American Highways have become the Autobahn amid the COVID-19 Crisis

[1MOREMOD]

There are state troopers all over here along freeway in Washington but are on a minimal contact order so I dont slow down at all they leave you alone.

[VisualEcho]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

I still think it's too much to go 120 for a sustained period of time, and 150 is absolute bonkers. This is still America at the end of the day, driver education and road quality is not the same as the Autobahn in Germany.

Again, I agree with you in general, but it depends on the circumstances. I honestly have roads around here that would make any racetrack blush. If it's a road that you travel frequently, and know well, with no traffic, and perfect conditions, then 150 isn't bad at all.

But by the same token, I've been going 85 on certain Interstates and hit dips and holes in the road like, WTF is happening here? They expect the general public to drive 70 on these roads knowing they are really to be going 75/80???

It also very much depends on the car. My old Honda S2000 took FOREVER to get to 140, whereas my old STi could do it within a half-mile.

And then there's the prudence, and control. My Exige might get to 150, but good lord the thing would be nutty, sounding like it was coming apart, and feeling like it was going to take flight. The STi could do 150 with narry an issue at all, like it was made for it.

I haven't been 150 in the M2, but my guess is that it's a pussycat there, more at home even than the super safe seam-welded brick STi.

[aerostar]

Originally Posted by VisualEcho

That's not true at all. It all depends on the conditions, and if you'll get off your high-horse for a second you'll see that's true. If the sun is on your back, there is no traffic, the road is clean/clear of debris, you're paying attention, the tires are vehicle are up to spec, etc., I don't see any reason why 150+ isn't reasonable.

Yeah, exactly the type of person that shouldn't be driving on public roads.

Do you realize how fast traffic starts pulling up to your face when you're going 140 mph?

Same as driving past stopped cars at 90MPH.

What if there's an object in the road that punctures your tire? Or you hit a decently sized pothole or rock and it destabilizes your car to the point where you're now in oncoming traffic?

There's so many more variables than just the sun at your back or "clear roads".

Tracks cost money b/c they have a high amount of maintenance for the pavement and the angles of the roads. There's also minimal bumps causing instability to your vehicle at those speeds, which isn't true of normal highway roads.

But whatever, I'm on my high horse I guess.

[VisualEcho]

Originally Posted by aerostar

Do you realize how fast traffic starts pulling up to your face when you're going 140 mph?

What traffic?

And yeah, I realize it.

Do you realize how many idiots in SUV's there are texting and driving 90 mph regularly?

Which would you rather have on your roads; a clueless idiot in a huge SUV texting and driving at 90 in normal traffic, or me in an M2 paying attention with little to no traffic, driving 140?

[aerostar]

Originally Posted by VisualEcho

What traffic?

And yeah, I realize it.

Do you realize how many idiots in SUV's there are texting and driving 90 mph regularly?

Which would you rather have on your roads; a clueless idiot in a huge SUV texting and driving at 90 in normal traffic, or me in an M2 paying attention with little to no traffic, driving 140?

An idiot at 90mph.

The amount of damage getting hit by a car going 140 mph is exponentially worse and someone driving 140mph can cause way more panic induced reactions than an idiot at 90mph.

It's fine, if and when you get pulled over just send a link to this thread I'm sure they'll be on your side and you won't be in jail.

[VisualEcho]

Originally Posted by aerostar

An idiot at 90mph.

The amount of damage getting hit by a car going 140 mph is exponentially worse and someone driving 140mph can cause way more panic induced reactions than an idiot at 90mph.

It's fine, if and when you get pulled over just send a link to this thread I'm sure they'll be on your side and you won't be in jail.

I actually don't drive like that anymore, but still maintain that I'd rather have skilled guys driving 140 and paying attention than regular people driving 90 and not.

We'll just agree to disagree.

[E93_Savage]

Easy to pull logs without going far....

[gatorfast]

Was cruising on the highway this morning and it was essentially empty, so nice. I was going around 90-100 and some vette flew by easily going 120+. No traffic so I don't have a problem with it and no one was driving erratically, just fast.

[wdb]

I don't much care if y'all want to go fast on open empty freeways. Just please keep stopping at stop signs and red lights.

[jeffm4688]

I live in metro NY in the land of the 55mph speed limit on highways and the normal speed limit was usually 72-75 where some would do 80-85 but run a higher risk of being pulled over. Driving around the past few days as driving is my version of walking/running/etc and I notice I've passed cops doing 80 and they don't even flinch, but at the same time, everyone is doing 85-90-90+ as there is no one on the road.

I don't mind if someone flys past me doing 120+ in a quick pull or something vs all the typical assholes who prior to this on a busy highway during rush hour would be doing 80+ weaving in and out of traffic missing everyone's bumper by 3 inches.

[fastboatster]

I think that when Coronavirus speeding becomes a problem- i.e., some crashes happen, then leos will figure out how to pull people over and write them up without contact. I think that in some states they don’t have to have you sign on a citation as long as another officer witnesses that you got it. So they’ll just work in pairs. Announce that you got a ticket, tack it to you side window and off they go.
All it takes is a couple of crashes for enforcement to tighten up significantly.

[Germanauto]

LA freeways now look like those of a normal metropolis on weekends...light-to-medium volume of cars but generally clear without slow downs. It took a global pandemic to make this place look like a normal city.

More cops than usual out. Most people are still traveling under 80 but I'm sure the ones being caught are the outliers. There was one douchenozzle hiding at the bottom of a hill on PCH.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by aerostar

Do you realize how fast traffic starts pulling up to your face when you're going 140 mph?

What if there's an object in the road that punctures your tire? Or you hit a decently sized pothole or rock and it destabilizes your car to the point where you're now in oncoming traffic?

There's so many more variables than just the sun at your back or "clear roads".

Strong points for sure. 140mph can easily be handled by the majority of German cars, but there are so many variables out of our control. I've noticed that even when I go 90 people are unaware and start coming into my lane as I'm passing. People will not notice a car moving much faster than the flow of traffic when they check their blind spots.

That combined with the risk of reckless driving charges, arrest, etc. keep me from going too crazy. I have a bit of a lead foot but rarely ever go faster than 85, there's too much to lose.

[5.M0NSTER]

Originally Posted by aerostar

Yeah, exactly the type of person that shouldn't be driving on public roads.

Do you realize how fast traffic starts pulling up to your face when you're going 140 mph?

Same as driving past stopped cars at 90MPH.

What if there's an object in the road that punctures your tire? Or you hit a decently sized pothole or rock and it destabilizes your car to the point where you're now in oncoming traffic?

It looks kinda like this. And best part is, some countries consider this legal and perfectly normal. And I only got to about 155mph here. Hard to film faster.

The second one is full tilt till 168mph though.

[M5Rick]

I've driven through Germany on way to Poland couple times in CLK 200 Kompressor loaded up with family and baggage.Every time I pulled over 135mph wife woke up and told me told me to pull over and let her take over then when calm and close eyes again the speed would creep up.Goes without saying your car should be checked over before going at these speeds, tyres pumped up more and wheel nuts re-torqued.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by fastboatster

I think that when Coronavirus speeding becomes a problem- i.e., some crashes happen, then leos will figure out how to pull people over and write them up without contact. I think that in some states they don’t have to have you sign on a citation as long as another officer witnesses that you got it. So they’ll just work in pairs. Announce that you got a ticket, tack it to you side window and off they go.
All it takes is a couple of crashes for enforcement to tighten up significantly.

I think it will take more than pulling people over. (I'd rather have the police doing something else anyway.) I think it will take the same kind of action now beginning to be taken to force people to self quarantine; risk of strong fines and jail time.

[Ric in RVA]

I am sure closed courthouses have much to do with the far more lax enforcement.

I am in the insurance industry and we have noticed a marked decrease in accidents.

If you drive less due to covid check about shortening your miles per year and lower your rate!!!

[VisualEcho]

Originally Posted by 5.M0NSTER

It looks kinda like this.

Just so I'm clear...

A.) What you do with your car is your business, not on your case about it at all.

B.) What I'm talking about doesn't look like that at all. I'm talking about NO traffic, and if there is traffic, slowing down to a reasonable 85 mph on US highways. I'm also talking about paying ultimate attention, not filming/driving.

[5.M0NSTER]

Originally Posted by VisualEcho

Just so I'm clear...

A.) What you do with your car is your business, not on your case about it at all.

B.) What I'm talking about doesn't look like that at all. I'm talking about NO traffic, and if there is traffic, slowing down to a reasonable 85 mph on US highways. I'm also talking about paying ultimate attention, not filming/driving.

I hear you. What you're talking about is safer than what I showed, yet somehow it's still illegal.

I will say that in general people here pay a lot more attention, stay right except to pass, and get the F out the way of fast cars.

[VisualEcho]

Originally Posted by 5.M0NSTER

I hear you. What you're talking about is safer than what I showed, yet somehow it's still illegal.

I will say that in general people here pay a lot more attention, stay right except to pass, and get the F out the way of fast cars.

Yes, I didn't mean any disrespect towards you. In Germany people know the rules better, and are used to cars coming up on them very quickly. Here, if they see you coming up, a lot of times they will move out of the fast lane instead of just staying put so you can go around. People in the US just don't know how to drive, it's as simple as that.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by 5.M0NSTER

I hear you. What you're talking about is safer than what I showed, yet somehow it's still illegal.

I will say that in general people here pay a lot more attention, stay right except to pass, and get the F out the way of fast cars.

You are right, in Germany drivers are on the ball they got out of our way and we got out of the faster cars way and crossed the country so quickly via Dresden.It helps if you have your headlamps on in daytime all of the time.In Poland dipped headlamps on all the time by law.

[5.M0NSTER]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

You are right, in Germany drivers are on the ball they got out of our way and we got out of the faster cars way and crossed the country so quickly via Dresden.It helps if you have your headlamps on in daytime all of the time.In Poland dipped headlamps on all the time by law.

Yeah, headlamps help for sure. I also have family in Poland, but last time I visited was 2012. I should take the drive since i'm only 500 miles or so away now.