Speed Limits

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This section does not condone dangerous driving. It simply states that speed limits should be set by traffic engineers, not by politicians.

I believe that government continually uses unrealistic speed limits to generate more revenue through speeding tickets.  While most police officers will set their radar guns to trigger on real speeders that are traveling well above the prevailing traffic flow, some officers will set up speed traps and pick off drivers that are just keeping up with traffic that is safely moving 10 to 15 MPH above the posted limit (like shooting fish in a barrel).  This practice jeopardizes  good drivers, not only in their pocket (through fines and increased insurance premiums) but through the point system which  puts their privilege to drive at risk.

Insurance companies play a big part in this by helping police departments buy new radar equipment as long as they keep their ticket quota up.  On the surface, their intentions seem commendable, but if you follow the money trail, you find that the substantial increases in insurance rates for drivers with speeding tickets on their record adds considerably to their profit picture.

Speed limits should be based on the 85 percentile rule, the speed at which 85% of the motorists drive at or below. This is not the case in many areas of the country where speed limits are set ridiculously low, while police hide and wait to pick you off. Most notably the New Jersey Turnpike, an Interstate highway that is straight for almost 100 miles, until recently, had a speed limit of 55 mph (it is now 65, but with much stronger enforcement.) The safe speed on most of that road is closer to 75.

Here is a response from a police commander in Florida

If there are any other police officers that are willing to discuss this topic, I would love to here from you, pro or con.  To me, safety is the reason for speed limits, not revenue.  I will set up a discussion group if we get enough interest (keeping all names anonymous of course)

More than ever, I would like your input.
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Some SPEED Related Links:

• Valentine One Radar Detectors
• Reasonable Drivers Unanimous
• The National Motorists Association
• Speed Trap Exchange