I always wanted to ask this and finally remembered - are speed limits always correct?

Correct.

We are supposed to be professional enough to read the road before the problem happens.

In a decent car I can take any turn at 10-15 over the posted speed.
In a big rig, 5-10 under is the better rule.

 

You can never be "overcautious". Just remember, it's your rig and your responsibility to be a safe and professional trucker. Don't let any body discourage you from doing what you feel is the right and safe thing to do.

I don't care who's behind me if I'm taking a curve way too slow under the speed limit. It's my load that I don't want shifting and the Jackwagon behind me flashing their lights are not going to be at my destination helping me straighten up my load.

And like Moosetek13 says, read the road (tough at night though) and also look at what the vehicles ahead of you are doing.

 

More if you are a tanker or have those fluid containers in the box. I always go 15-20 below the speed limit when I'm carrying fluids like beer or liquid fertilizer in those totes(I'm guessing thats what they are called).

 

Alot of things I use in trucking I picked up from rising motorbikes and then honed more as a professional motorbike rider. Setup for the curve before you get to it, then power through, that's one of the big ones I use

 

If there using there Jake's you probably won't see brake lights.

 

What is the worst that can happen if you take it too slow?

What is the worst that can happen if you take it too fast?

Which scenario is less threatening to you, your company, your shipper, your receiver, the motoring public and the good folks of the State of Tennessee?

Arriving in one piece at your destination is always a good thing!

 

As your skill level comes up so too will your comfort level rise. I would say it is a sign of wisdom that you are concened with this topic.

 

There ain't no curve in that area that is dangerous. Interstates have to maintain certain consistent arcs/grade on curves that conforms to the current speed limit. There are standards to follow when building an interstate. If it's a hazard then it has to reduce the speed limit and or post a yellow caution sign.

You won't have a curve like you see on some ramps where it might tighten up increasing your sideward G's.

The whole idea of a suspected dangerous curve is to brake before the curve and accelerate out of it. The steering wheel should not have to be moved if you negotiated the curve properly. You can straighten a curve out. Taking it wide and correcting will get you in trouble.

When in doubt, slow down. Don't monkey see monkey do. They have more experience.