Why is California's speed limit set at 55?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by ThisisMeUsee, Dec 28, 2018.

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  1. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    People, it's been that way since biblical times ! Not sure why, speed limits for 4 wheelers have been raised, but not trucks. Cal trans does studies and they recommend 55 always. CHP also has a big say in the matter. Consider all the truck traffic too.
     
    Allow Me., Dec 28, 2018
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  2. MysticHZ

    MysticHZ Road Train Member

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    55 mph and restricted to the right lane
    ... makes for an interesting game of frogger.
     
    MysticHZ, Dec 28, 2018
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  3. scottied67

    scottied67 Road Train Member

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    A few months back a supertrucker passed me at well over the 55 limit westbound on I40 in Cali, some time later I saw him upright in the median, stuck.
     
    scottied67, Dec 28, 2018
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  4. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I grew up out there and the highest truck speed limit there has never been over 55. Never will be either. Back before the interstate was built, some places were only 45 mph for trucks.
     
    kemosabi49, Dec 28, 2018
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  5. rolls canardly

    rolls canardly Road Train Member

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    If I go 55 on 80 East, (near NYC,) I would be sucked out the window
    from the vacuum of passing Trucks.
     
    rolls canardly, Dec 28, 2018
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  6. SteveScott

    SteveScott Road Train Member

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    Yes is sucks for us truck drivers, but it's also 55 for any vehicles with 3 or more axles. So cars and trucks towing anything are also limited to 55, and it's amazing how many of them don't realize it. I see weekend warriors with their boats and RV's pulled over constantly for speeding.
     
    SteveScott, Dec 28, 2018
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  7. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    I remember the day THAT happened. In response to the Arab oil embargo in the early '70's Richard Nixon declared that the national speed limit was 55 mph for everybody. Gas prices went from about $0.45 to over a dollar. Gas stations were running out of gas. There were lines blocks long at stations that still had fuel.

    That first day on I-5 from Tacoma to Seattle EVERYONE was going exactly 55 mph. If you went 56 mph everyone around you gave you the stink eye, like you were a Commie traitor.

    A few days later it started getting back to normal, as far as the need for speed. Blowing doors off was 60 mph.

    Within a month it was 65 mph as the outrageous speed. About that time was when the majority of speed limit signs were changed to 55 mph. Then the troopers started cracking down hard.

    Those were interesting times. We live in interesting times right now.
     
    Lepton1, Dec 28, 2018
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  8. Badmon

    Badmon Heavy Load Member

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    You know that honestly may be a big part of the reason LA an those places have such horrid traffic. You got trucks limited to 55 not to mention the lane restrictions. Makes for a good slow crawling mess regularly. That's at least the conclusion I've come to for this cluster***k we call traffic in the metro Atlanta area
     
    Badmon, Dec 28, 2018
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  9. rolls canardly

    rolls canardly Road Train Member

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    I also remember this bit of History fondly.
    I had a 1957 VW Bug and it was miserly on gas.
    I graduated high School in 1971 and had prepped 6 months to take off on a road trip to Alaska.
    I took out pass. seat and rear seat and made plywood platform for foam mattress cut to fit to sleep on.
    If I remember right gas was 33 cents a gallon; took off with $400.00, a lot of money back then.
    Crossed Canada border, Officer said, "Where you headed?" Alaska!! "Have fun/Be safe." Wow.
    Drove up north over Great Lakes, Trans Canada Highway, Alcan, to Fairbanks in 11 days.
    Was a place on the Alcan 1,300 mile gravel Highway with no gas between like 300 mile stretch.
    You literally went until almost out, fill up with a can, and continue.

    I was 18 and I owned the World.
    Then came home, bought a house, got married, got a "Station Wagon," and reality kicked in.
     
    rolls canardly, Dec 28, 2018
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  10. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Hahaha instant justice is always a great way to brighten ur day up
     
    D.Tibbitt, Dec 28, 2018
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