[Soviet]

Land Line Magazine: The Business Magazine for Professional Truckers

What do y'all think of this?

[AuburnAL]

Hate it. They should do away with speed limits on highways altogether.

[dijkstra]

I hate it as well. All it will do is open the door for all the little podunk towns to set up speed traps all along the interstates. It will be like Henry county Georgia where their county cops hide behind every concrete barrier they can find in hopes of writing speeding tickets and stuffing the city revenues. Because of this habit of theirs, I make it a point to never ever stop at an exit in Henry county GA on my way through as to prevent giving them any tax revenue. If Alabama passes this law and the little towns start their speed traps, I will start adding them to my list of non-stops.

I also think the speed limits on Interstates are too low. The average speed has and always will be around 80-85. Study after study has shown that this is the speed most drivers feel comfortable on interstates and that is why the average speed is in this range. It also happens to be the speed for which interstates are designed. In my opinion, the speed limit should be raised to at least 80 but I would prefer 85 and then pass a nationwide, stay right and pass on left law where drivers are only allowed to pass slower traffic in the left most lane and then must move right. Then enforce the d@mn thing. They have this law in some states now, including Florida but they don't enforce it. Cruising in the left lane, impeding other traffic flow leads to frustration and erratic driving by other drivers who want to move on, which leads to accidents.

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by dijkstra

I also think the speed limits on Interstates are too low. The average speed has and always will be around 80-85. Study after study has shown that this is the speed most drivers feel comfortable on interstates and that is why the average speed is in this range. It also happens to be the speed for which interstates are designed. In my opinion, the speed limit should be raised to at least 80 but I would prefer 85 and then pass a nationwide, stay right and pass on left law where drivers are only allowed to pass slower traffic in the left most lane and then must move right. Then enforce the d@mn thing. They have this law in some states now, including Florida but they don't enforce it. Cruising in the left lane, impeding other traffic flow leads to frustration and erratic driving by other drivers who want to move on, which leads to accidents.

I couldn't agree more with this. Highways are designed for high speeds. Those that want to cruise around lazily should do so on the right lane and enter the left ONLY to pass. (They should preferably/ideally use back roads if they aren't in a hurry).
As for the OP's article, I strongly disagree with it and I hope the bill does NOT pass. This will be abused by probably all rural small towns that want extra revenue. I-20 between Birmingham and the Alabama State line is bad enough!

[Soviet]

80 mph, ironically, is the same as the 130 km/hr speed limit on the German autobahn. And they have a far smaller highway fatality rate than we do. Coincidence or not?

Just something to think about, I guess.

[Shalako]

It will be a disaster. This will result in a series of speed traps from one end of the State to the other. Given the economics and spending habits of all Municipalities traffic fines have become their pot of Gold. Tennessee has experienced near fights between State Troopers and locals over who gets to issue tickets.

[Ynot]

Yep, looks like it will be open season for speed traps with the legislature's blessing. I would think local enforcement officers should have enough to do without trolling the interstates for sources of revenue. If they don't, then there's an idea to save money.....cut those jobs.