What is the Max speed limit you can go over on an interstate?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by zoekatya, Apr 28, 2014.

  1. gpsman

    gpsman Road Train Member

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    Proof by example (also known as inappropriate generalization) is a logical fallacy whereby one or more examples are claimed as "proof" for a more general statement.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_by_example


    A fact (derived from the Latin factum, see below) is something that has really occurred or is actually the case. The usual test for a statement of fact is verifiability, that is whether it can be proven to correspond to experience. Standard reference works are often used to check facts. Scientific facts are verified by repeatable experiments.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fact

    To you. Experience is what teaches drivers and motorists that speeding and following too closely and ignoring traffic code and half-assing VIs and yakking on the phone, ad infinitum, doesn't matter.

    "Experience" is no indicator of competence. When experience as teacher gets around to correcting the student it's often a lesson by catastrophe. All those trucks involved in the pile-up crashes, shall we assume those are mostly rookies maintaining reasonable following distances, or are they mostly the experienced, steering as they do as a matter of habit, ignoring physics, the weather, traffic and road conditions? Where do you think they learned that, Driver's Ed. and/or truck driving school...?

    Not to your satisfaction, I'm sure. I don't know what seems so preposterous about a 12 year old knowing more about driving than the typical truck driver, the vast majority are obviously unfit to be licensed.

    And...? Raw statistics are of little use without analysis, and are likely to mislead to false conclusions. We don't need statistics to observe the vast majority of truck driver through the windshield and see they're doing it wrong. Insurers and legislators are not beamed about, they travel the same roads, and presumably drive just as stupidly. That does not prevent them from detecting obvious stupidity and concluding identical stupidity is actually more stupid when executed in an LCV.

    It's a 1 in 1M shot. The human instinct to conform to what everyone else is doing, to not stand-out in a crowd, is difficult to impossible to resist. That's among the many things that differentiates the professional driver from the professional steering wheel holder.

    If you drive like everyone else, you're doing it wrong.
     
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  3. x#1

    x#1 Road Train Member

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    I detect envy. The hilarious aspect is that a driver w/a year in is cracking on a driver with just a few months less experience. Perhaps you are now ready to train others. OP's question is legit as he/she may be about to start driving an actual truck as opposed to a rolling roadblock.I did feel differently initially but have read his/her question a few times and then the following replies.OP may just be contemplating stepping up so he can step out of the cluster.I applaud that decision if that is the reason behind the inquiry.Have i missed a post?

    Please keep right except to pass but only pass if you can do so in a couple of minutes or less. Sound advice and i am not a trainer/never even a trainee,just a generous fellow forum member looking out for those w/a year driving under their belts.
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2014
  4. x#1

    x#1 Road Train Member

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    Excellent self analysis and reason enough to leave trucking after a mere 6 years.This is the second time i have been able to agree with you.Let's not make this habitual please.I find it uncomfortable and prefer to not be in this position again.I'd rather continue reading your droning and obscurely linked anti-trucking sentiments.Thanks for leaving the segment of our industry that you did as there are more than enough impediments in the traffic lanes as it is.
     
  5. Clyde07

    Clyde07 Heavy Load Member

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    Can I borrow a dictionary and thesaurus?
     
  6. Gordon A

    Gordon A Medium Load Member

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    There is the rub. What is speeding? X miles an hour over the posted limit or X miles per hour or over the safe speed the driver can handle?. If 60 is a comfortable speed that is a good safe speed for that driver that is a safe speed.. On the other hand if 68 or 70 is a safe speed for Joe blow driver than that is a good speed if it is not over the posted limit. Many variables to consider other than the white and black sign that says 65 mph.

    The variables are many . The drivers experience, The drivers abilities. The frame of mind the driver is in. Then throw in the traffic, the road conditions, Trucks condition, load . How heavy and of course the never forgiving Weather. You roll these conditions together and you have the conditions you set for safe speed. Sunny, cloudy, raining, snow. All these have a direct bearing on safety. Under ideal conditions the posted speed is good to drive at. Altho I think there should be a set numbers of miles per hour that the truck should be able to exceed just for passing safely.

    Nothing pisses off drivers more than two trucks trying to pass and takes 2.9 miles to do it. Or some vigilante in a car with the cruise set for exactly the speed limit in the left lane. That is a ticket in most states now. But where is the cop when you need one?. .

    It is not the truck doing something wrong.

    It is the driver that is wrong. The truck is just a tool. Why is he staying in the left lane when he knows it is going to take so long to pass?. Did he or she not check their mirrors for traffic behind them before pulling to the left??
    Could they not wait ?, Back off a bit waiting for a better opportunity to safely pass.? Is that driver experienced or just be ###### if he is going to sit behind that swift or schneider truck. Attitude.
    Attitude has a lot to do with safety and how we do our jobs.

    We are being watched by every one.
    A driver that takes forever to pass is setting the stage for the road rage seed to be planted by an "I am in a hurry get out of my way I am special " driver in any vehicle. Down the road something is going to happen that was brought on 40 or a 100 miles earlier by one incident of :you did not get out of my way soon enough" attitude or you cut me off . What ever it was, it planted a seed of road age that is growing in that person..
    Remember an accident does not happen at point of impact. The impact is the result of many things coming together. It had it's beginning earlier . The impact or accident is the culmination of events that led to the incident.It could be the driver spilled his coffee, forgot some paper work or had some one cut them off, his alarm did not go off.. It matters not what , It happened and it was setting the stage for disaster to happen down the road.

    Lets go one step further. Two things I need to impart to you new drivers and a few experienced ones..

    When passing please go at least a minimum of 2 truck lengths past another truck before you come back in front of them. Not sure what two trucks lengths is?
    Remember the 100 foot numbers sign in some scale ramps ?. Your truck is about 75 feet long. Just two truck lengths minimum is good, more even better. Especially at highway speeds.The more space between you and the passed vehicle the better.
    Don't be afraid of that car behind you. They aren't going to run over you.
    If a cop sees you coming over too soon after passing, that can be an improper lane change ticket and is a major violation on your CDL.
    When you think your safely past them put your turn signal . Wait a few seconds more to come over. If you don't you are putting that driver you passed in an unsafe position . Tail gating.

    Far too many drivers give the bright light flash way too soon and put them selves in a tail gating situation willingly. That is also like a camera flash in our eyes.
    Fact , Most of us really do know how to pass safely and we will let you have plenty of room for safety. Your brights kill night vision and that is not good. Brights in the mirror is the sign of a either a new driver or a uncaring driver we just passed..

    Look in the mirrors then get zapped by bright lights . That is a BOZO NO NO.
    We all check our mirrors to see how we are progressing and to be assured that the passed vehicle is not picking up speed and we have clearance to return to the right safely. . That happens a lot especially when passing large cars or automobiles.

    Do you know how the flashing of the head lights got started. ??

    Thank you for attending class.
    We will now take a break and return after lunch. Be safe out there.
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2014
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  7. gpsman

    gpsman Road Train Member

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    Begging the question. Begging the question means "assuming the conclusion (of an argument)", a type of circular reasoning. This is an informal fallacy where the conclusion that one is attempting to prove is included in the initial premises of an argument, often in an indirect way that conceals this fact.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begging_the_question

    The logical question is, which is best prepared to avoid the collision... and/or if it can't be avoided which is most likely to inflict the least damage?

    Seems unlikely. Maybe better than 99% of driving "issues" can be solved most safely by merely lifting off the throttle. Can you provide an example when choosing a speed in excess of limits (and/or conditions) is the safer solution?
     
  8. gpsman

    gpsman Road Train Member

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    Originally Posted by gpsman: If you drive like everyone else, you're doing it wrong.

    Ad hominem is not a valid argument. I'm not anti-trucking, I'm anti-stupid. I left because I felt the 14 hour rule rendered me too tired to drive safely. YMMV.
     
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  9. x#1

    x#1 Road Train Member

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    nah,no need to reference either as gpsman is generally gracious enough to verbally structure his posts in a manner that allows those of us with the knowledge of a 12 year old to comprehend his replies.I just do not think that he would try to post over our heads as he promotes,subliminally so,reading with comprehension.

    I certainly appreciate it.
     
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  10. Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

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    Experience is no indicator of comcompetence I can agree with that. I've seen some 30 year veterans who are as dangerous a newbie. I've also seen some newbie's that because of thier good attitudes that are as safe as they can be. Being safe is in a drivers head. His decision making and critical thinking skills are what what keeps him and all that come into contact with him safe.


    I'll choose to not comment on the rest of your post. We aren't gonna agree , I'm comfortable leaving it at that.
     
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  11. Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

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    I wasn't responding to you , But , since you asked..........To answer your 1st question..... neither is , at those speeds 64 or 74 mph reaction time isn't a factor. ( you're talking milliseconds of difference ) 2nd part , again no difference , at those speeds damage will be extensive and usually fatal.

    As to giving you an example of when speeding is a safer solution than following posted limits , I never implied/or suggested that it was. I agree that most , if not all driving issues can be solved simply by slowing down. My point was SPEED KILLS.....and it's the drivers choice to make as to whether or not he is going to speed.
     
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