Nevada, before the 55 mph Fiasco, had no speed limits on many roads. It was the only state before the Fiasco to have no speed limits.
Speed doesn't kill!
- Thread starter zloveraz
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The 55mph speed limit was awesome......
...when I was 15 and my license limited me to one of these:
55mph was about the limit of reasonable cruising speed. You could twist it open wide for about 65mph, full tuck would indicate exactly 70 which was the redline on the speedo for 5th.
and I wanted an MB5 which had a top speed of 55mph. I'm glad now the used 125 was cheaper than the new 50.
55mph meant I could go anywhere. In the right lane of course. People were still doing 70.
...when I was 15 and my license limited me to one of these:
55mph was about the limit of reasonable cruising speed. You could twist it open wide for about 65mph, full tuck would indicate exactly 70 which was the redline on the speedo for 5th.
55mph meant I could go anywhere. In the right lane of course. People were still doing 70.
This is a history lesson, not a political statement: A Representative named Jim Jones commissioned a scientific study to determine the best speed limit for the United States after the oil embargo by OPEC in 1973. The scientists came back with the conclusion that 65-75 mph would be a reasonable speed limit. Well, Rep. Jim Jones made a few changes since he was Chairman of the committee that assigned federal funds for highways, and he became the "father" of the 55 mph law. The law was signed by President Nixon just before he left office in 1974. Rep. Jim Jones stayed in congress long enough to see his "55" mph law rescinded and thrown in the trash. He predicted dire consequences, but that did not happen. My youth was wasted by such nonsense. Noncompliance, by drivers, of observing the 55 reached all time highs above 80%, in some states around 85% before the speed limit was rescinded.
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
The Germans have more Draconian traffic and vehicle laws
Such as?
The Germans have more Draconian traffic and vehicle laws
Such as?
I like the statement speed doesn't kill. In a lot cases it's stupidity that kills.
I agree. I just don't like the way he trashes cops.
Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
The Germans have more Draconian traffic and vehicle laws
Such as?
You have to have the right "warning triangle". Many times you will have the wrong "warning triangle" but the inspection facility will sell you the "correct" triangle. And your first aid kit has to have an expiration date. No worries, they will sell you that as well at an appropriately inflated price.
The fine for "tailgating" is the equivalent of nearly $500.00. Apparently, this is only enforced on cars with shorter width North American sized rear plates because if you're 6 car lengths behind the car in front of you at 100 km/h, you are tailgating.
The penalty for flashing your lights to encourage slower moving cars in the left lane is allegedly a serious crime. (apparently only applies to North American cars because that Porsche or BMW will light up your rearview mirror if you do not get around that truck on the right fast enough)
The Polizei can collect for traffic infractions on the spot. If you cannot pay they may impound your vehicle. Due process? NEIN!
Conversion of a Texas driver's license to German driver's license is actually very easy. But it is not so easy for all 50 states.
We were warned not to slam you car door too loud. That was also an infraction.
don't know anyone that was actually cited for that.
At least it's not like France where you can be fined for not carrying all the bulbs your vehicle takes in your vehicle and a breath analysis kit and there aren't as many enforcement cameras as the U.K. Honestly, some of the cars I deal with on a day to day basis that pass our safety and emission inspection should be taken off the road like they would be in a German TUV inspection, but it is pretty strict compared to the US or Canada.
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
The Germans have more Draconian traffic and vehicle laws
Such as?
You have to have the right "warning triangle". Many times you will have the wrong "warning triangle" but the inspection facility will sell you the "correct" triangle. And your first aid kit has to have an expiration date. No worries, they will sell you that as well at an appropriately inflated price.
The fine for "tailgating" is the equivalent of nearly $500.00. Apparently, this is only enforced on cars with shorter width North American sized rear plates because if you're 6 car lengths behind the car in front of you at 100 km/h, you are tailgating.
The penalty for flashing your lights to encourage slower moving cars in the left lane is allegedly a serious crime. (apparently only applies to North American cars because that Porsche or BMW will light up your rearview mirror if you do not get around that truck on the right fast enough)
The Polizei can collect for traffic infractions on the spot. If you cannot pay they may impound your vehicle. Due process? NEIN!
Conversion of a Texas driver's license to German driver's license is actually very easy. But it is not so easy for all 50 states.
We were warned not to slam you car door too loud. That was also an infraction.
At least it's not like France where you can be fined for not carrying all the bulbs your vehicle takes in your vehicle and a breath analysis kit and there aren't as many enforcement cameras as the U.K. Honestly, some of the cars I deal with on a day to day basis that pass our safety and emission inspection should be taken off the road like they would be in a German TUV inspection, but it is pretty strict compared to the US or Canada.
Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: threeputtpar
Yep, it's the sudden, abrupt stopping that kills.
Exactly. I'm no fan of draconian speed limits or ridiculous enforcement, but to say that speed doesn't kill is patently false.
One can certainly argue that speed differential is a far bigger risk factor than speed itself. Also, too fast for road conditions is another issue. But, speed does kill. The higher the speed, the lower the survivability of a collision, end of story.
Those who don't believe it, please videotape the following experiment for me: Walk into a brick wall at 2 mph. Then, hop on a motorcycle, attain a steady state 100 mph, and hit the same wall.
Agreed.
Originally Posted By: threeputtpar
Yep, it's the sudden, abrupt stopping that kills.
Exactly. I'm no fan of draconian speed limits or ridiculous enforcement, but to say that speed doesn't kill is patently false.
One can certainly argue that speed differential is a far bigger risk factor than speed itself. Also, too fast for road conditions is another issue. But, speed does kill. The higher the speed, the lower the survivability of a collision, end of story.
Those who don't believe it, please videotape the following experiment for me: Walk into a brick wall at 2 mph. Then, hop on a motorcycle, attain a steady state 100 mph, and hit the same wall.
Agreed.
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
The Germans have more Draconian traffic and vehicle laws
Such as?
You have to have the right "warning triangle". Many times you will have the wrong "warning triangle" but the inspection facility will sell you the "correct" triangle. And your first aid kit has to have an expiration date. No worries, they will sell you that as well at an appropriately inflated price.
The fine for "tailgating" is the equivalent of nearly $500.00. Apparently, this is only enforced on cars with shorter width North American sized rear plates because if you're 6 car lengths behind the car in front of you at 100 km/h, you are tailgating.
The penalty for flashing your lights to encourage slower moving cars in the left lane is allegedly a serious crime. (apparently only applies to North American cars because that Porsche or BMW will light up your rearview mirror if you do not get around that truck on the right fast enough)
The Polizei can collect for traffic infractions on the spot. If you cannot pay they may impound your vehicle. Due process? NEIN!
Conversion of a Texas driver's license to German driver's license is actually very easy. But it is not so easy for all 50 states.
We were warned not to slam you car door too loud. That was also an infraction.
don't know anyone that was actually cited for that.
At least it's not like France where you can be fined for not carrying all the bulbs your vehicle takes in your vehicle and a breath analysis kit and there aren't as many enforcement cameras as the U.K. Honestly, some of the cars I deal with on a day to day basis that pass our safety and emission inspection should be taken off the road like they would be in a German TUV inspection, but it is pretty strict compared to the US or Canada.
You only run into places that will sell triangles or first aid kits if you don't go to the TÜV or Dekra stations, if you have it done at ATU or a private garage that offers TÜV they may try and do a sell job.
In 30 years of going to the TÜV i never had my triangle or kit looked at. Official TÜV stations have nothing to sell.
Yes the kits have an expiration date but they will not fail the car for it.
The fine for tailgating IMO is half what it should be, i wish they would add a 30 day suspension to that like they do for running red lights.
Americans are well known for tailgating, passing on the right, hogging the middle or left lane and a host of other very dangerous things!
Most tailgating monitoring is done by camera scanning marked lines usually before over passes, it could care less about the width or country of your license plate.
If your not keeping half tacho in meters you are tailgating! Your example is clearly tailgating, 6 cars say average 5 meters each = 30 meters, half tacho at 100kmh should be 50 meters.
Motor vehicle laws are strict to help prevent mass pile ups (Massenkarambolage) on the autobahns.
If your going to have no speed limits in some areas everyone has to on the same sheet of music, Germans and Ami alike, you cant have some yokel GI from east overshoe USA driving his Chevy on the Autobahn in the left lane at 90 Kmh like he is on Rt 2.
Flashing your lights on the Autobahn is forbidden and although not a serious violation will get you a ticket if you are seen by a police car. You can however get away with putting your blinker on.
If you are German or a German resident and have a properly registered address in Germany the Polizei will never fine you on the spot.
Visitors and US Military can be fined for minor infractions on the spot but more often than not the Polizei cuts them a lot of slack.
One point you left out. If the infraction is small like a low speed (15kmh or less in town) speeding ticket it is not on your record and is not surcharged by your insurance company.
Course if you have an attitude and start yakking about your rights and "we don't do that where i come from" you are probably worse than screwed, they can make life very difficult indeed but so can any cop regardless of where it is.
In the many years i worked for the Polizei system (vehicle maintenance depot and crash car inspection) i can tell you their laws while different are not much different than anyone else's. Serious violations are dealt with severely and minor stuff is just that minor and they don't bother much about it.
Slamming your door is not a violation, giving someone the finger or forehead tapping is, it can incite road rage.
Sorry i see nothing at all draconian about the German traffic and vehicle laws.
Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
The Germans have more Draconian traffic and vehicle laws
Such as?
You have to have the right "warning triangle". Many times you will have the wrong "warning triangle" but the inspection facility will sell you the "correct" triangle. And your first aid kit has to have an expiration date. No worries, they will sell you that as well at an appropriately inflated price.
The fine for "tailgating" is the equivalent of nearly $500.00. Apparently, this is only enforced on cars with shorter width North American sized rear plates because if you're 6 car lengths behind the car in front of you at 100 km/h, you are tailgating.
The penalty for flashing your lights to encourage slower moving cars in the left lane is allegedly a serious crime. (apparently only applies to North American cars because that Porsche or BMW will light up your rearview mirror if you do not get around that truck on the right fast enough)
The Polizei can collect for traffic infractions on the spot. If you cannot pay they may impound your vehicle. Due process? NEIN!
Conversion of a Texas driver's license to German driver's license is actually very easy. But it is not so easy for all 50 states.
We were warned not to slam you car door too loud. That was also an infraction.
At least it's not like France where you can be fined for not carrying all the bulbs your vehicle takes in your vehicle and a breath analysis kit and there aren't as many enforcement cameras as the U.K. Honestly, some of the cars I deal with on a day to day basis that pass our safety and emission inspection should be taken off the road like they would be in a German TUV inspection, but it is pretty strict compared to the US or Canada.
You only run into places that will sell triangles or first aid kits if you don't go to the TÜV or Dekra stations, if you have it done at ATU or a private garage that offers TÜV they may try and do a sell job.
In 30 years of going to the TÜV i never had my triangle or kit looked at. Official TÜV stations have nothing to sell.
Yes the kits have an expiration date but they will not fail the car for it.
The fine for tailgating IMO is half what it should be, i wish they would add a 30 day suspension to that like they do for running red lights.
Americans are well known for tailgating, passing on the right, hogging the middle or left lane and a host of other very dangerous things!
Most tailgating monitoring is done by camera scanning marked lines usually before over passes, it could care less about the width or country of your license plate.
If your not keeping half tacho in meters you are tailgating! Your example is clearly tailgating, 6 cars say average 5 meters each = 30 meters, half tacho at 100kmh should be 50 meters.
Motor vehicle laws are strict to help prevent mass pile ups (Massenkarambolage) on the autobahns.
If your going to have no speed limits in some areas everyone has to on the same sheet of music, Germans and Ami alike, you cant have some yokel GI from east overshoe USA driving his Chevy on the Autobahn in the left lane at 90 Kmh like he is on Rt 2.
Flashing your lights on the Autobahn is forbidden and although not a serious violation will get you a ticket if you are seen by a police car. You can however get away with putting your blinker on.
If you are German or a German resident and have a properly registered address in Germany the Polizei will never fine you on the spot.
Visitors and US Military can be fined for minor infractions on the spot but more often than not the Polizei cuts them a lot of slack.
One point you left out. If the infraction is small like a low speed (15kmh or less in town) speeding ticket it is not on your record and is not surcharged by your insurance company.
Course if you have an attitude and start yakking about your rights and "we don't do that where i come from" you are probably worse than screwed, they can make life very difficult indeed but so can any cop regardless of where it is.
In the many years i worked for the Polizei system (vehicle maintenance depot and crash car inspection) i can tell you their laws while different are not much different than anyone else's. Serious violations are dealt with severely and minor stuff is just that minor and they don't bother much about it.
Slamming your door is not a violation, giving someone the finger or forehead tapping is, it can incite road rage.
Sorry i see nothing at all draconian about the German traffic and vehicle laws.
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