59 to 61. I loose one mile per gallon at 55 and it increases with lower speeds and the same going up from 61. Worst was at 75.

[GRV]

It was a sad day in Florida when the then Governor, Jeb Bush Vetoed the "left lane for passing" Bill. It was supported by all law inforcement agencies: Florida Highway patrol, Florida Sheriffs association, and the Police Chiefs' Association, as a way to control road rage. It was opposed by AAA(American Automobile Association) because it would have forced slow drivers into the right lane and the old fogies did not like that. A safe speed is determined by; the drivers ability, road conditions, traffic conditions and The vehicle size, weight, mechanical condition, Weather conditions and many other circumstances that experienced driver take into account while behind the wheel.