In a ditch?

55-58 is dangerous, every truck should be able to cruise at at least 65. you could compare this to the studies on split speed limits for cars and trucks, the findings are that a split speed kills. driving 55 miles an hour on an interstate puts all of us at risk. My truck is goverend at 68, I stay to the right whenever possible except to blow your doors off

 

I can only do 62 in mine

 

I drive Prime's equipment (company driver), so I do as I'm told. I usually drive between 53 and 55mph, loaded, empty, and in nearly every state, unless I'm in a hurry. Truck has the ability to go 62.

That said, I do tend to agree that driving 53 or 55mph can be considered dangerous. But not necessarily to the driver doing 53 - 55mph. It is more dangerous to the people behind said driver. The ones making the lane changes and such. Question is, what is MORE dangerous? Increased speed or decreased speed? What kills more? I'd have to say increased speed is more dangerous. It's a tough debate, because there really are no proven facts separating the stats.

Also, does it depend on the state? Say a Prime truck is going 55mph in a 65mph zone in Illinois. But in Utah, a US Express (or whoever) truck is running at the governor doing 65 in a 75mph zone. Are we to assume both of these trucks are equally dangerous, given they are both doing 10mph below the posted speed limit?

And like U2 stated, as long as we are going above the minimum posted speed limit, we are within legal standards. In 90% of the country, if you can't tell you are closing in on us from 1/2 mile away, you need to look past the hood of your truck when you drive. Let's face it, most of the congested areas in this country have a lowered speed limit. If the speed limit is 70mph+, you should see us from a long distance.

If somebody wants to do 68 in a 65, that is illegal. But nobody will ever complain about that. Yet, we are the bad guys for going 55 in a 65. *scratches head*

 

I run 65 in 65's, 55 in 55's (kind of) and 68 (if I'm light) everywhere else. running 53 causes congestion, anger, and road rage. But I do like seeing that Prime logo when I'm trying to get around a car that can't keep a pace. Its like I'm playing chess and using your truck to trap the queen

 

bdmose, as truckermike said. the speed is relevant, its the actions of the driver behind the wheel that cause accidents.

 

I have yet to understand how a vehicle traveling at 65-70 MPH cannot tell they are closing in on a vehicle going slower. For that matter, I don't see how any driver who is paying attention cannot tell they are closing in on a slower moving vehicle. I generally travel 5 MPH below the posted speed maximum, which is still over the minimum speed, so I am well within legal speeds.