<VV> Speed on Public Highways

[ChiefTAM at aol.com]

Well, as one of the "law enforcers" on this list, I would have to say  
officially that none of this can be condoned, that the lives of the drivers, law 
 enforcement officers, other travelers, pedestrians, etc. are put at risk 
by this  type of behavior on public roads.  However, this does happen all the 
time  and the internet is full of videos like the Z06/Ford GT.  Obviously 
this  has been going on for a long time, but is now intensified by the advent 
of video  and YouTube.  If you have seen the video of the motorcyclist, in 
Russia I  believe, splitting lanes in rush hour traffic at speeds up to and 
over 100 MPH,  it will scare the hell out of you.  There are also thousands 
of  pictures/videos/reports of the carnage caused by reckless drivers on 
public  roads.
 
The "official" line notwithstanding, I certainly don't subscribe to the  
enforcement of speed laws that some agencies subscribe to.  When I hear  
stories of officers writing citations for 1-3 over the limit, or for minor  
speeds on interstates, it drives me nuts.  How about just mailing people  random 
citations?  Nothing ticks people off more, and reduces support for  public 
safety, than those ridiculous speeding citations.  Our Interstate  highways, 
especially those in the Midwest, south and west, are certainly  designed for 
safety and much higher speeds than the limits suggest.  That,  coupled with 
vehicles that are engineered for much more safety than those of the  cars 
in the Corvair days, only serves to limit public support for speed limits  
and enforcement.
 
I once held a "speeding summit" in a community I policed, starting out the  
meeting by stating "Hi, my name is Todd and I am a speeder."  It wasn't an  
AA meeting, but it could have been, as the attendees did realize that 
speeding  can affect anyone.
 
Now, for more admissions.  A number of years ago I took the brand new  
Corvette (2006 Z51 Coupe) I bought the wife to NE Iowa to surprise my son at one 
 of his high school football games.  Returning to Texas, I left Southeast  
Wisconsin early Sunday morning, and arrived in Texas, 1009 miles later, in  
13:20, which I didn't think much of, I was trying to get home.  Someone on  
a Corvette website said he figured that out, and it was a 75.7 mph average  
speed.  Again, not too remarkable, but that was total time, not running  
time, and it included 3 stops for gas, two stops to grab a bite to eat, and  
another bathroom stop, with the accompanying slow downs and start ups, as well 
 as going through a couple of toll booths with their stops.  I guess the  
running time speed average was probably a bit higher!  ;-)  On top of  that, 
I averaged 28.5 mpg for the trip!  At no time during this 13 plus  hour trip 
did I ever feel uncomfortable or notice the speed at which I was  
traveling, nor did I feel I was traveling at an unsafe speed for the road or the  
vehicle.  Modern sports cars are great!
 
Well, happy motoring.  I always think I am speeding in the 69 Corvair  
Convertible, as when the speedometer reads 66 mph, it is actually only going  60!
 
Todd in MN
 
 
 
In a message dated 4/2/2011 11:59:47 A.M. Central Daylight Time,  
vairtec at optonline.net writes:

Y'know,  you guys wouldn't have to worry about any of this if you'd 
just do what  did:

Drive Greenbriers.

It's a lot harder to get a speeding  ticket in one of them.

It *can* be done -- but it requires a relatively  low speed limit and 
a relatively long accelleration area...

I did  see an indicated 100 mph in my '64 Greenbrier once, in the 70s, 
but that  was on a long, straight, slightly downhill stretch of 
Interstate with a  very strong tailwind.  And even with those 
conditions, it took  forever to get to that speed.

(When I think about that now... young  driver... short wheelbase... 
bias-ply tires...)

--Bob "happy to be  alive" Marlow

Robert W.  Marlow
Vairtec at optonline.net

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