Speed limits should not exist on highways. Agree or disagree?

[Kingofkings1992]

I’m sorry, but I fail to see the need for a speed limit on road like this. I firmly believe in speed limits within towns and communities, but the highway? Really?

Agree

Disagree

Updates

6 mo

Think outside the box for once people

[Orion84]

Theoretically, I agree. Practically, though, I have to disagree.

I don't like speed limits, and I generally exceed them but a certain limit, but the problem with abolishing them completely (on highways & interstates) is, as with many things, people.

Put simply, a lot of people just wouldn't be able to drive safely at increased speeds. I don't know about you, but I don't like the idea of some jackass cruising down the interstate at 110 mph while texting on his phone, and not paying attention.

It significantly increases the danger to other drivers, while offering very little practical benefits. We both know we'd be cruising down the interstate right up until we encountered some dipshit going 45 in the passing lane, and logjamming everyone behind him, anyway.

Plus, I just wouldn't trust a lot of peoples' vehicles at higher speeds. Your neighor's 16 year old son trying to do 100 mph in his rusted Honda shitbox gets even less appealing when he discovers that his tie rods are shot, and loses control of his car.

Sure, there's the Autobahn, in Europe, and that actually works fairly well, but the flip side of that is German licenses are much, much harder to get than in the US, where they're handed out to any functional moron like Pez.

The Autobahn is much better maintained, too. I'm not sure where you're from, but up north it's not unusual to encounter craters... sorry, "potholes" in the middle of the road that can take out a 100+ mph vehicle quicker than you'd be able to see it coming, at that speed.

[MuddyMole]

Haha, it's quite funny to see "I fail to see the need for a speed limit on road like this" as the caption for an image that shows a road with such a high traffic density that there's no way you could safely go anywhere near the existing speed limit anyway. Goes to show, people like you are precisely the reason a speed limit is needed.

But yeah, there are existing laws to prohibit "dangerous driving" which technically make a speed limit unnecessary, since driving too fast for the road / conditions / traffic / etc is inherently dangerous anyway - but the problem is that they're completely unenforceable. The only time anyone is caught is when they've already caused an accident or a police patrol just happens to be around, but the odds of that are almost zero. A speed limit and camera is a convenient way to deter one particular form of dangerous driving.
In other countries, it might work, but Americans are way too dumb and irresponsible.

[Kingofkings1992]

I just found some random picture on the internet and used it as an example. Not sure why you’re making attacks on me and Americans, but two words for you dickhead : fuck you

[MuddyMole]

Well it works better as a counter-example. And I'm not sure why you're getting so upset - I didn't say anything that wasn't true.
I mean seriously, you think a 16 year old kid, who has merely demonstrated that they can drive around a closed course for 10 minutes, without any other traffic, and without ever exceeding 15mph, should then be allowed to drive as fast as they like? That is beyond dumb.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hueK5B_c0FE

[Kingofkings1992]

No, what you did was make assumptions about me based on the photo I posted, then proceeded to make assumptions about Americans as a whole. No, I do NOT need speed limits. I can discern what a safe speed is without them. I don’t need others to think for me.

[MuddyMole]

A logical assumption, though (and you continue to further prove my point). And don't worry - yes, most Americans are idiots, but they're not alone - most Brits are also idiots, for example (as well as being terrible drivers). And maybe you can discern a safe speed, but that's not going to do you much good when one of those other idiots hits you at 190mph (unfortunately, the fastest cars are almost invariably driven by the worst drivers, so that's not an unlikely scenario).

[Kingofkings1992]

Assumptions are never logical. Assumption = ass. Well, year after year more people try to come here than anywhere else. so, obviously we’re doing something right. But here’s the problem with your argument. Speed limits don’t actually deter people from speeding. so what good do they do?

[NoDecision]

Have you ever watched a YouTube video of car crashes caused by drivers going way too fast for the road conditions? Your stopping distance increases with every single MPH you travel, with a reaction time to match. I do believe speed limits are warranted.

[Apple1996]

🤦‍♀️ everyone would probably be dead if there were no speed limits on highways. It was bad enough when I lived in Texas and that shit was 85 and everyone would really drive 100

[exitseven]

When I drove from Oklahoma City to Dallas my girlfriend told me i had to drive the speed limit because the cops would pull you over if you went too fast. The other cars on the highway (I-35) were going 65 MPH.

[Pohjolan]

Well yes but actually no. German autobahns were specifically designed not to have a speed limit. Like they have built in warning systems, more gentle junctions, more open space next to the road, etc.

Also they are not without a speed limit 24/7 like some parts get a speed limit if it's icy or its raining.

Moreover we all have seen the clips of Americans piling YOLO into a existing car crash.

Burgers are too disorganised and irresponsible for a widespread network of autobahn. Like they would just drive on the emergency lane during a traffic jam. It's only going to work in a society with a certain degree of discipline.

Just take a look at LA right now.

[DryGermanGuy]

~75% of the Autobahn is unlimited, ~25% has speed limits. Recommended speed is 130 km/h.

[Summeroflove]

The issue is that if there isn’t speed limits people will drive as recklessly as they want to drive as people who drive slowly would be ran over. Sure, many people don’t follow speed limits and occasionally a cop will enforce the speed limits. But there has to be some line in the sand somewhere.

[NaultD]

They shouldn't be arbitrary set. 55 mph was set during the energy crisis. So driving slower was to use less gasoline which was very scarce at the time of setting speed limits.

A calculated speed limit for the area should be assessed not an all around default.

[NaultD]

https://youtu.be/3SFM999m5c0?si=9iacovtYL3Xighnz

[NaultD]

To be honest lived in alaska all my life and we have express ways that have street red green yellow lights.

Then long one lane roads. One sold yellow line and dotted yellow line tobpass people. Maybe for a bit two lane Stay on the right. Left is the passing lane.

What lane are you supposed to drive in a real highway? I pride myself being an above average driver on flat slick ice one day and 3 feet of snow another, but that 5 lane highway makes me want to puke.

[AviatorTom]

Without posted speed limits, how would communities issue speeding tickets and fines to pad their budget?

It's been shown many times that most drivers will drive at what they believe is a reasonable safe speed, regardless of any posted speed limit.

[jshm2]

The problem isn't speed - it's drivers.

Those speed limits are not there just to enforce, but to find people who cannot abide by the laws. Often you will find speed limit breakers tend to break a few other laws as well.

Hence you could say that the speed limit is a good way to find criminals on the road.

[MannMitAntworten]

Autobahn style open roads would be fantastic. In metro areas probably wouldn’t work as well but open highways, it would be a great. Especially for those with high performance autos. I know on the PCH between Santa Barbara and Monterey Bay is a popular super car and hyper car roadway. Also for those on the 66 and 40.

[seeyounexttuesday]

Agreed. It’s just a way to extract money from people.

[Kingofkings1992]

everything’s about money

[DryGermanGuy]

Well, as German with the Autobahn network I tend to agree. But you need the roads, the cars (!) and the drivers' abilities (!!) to make this a relatively safe possibility.

[exitseven]

No, you need speed limits. People drive like assholes and all we need is to have these jerks driving 120 MPH ramming you broadside.

[Kingofkings1992]

What do speed limits accomplish? They stop people from speeding?

[Kingofkings1992]

Maybe you need speed limits. I don’t. Don’t tell me what I need

[exitseven]

@Kingofkings1992 Maybe the speed limits are too low in some places but people are idiots and will drive too fast.

[Surely]

You mean that there are speed limits on our hiways? Don’t seem like it at times.
With cars annd motorcycles out there that can run over 200mph. You know people will have to try them out!

[Anonymous]

If you want to kill yourself there are ways to do so without disrupting others lives too.

[Kingofkings1992]

that’s probably the stupidest comment I’ve ever seen on this platform

[ChicoFromThe305]

There's definitely should be speed limits, uncontrollable speeds exist

[Staximus]

Most people can't handle a car at high speed. I've driven way too fast too many times. One tire blowout at 100+ mph and you're toast.

[Staximus]

Unless you have a personal street sweeper clearing the road in front of you

[DrPepper12]

A common standard is practical & useful. What that standard should be is debatable.

[Shiprex]

In US they should.

[Sal_Monella]

Interstates should have a limit of 80 MPH.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I agree with you on this.