When you drive on the Interstate...?

[kentuck]

..do you look down at your speedometer to make sure you are not breaking the speed limit? Do you then look to see if a cop is looking for lawbreakers?

Are you always aware of your speed when you are driving? Do you feel like you are driving at unsafe speeds? Why are you so conscious of that? The laws are the laws, are they not? Everyone must obey? Don't you agree?

Or is this just a paranoia? You should just ignore the cops and act like a free man. Get to where you are going and enjoy the ride, without worrying about some cop pulling you over. Wouldn't that be a better environment?

Or do you feel guilty when someone passes you in a pickup truck, doing about 85 mph, and you are just creeping along about 65 or 70? Why must we travel so slow on the Interstates? I know all the answers about safety will wake up now. :-)

[northoftheborder]

1. Usually conscious of my speed, AND cops. I drive slower and defensively.

[kentuck]

3. Would you be conscious of your speed if...

you did not think a cop might be watching you??

[MedleyMisty]

9. I would

I have this weird thing where I don't like the idea of killing other people, so I drive safely.

It's not because I'm an authoritarian rule follower. It's just that traffic laws make sense to me because they are there to try to prevent crashes. I don't see anything unjust or unnecessary about them. Driving at a safe speed does not go against any morals.

And I tend to think that people who drive too fast are assholes who don't care if they end up killing other people. Nine times out of ten they're driving a giant luxury SUV or truck, which lends itself to the whole asshole thing.

I've also noticed that in upper middle class developments, the drivers don't seem to notice other cars. They don't stop at the stop signs, and if there's something parked on the side so there's room for only one car, I have to stop and wait for them to pass because they're sure as hell not going to stop for anyone.

And yes, my job requires extensive driving. As a result I have plenty of observations about human nature based on people's driving habits. :)

[emilyg]

49. I would. I feel the

faster I go,the less control I have.

[Arctic Dave]

2. What is this "interstate" you speak of?

;)

[kentuck]

5. In America, it is short for the Interstate Highway System...

But I have a hunch you knew that? :-)

[hootinholler]

84. I suspect that to A.D. that would be paved road not gravel/mud. n/t

[Blue_Tires]

89. In most cities, it's better known as the

"****** slow-moving parking lot"

[GeorgeGist]

4. I find it more pleasant ...

not to run with the herd.

[kentuck]

6. I would say ...

those are probably wise words...

[scarletwoman]

7. Huh? I use my car's cruise control, and generally set it at the posted speed limit.

I don't have to think about what speed I'm going at all when I'm on an freeway, I've set the cruise control and that's that.

[csziggy]

28. Same here. Though I drive on interstates as little as possible.

Most trips I try to plan to avoid interstates. If I am traveling for relaxation, the interstate is not it and other roads have much better scenery. The places I have to get to fast, many of the alternative routes are just as fast as the interstates going the same direction.

[Kennah]

52. Me three, and I tend to go between the speed limit and 5 MPH under

[RebelOne]

90. I go about 5 miles over the speed limit.

You would not get stopped for that.

[dkf]

61. Me too...except I set it a bit above the limit.

Maybe around 7-9 mph over. People get mad if you drive the limit here.

[piedmont]

8. I generally drive with fuel economy and safety in mind, and don't worry about cops.

I haven't had a ticket in 7 years, and may not get another for a long while. Is your OP really about driving, or are you setting up a discussion about more interesting topics?

[kentuck]

11. I was hoping someone would ask why?

:-)

[seabeyond]

15. cause it is pretty obvious that you are talking about something else. nt

[TwilightGardener]

10. I've stopped going more than a couple miles over the speed limit after

getting repeatedly pulled over--that gets expensive. I'm pretty aware of my speed most of the time, and in fact I seem to drive too slow for most people behind me (middle aged moms seem the most aggressive as tailgaters, which is funny because that's what I am). Of course, they can bite me.

[seabeyond]

12. i always look for cops, i have to do cruise but have it 6-8 miles over limit.

i like to speed, but have gotten too many tickets so trying to be better. i like being in front. i dont like being passed. i dont like going slow. i want to be out of the traffic without cars around. i dont care about hte law. i am safe and make sure i am safe around others. i pay attention when i drive. the only time i have had an accident is under ten miles an hour.

[kentuck]

I like a lot of space between myself and the next car...

So I can relax while I drive. If I have to go a little faster, not a lot, to get ahead of the crowd, I will take that gamble. I feel like it is worth it.

[seabeyond]

19. periodically, i will get an ass whole that plays back and forth. he passes. then slows

then i pass. then he speeds up and passes. very frustrating for me, out here in the west, with wide stretches of road. one time i accelerate to 90 or more for 15 minutes or so to get away from him. it starts getting creepy.

i was pulled over and good ole boy. i told him what was happening and i didn't want to be messed with. he let me go. i get out of more tickets than i get. but i still get them. been trying to be good.

[kentuck]

37. I know what you mean....

They have lapses. They go too fast for their mental capacity, then when they realize they are going too slow, then they speed up and overcompensate for the time they lost while they were driving unconsciously.. :-)

[seabeyond]

66. asshole. typing without thinking. bad. nt

[JVS]

13. Since my car doesn't have cruise control, I have to pay attention.

Most of my driving is in town, so I seldom go onto the interstate, or if I do it's just for 1 or 2 exits. At these times, I just drive with the traffic, as I'm much more preoccupied with merging and then turning than I am with covering distance.

Sometimes I drive to visit family; it's a 500 mile drive. At these times I try to drive 9 mph above the speed limit. This is quite easy most of the time. But in WV where the limit is 70, it can be difficult to do 9mph over the limit, especially while on curvy roads up mountains. In Indiana, it's easier to do 79.

I keep an eye out for cops.

[Horse with no Name]

14. I generally drive under the speed limit

#1 I can't afford a ticket and #2 I am a safety freak.

[seabeyond]

16. bad you bad... bad bad. you should get a ticket for going too slow. bad

:hug:

[Horse with no Name]

18. LOL

I don't drive slow enough to obstruct traffic...but I drive 4-5 miles under.

I finally let my granddaughter out of her booster seat....she weighs 110 pounds.
The reason? I was afraid if I hit a bump her head was going to hit the roof,lol.
Good thing she is tall too--otherwise I would have kept her in one as long as I could.:)

[seabeyond]

22. oh, lmao. lol. well, we have to do what we have to do to make it through our days...

that is funny

[Aerows]

17. Is 135 mph against the law?

Okay, I don't drive that fast all the time.

[FarCenter]

20. I go at the same 35 mph that the other four lanes are going

[madrchsod]

21. the average speed on the toll road i drive to chicago is close to 80.

the police are usually traveling the same speed and i rarely see anyone pulled over. what they watch for are drivers who weave in and out of traffic or other stupid driving. i drove to work on this road for almost 4 yrs and averaged around 75 in my crx. i had cops pass me...

[customerserviceguy]

23. You can generally drive

about five MPH over the limit, and get away with it. Perhaps 10 MPH west of the Mississippi.

[shraby]

24. I've noticed that on interstates cars come in packs. By

going the speed limit but not over, a pack will come up, pass me an go on their merry way and then I have a long stretch with no traffic to watch..until another pack comes. In about 2 or 3 minutes they are gone and I have the road to myself once again.

[TwilightGardener]

26. I notice this too. I just keep trundling along at the speed limit in the right lane,

and often end up by myself because the leadfoots have all gone by, which is fine by me.

[kentuck]

40. It's like they are insecure...

there could be only two cars on the entire road and they would feel like they need to be close to your car, rather than going around...

[A HERETIC I AM]

41. Want to know why that is?

It is because Americans have HORRIBLE lane discipline.

The reason traffic runs in packs like that is because there is one dumbass moron in the front of the pack that WILL NOT FUCKING CHANGE LANES to the right, followed by all the other morons who won't change to the right either.

Very few drivers want to run in the right lane and use the left for passing only. Driver education in the USA is deplorable, and damned little information is provided on how to properly use a multi-lane, limited access highway.

[shraby]

50. That may be true, but I sure enjoy not having to watch out

for the other cars every minute of traveling..being mostly alone, I can enjoy the trip.

[RKP5637]

25. Generally drive with cruise control on about 5 mph over the limit. Also watch

for cops. I don't feel like getting a ticket.

[A HERETIC I AM]

27. 2 rules to go by; The 10% rule and the 75th percentile rule.

One has to do with safety, the other has to do with speeding directly.

The 10% rule suggests that one should never travel more than 10% over the posted speed limit. In other words, no more than 60.5 MPH in a 55 zone, no more than 38.5 in a 35 zone, etc. Of course, the higher the posted speed limit, the lower this percentage should be. Most cops will give you the ten percent, as long as it isn't egregious and it complies with......


The 75th percentile rule. This suggests that the safest speed to travel on a given roadway regardless of the posted speed limit is that speed which 75% of traffic is flowing. If the speed limit is 70 and 75% of the traffic is traveling at 85, then the safest speed is 85. It also is the case that if the posted speed limit is 70 and 75% of the traffic is doing 40, then the safest speed is 40. If you are traveling considerably faster or slower than the 75%, YOU are the hazard.

As far as your questions are concerned, yes, I am ABSOLUTELY aware of my speed at every moment. I am also aware of traffic around me. I check my mirrors regularly. It is a damned rare event for me anymore that I am surprised to find a vehicle next to me when I go to change lanes. I don't worry about cops because I follow the above two rules.

I take the driving task seriously. It's my job.

Edit: spelling

[SlimJimmy]

31. Finally, someone that gets it. +1

The 75th percentile rule. This suggests that the safest speed to travel on a given roadway regardless of the posted speed limit is that speed which 75% of traffic is flowing. If the speed limit is 70 and 75% of the traffic is traveling at 85, then the safest speed is 85. It also is the case that if the posted speed limit is 70 and 75% of the traffic is doing 40, then the safest speed is 40. If you are traveling considerably faster or slower that the 75%, YOU are the hazard.

[Kali]

33. never knew there was a 75% rule

thought I just did that because it felt right

my version is more like I don't pass more than about 25 to 30% of the traffic and if EVERYBODY is passing me I am going too slow

[A HERETIC I AM]

35. The fact is Kali, most people do exactly that.

And your version is perfectly fine. The basic idea being, "go with the flow".

It is my experience, and from all that I have read on the subject over the years, most highway accidents occur because of a disparity in speed, not the speed itself. What I mean is, the usual culprit in an accident on the freeway is either the idiot going WAY faster than the 75% or the one going way slower. Even in cases of large pile-ups due to fog or blizzard/white-out conditions, the initial impact is almost always due to one person slowing waaaay down and getting hit from behind.

[alphafemale]

39. I generally match a pace with those around me.

....and never pass a cop.

[kentuck]

43. I agree with you that I like to see every car that is around me...

and any cars that might be coming up from behind. I use my mirrors a lot but I like open space driving not bumper to bumper stuff when it is not necessary.

[justabob]

55. regarding the 75% rule

I know someone who got a ticket for "impeding the flow of traffic" a few years ago because she was going the posted speed when everyone else was going much faster. Some days you just can't win. :)

[A HERETIC I AM]

56. Was she in the right lane? Or the middle lane of 3? Or the left lane?

If she was in the right lane, the cop was out of line.

If she was anywhere else, she probably deserved it.

[justabob]

57. I don't know

It was actually a major six-eight(varies) lane artery in town, not the interstate. Sorry... I completely forgot this thread is about interstates specifically when I posted. I just remembered this incident reading about the 75% rule, and jumped in without thinking. :)

[A HERETIC I AM]

58. No worries. It's late! n/t

[wickerwoman]

59. I just try to stay as far from everyone else as possible.

If I'm stuck in a pack, I pass until I'm clear of the pack regardless of the speed it takes to do that (within reasonable safety limits of course). If I'm in an open space and I see a pack ahead, I'll go the speed limit to avoid catching up with them. If they're going noticeably lower than the speed limit, I'll pass again until I can get into a clearing.

Never gotten a ticket and only pulled over once (for driving in Oklahoma at 3am with Jersey license plates).

I've driven in a lot of foreign countries and on both sides of the road. Pretty much everywhere it boils down to "stay as far as possible from everyone else and you'll be OK".

And I agree that driving too slow or too defensively makes you a hazard as well. People who slam on the brakes or who keep passing up their turn at intersections are just as dangerous as speeders. The key is to be absolutely predictable in everything you do even when that isn't the "defensive" move.

[uncle ray]

63. plus it's much less likely someone will call the cops when they see you lighting up.

:smoke:

[lapislzi]

71. Love this.

I wasn't aware that this is exactly how I drive. I am always aware of the speed at which I'm traveling, the relative speeds of the traffic around me, and available "escape" routes should a hazard present itself.

If I creep above the 10%, I'll adjust.

I adjust my speed to conditions as well. I don't care if the idiots in the left lane are zooming along at 70 mph during a blizzard. I will move to the right lane and do 45 if I feel it's a safe speed for conditions.

[jtuck004]

29. Why?

Are you one of those people in my rear view mirror that keep telling me I'm number 1 with their finger? It's hard to see, but I think I can guess what you are thinking.

Thank you for your support of my driving record. Having not gotten a ticket in 40 years means a lot to me ;)

[FarLeftFist]

30. It usually takes me to about 70-75mph before I glance down purposely.

On a 55 mph highway.

[tabatha]

32. I hate going fast. So I have to force myself up to the speed limit.

I am also aware that one can become distracted easily, hence I never tail-gate, in case my reactions are not fast enough.

Thus I have found a technique that seems to work; if I am with a bunch of cars, most of them go faster than me, and after a while they are all bunched up together ahead of me doing their competitive tail-gating thing, and I am way back in a long stretch of road on my own. Then the next wave of bunched up cars catches up and passes; and so it goes, wave after wave of cars speeding by in bunches with me enjoying the lulls in between with the road mostly to myself. It is quite pleasant driving.

[kentauros]

73. Interesting that you're the only one (so far) to mention the idea of reactions.

The faster you go, the less time you have to react, to any situation. I take issue with that 75% "rule" and refuse to drive any faster than 75mph. I have more time to react to an animal dashing across the freeway at that speed than the rest of y'all do at your beloved higher speeds. And don't forget that Americans just love to drive without securing their loads. Think you can react fast enough to that dining room chair that just fell off the overloaded pickup in front of you? Not if you're both just "going with the flow".

The majority of drivers in America are no more than "operators of their vehicles." They have little to no driving skills nor do they seem to care enough to get any. So, the idea of driving along at 85, paying close attention to my speed, mirrors and road conditions while the majority of the drivers around me are more concerned with their radios, their phones, their food or their kids, makes me want to drive slow enough to remain as far away from their influence as possible. I'll let you "I'm an excellent driver!" speed-demons deal with the unskilled speed-freaks ;)

[NYC_SKP]

34. Try to always be the *second fastest* car on the interstate, or keep it at or under 80 MPH.

For I-5...

:P

[kentuck]

44. Maybe they will get the other guy because he's doing 85..

..and you are only doing 80? :-)

[NYC_SKP]

45. Yup! Sometimes it works...

...and sometimes it doesn't!

AND- always be sure for 18 months to pass between violations (traffic school).

:P

[RebelOne]

100. Usually works, because the cops will get driver

ahead of you first. That way you have time to reduce your speed. At least, this always worked with me.

[phaseolus]

36. I never look at the speedometer

...unless I'm surprised by a sheriff at the side of the road.

(which come to think of it, since I drive through most of Racine County on I-94 every weekday, happens about 8 times every week.)

I just drive at the speed that 'feels' right. That's usually a little faster than most traffic, but slow enough that there's always a car nearby going faster than I feel like driving. I make it a point to stay out of everyone's way.

I HATE cruise control, unless I'm on a really long ( > 3 hrs ) trip and there's a stretch of road with few cars. I'm always adjusting my speed to get out of peoples' way and to give trucks a place to move into if they need it. I pay special attention to semis and get thank-you light flashies from them all the time.

[valerief]

38. I always check my speedometer and my rear view mirror.

I try to stay in the right lane so I don't slow anyone down. I get pissed when some asswipe is up my friggin' ass and there's the whole friggin' highway available.

[LeftyMom]

42. The cops here pull people over for driving the limit. It's suspicious behavior.

:shrug:

[WillowTree]

46. I don't speed. I just don't.

I set my cruise control to 55 and take up residence in the right lane. Everyone can go ahead and pass me, and they do. Don't care. Safer, better for the gas mileage, and I don't feel rushed and harried all the time. And frankly, speeding really doesn't save as much time as a lot of people think unless you're driving far. More people should try slowing down a bit. It's really a more relaxed way to live.

[Exultant Democracy]

47. I drive to maximize my mileage because of climate change.

All things being equal I try to keep as close 50mpg as I can get. If I go much 65 my mileage drops exponentially every 5 miles over.

[U4ikLefty]

48. What's a "speed limit"?

Does not compute....I live in So Cal.

[krispos42]

51. In crowded Connecticut, there seem to be two options

When the traffic isn't congealed due to volume, road construction, or squirrels screwing in the woods (I can't find any real reason, so it might as well be hot squirrel lovemaking).

Option 1: right-hand lane. Speed, about 60 but highly prone to dropping to 50 due to traffic merging/exiting.

Option 2: Left or center lane: between 70 and 75mph, regardless of speed limit.

Both options make cruise control nearly impossible.

[demosincebirth]

53. In California, we call 'em Freeways.. Don't know nuttung 'bout inerstaats

[Common Sense Party]

62. That's 'cuz in California, you don't believe there ARE other states.

[demosincebirth]

105. Only Blue Sates.

[Common Sense Party]

108. Only New York state.

Flyover country doesn't really count.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

72. Interesting as to the regionalism for the notion of a limited access highway.

Freeways, Expressways, Motorways (in the UK), Interstates (regardless of whether or not it's an officially designated interstate), Thruway, or just plain old Highway.

In Florida, it's almost always a highway or expressway, or in more rural areas, interstate. Very rarely do I hear it called a "freeway", in part because there are no highways in Florida that are actually named as a "freeway."

[Xithras]

86. Many of those terms are used in California.

Just not for freeways, or what you would think of as interstates.

Generally, in California parlance, "freeway" is used to designate any restricted access high speed multi-lane roadways. "Highway" is used to designate open-access arterials and high speed two-lane connecting roadways. To get from Los Angeles to Fresno, for example, you could take the 5 freeway to the 41 junction, and take Highway 41 (a two lane high capacity roadway) to Fresno. We would never call 5 a highway, or 41 a freeway, but both terms do get used.

Expressway generally indicates an urban arterial with semi-limited access for moving surface traffic within the confines of a single town. I live near Modesto California, which is a small city of about 200,000 people bisected by a north/south freeway. The town also has two east/west expressways that move traffic from the more distant parts of town onto the freeway. The expressways have stoplights at intersections where they cross other major roadways in town, but they do NOT connect to any of the more minor streets, and they have no driveways for homes, businesses, or anything else. They are specifically designed to move traffic across town as quickly as possible, but still have intersections instead of ramps.

[demosincebirth]

104. You must be from San Jose

[Xithras]

106. No...

...but close!

[demosincebirth]

110. Gotta be Santa Clara!

[Tommy_Carcetti]

109. I know California has roads they call "expressways"....

....but they don't resemble anything close to what we call an expressway. More like a boulevard of sorts.

[Xithras]

83. Actually, in California, we mostly just call them "the".

"Take the 5, it has less traffic."

But, if you're talking about the system in general, they're freeways. When I hear someone call them by another name, it's a dead giveaway that they're not natives.

[nadinbrzezinski]

54. I am far more selfish than that

I watch my speed as this is far better for gas consumption...go ahead call me tree hugger.

[Common Sense Party]

60. I set cruise at 4 mph above the posted speed limit unless the situation

dictates more caution. I don't worry about HP, because they have better things to do than pull over someone doing 4 miles above the limit.

[JCMach1]

64. Because speed kills... come visit me in the UAE if you want to see the results...

horrific.

[MineralMan]

65. If I'm driving long distance on the Interstate, my speed is

controlled by the cruise control unless I have switched to manual operation due to traffic. Locally, I maintain my speed at the speed limit when traffic allows, which is seldom. Once I reach the speed limit, I note the sound of the car, which allows me to maintain my speed without taking my eyes off the road.

I don't look in the mirror, because I'm traveling at or below the speed limit. If traffic is going faster than the speed limit, I move to the right lanes until I reach a lane that is traveling at that speed limit or below. In no case will I exceed the speed limit.

[seabeyond]

67. so, what i have always felt interesting is a persons rhythm. i talk fast, walk fast, move fast

drive fast. if i have to go a slower speed on the freeway, it does not internally feel good. it leaves me anxious. what i normally do is drive the speed that in in tuned with road and environment. it is almost always faster than what is posted. BUT... we do have a road with speed at 70, and there is a curve and traffic coming onto the street at a certain place. i have always been uncomfortable going to the speed limit on this road and have to make myself go 70. there have been a few other times this has happened.

[JoePhilly]

68. If you are driving slower than the overall flow of traffic GET IN THE RIGHT LANE!

If you are pulling a boat, GET IN THE RIGHT LANE!!!

If your car's back window is blocked with a bunch of crap, GET IN THE RIGHT LANE!!

Screaming kids? GET IN THE RIGHT LANE!!

Arguing with your spouse, GET IN THE RIGHT LANE!!

Pass on the left. Then get back over to the right lane so others can pass you if they need to.

[mrs_p]

69. i have a baby in car

so i go the speed limit. passing cars who don't like it can stick it where the sun don't shine. there is no way in hell i am going to go faster than necessary and put my daughter's life in danger just to get somewhere a few minutes faster. cops or no cops... for me, it's safety.

[slackmaster]

78. Going significantly slower than the flow of traffic puts you at risk

I hope you are able to balance that with your fear of going faster.

[mrs_p]

81. i'm in colorado

where the speed limit is 75 on the interstate. there really is no reason i can think of why i would need to go faster than that...

[slackmaster]

91. Ah, that makes sense. The only part I don't get is why you might exercise less caution...

...without a child in the car.

[mrs_p]

95. b/c no child in the car means i don't have a precious little life

depending on me. if it is just myself, i would be a bit more risky. in fact, before her, i used to speed all the time (haven't gotten a ticket yet, but i'm sure karma will catch up with me). now that i have her with me in the car, all i can think about is keeping her as safe as can be. i don't know, it's like, as soon as she was born, all i can do now is think up ways she can be hurt. speeding unnecessarily is one of them...

[slackmaster]

98. I value my own life and those of other drivers just as much as I do any child

Including mine, when I had one under my care.

...in fact, before her, i used to speed all the time....

I'm glad you have matured. Any motivation that works is fine with me.

I was over that by age 27. I haven't been cited for a moving violation in over 25 years.

[mrs_p]

99. wow - you don't know me at all...

and yet i was immature?? fine. you anonymous internet person are sooo much better than me. don't bother answering me, cause i won't see it anyway.

[slackmaster]

102. I regard driving without total commitment to safety at all times as a sign of immaturity

You can rationalize it however you want to.

It took having a child to make you grow up. I got over that threshold a little before that passage in my life, but not by much.

[Common Sense Party]

92. I can. The reason: If you're in Wyoming and you're trying to get out of

it ASAP.

[mrs_p]

96. hahaha

:D

[LWolf]

70. When I drive on the interstate

and there are no traffic issues, I use cruise control. I set my cruise control at about 7 mph above the posted speed limit if it is a dry, flat, straight stretch. If it's wet, foggy, or curvy, or if there are big climbs and descents, I don't use cruise control.

If it is after 10 pm, and the interstate is empty, I crank the speed way up. I generally don't find myself on the interstate unless I'm traveling to family; an 1100 mile trip...I get there sooner if I go faster.

If there is traffic, I drive with the flow of that traffic, at whatever speed that happens to be. If I suspect a speed trap, I slow down.

[Shagbark Hickory]

74. I always scan for kkkops when I drive. But I usually set the cruise control to

speed where I don't think I'll get a ticket at.

Except in the case of in my own county. The kkkops lost their radar certification so I drive at whatever speed I please. Unless there is a minivan in front of me clogging up the roads, which is often the case.

[Bluenorthwest]

75. I drive with safety and economy in mind

On Interstates, how that plays out varies greatly from State to State. In Oregon, 85 is generally 20 miles an hour above the posted maximum speed. In CA, on the same Interstate, 85 is often the safe pace in the flow. Laws and customs change on Interstates from State to State. I drive accordingly. If I must drive myself that is. I'd rather not, really, so the act of driving a vehicle is not in the territory of 'free man' or 'guilt' it is a chore I have to do, as no one pays a teamster to drive me anywhere these days. I do not enjoy driving, fast, slow, long or short. So the idea of seeking emotional release or feelings of liberty from operating a vehicle is alien to me.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

76. Speeds vary on the interstates

5 to 10 over is normal driving.

Slow to 20 under to dial a phone. Or 25 under to text.

Speed to 10 under while chatting.

Slow to 20 under to hang up and put the phone back on the charger.

Speed to 5 to 10 over to resume normal driving.

That's my observation, driving around Detroit.

:hi:

[slackmaster]

77. I generally go with the flow of traffic for safety reasons

Nobody drives the speed limit around here (San Diego.)

[Fumesucker]

79. Meh, I'm more worried about gas mileage than speed now...

When I actually drive that is.

Most vehicles get the best highway mileage at the slowest speed they will run smoothly in the highest gear they have, a lot of cars that turns out to be about 50, I don't like going that slow so I tend to run 55 to 60 but I'm not a fanatic about it, if everyone else is blasting along and the traffic is heavy I'll speed up to keep from being a real impediment to traffic flow.

ETA: Without gas mileage and cops concern I'd probably be doing 80-85 a lot on open interstate.

[surrealAmerican]

80. I think the point here is that ...

... it is detrimental to society and to the "rule of law" to have laws in place that are routinely ignored. It's a valid point, and something we give little if any thought to in this country.

[kentuck]

88. Really...

the point I was trying to illustrate is that we all operate differently under the rules of laws. We still look at our speedometers and look out for the cops because we are programmed to do that. We simply are programmed in different ways. They can change the speed limit any time they like.

[surrealAmerican]

94. It's not really a question of what the speed limit is: ...

... drivers will routinely exceed it whatever it is set at.

[rjj621]

82. I'm generally going over the posted speed limit

Around here if you are in any lane other than the right lane and doing less than 10 over you may get run over. On the interstate I tend to keep with the flow of traffic, which is speeding.
I also have absolutely no problem passing a cop if they are going under the posted speed limit because everyone around them has some absurd notion that they all need to go 5-10 under because they see a cop.

People around here need to learn to stay to the right if you're going slower and leave the left lane open for passing. Slowing down the flow of traffic is dangerous as well.

[kentuck]

85. I have passed cops before...

But no more than a few miles above the speed limit. Especially if they are slowing the flow of traffic. But I would not recommend this to anyone. :-)

[FreeJoe]

87. Cruise

I set my cruise control at the speed that I feel is appropriate for the conditions. That is typically ranges from 5 mpg above the limit to significantly below the limit, depending on time of day and weather. My car has adaptive cruise control and I set it to maintain a 2 second following distance if someone is ahead of me. I don't worry about law enforcement.

In the old days, it was a different story. I didn't have cruise control. We had a stupid federal law that limited speed even in places like West Texas to 55 mph. No one drove anywhere close to that speed. I certainly didn't. In those cases, I watched vigilantly for law enforcement and usually tried to "draft" behind someone with a radar detector.

[OxQQme]

93. Depends

on whether I'm going TO the in-laws for turkey dinner, or going FROM, towards home.

Joking. (In case they are here too)

[NeedleCast]

97. My Round Trip Commute is 114 miles/day

So I'm pretty careful about driving at or near the speed limit. I generally do 5-7 MPH over the speed limit on the Freeways (although traffic doesn't always allow).

Some interesting observations in this thread. I spend roughly three hours a day in my Jeep so I have a lot of time to observe traffic. The posters talking about "packs" of cars ring very true. I've done plenty of non-scientific experiments while driving. For example, while it's not always true, in general people driving red cars speed the most/worst. People with those stupid f'ing "Baby on Board" signs/stickers on their cars seem to be most likely to be talking on a hand-held phone while driving. Part of my commute involves rural, country roads and I see the same cars a lot. People who drive 30 MPH when they are in front of you often drive faster than when they are behind you. There is a white Suburban that I've seen do this at least a half dozen times (will drive at the speed limit when they are in front of me, but will drive the same speed I am going, and increase speed with me) when they are following.

You humans are interesting creatures.

[The Second Stone]

101. On the freeway I drive the limit plus one or two mph over

because my speedometer is slow, as I understand most speedometers to be. If I'm out on the open road in the middle of nowhere, I have been known to really open it up, but the last time I did that I got stopped and written up for going 23 mph over the limit. And that was a gift from the officer who didn't want to take me in.

[Obamanaut]

103. In the car I set the cruise control at the speed limit (generally 70 in Fla),

and on the motorcycle I don't go on the interstate, but take another route to get to where I want to be.

In neither case do I worry about the police because I have nothing to hide.

[Old Troop]

107. I guess I'm a scofflaw. I try to average 75 mph or so. I have no excuse

either. I don't have to rush to get places, I just love to drive fast.