speed limits? (Austin, Burnet, Bee Cave: neighborhood, schools, gated)

[orngkat]

I have lived in Austin a long time so have seen a lot of changes. One of the things that really bothers me is that so many people who live here now completely ignore posted speed limits. Since there is virtually no enforcement of these speed limits, it creates a very chaotic driving experience. For example, I live fairly central and use corridor roads like Burnet, Lamar and 45th to get to work. Drivers routinely travel 5-15 miles over the posted speed limit. I am never sure if I should just keep up with them or drive the speed limit. Recently, the city changed all of the residential speed limits in my neighborhood to 25mph - what a joke! Does the speeding bother you too or do you just go with the flow? Why do people ignore posted speed limits?

[another_hot-day]

Speeders don't bother me.

Chicks who drive in the fast lane, doing 10 under the limit while fully engrossed in their mirror doing their make up bother the chit out of me!

[atxcio]

I tend to go with the flow. And I've rarely been able to travel over the speed limit on Burnet or Lamar, there is usually too much traffic and so many lights.

I would agree with lowering the speed limit on some of the twisty, scenic roads like Bee Caves and 2222. That would make them safer, more bicycle friendly, and more motorcycle friendly. The commuters would not like that much, though...

[love roses]

It bothers me, but that's just me. I just don't get what the big hurry is, unless you're in labor or bleeding from the ears heading to an emergency room And I don't mean the ones who go 5-10 over. I think 15 and more over the speed limit is too much.

[Moonlady]

You know, I don't speed as a rule, but I will go with the flow if everyone is going a bit faster. But I agree with atxcio, most of the time, the roads are too congested to go too much faster than the speed limit. If I'm plugging along at 60 on Loop 360 and someone comes up behind me, I gladly pull over and let them pass. The thing that bothers me most is that people won't go the speed limit, in the left lane. If the speed limit is 60, going 50 in the left lane is not courteous driving. That bothers me far more than the guy that wants to do 70 or 75 (I'll pull up behind him at the light anyway).

[TexasHorseLady]

It bothers me a bit (though I've been known to speed), but what REALLY bothers me is people who speed and then blame other people for going the speed limit! If you're going to speed, fine, but at least own up and take responsibility for the fact that you're the one who's choosing to break the law.

Don't go below the speed limit in the passing lane, but if someone is going the speed limit (you know, the speed over which you're not supposed to drive?), don't pretend that they're the one with the problem. I, too, pull over and let the person compensating for something by speeding go by, only to pull up next to them at the next light, and also because, hey, they'll snag any cops who might be lurking up ahead , but that doesn't mean that they aren't driving recklessly.

[jimmyjack]

Well, there's just a lot more important people goin important places to do important things than there used to be. I also think that air conditioners are a lot to blame for this. When your drivin around with your windows up it doesn't seem like you are going as fast as you really are. Roll your windows down and you at least have to slow down enough so as to not lose your hat or blow the Aquanet right out your lady's hair.

I'd like to see the city council pass a law requiring everybody to drive with there windows down within the city limits except when it is raining, temperature dips below freezing or within the confines of a car wash.

[Megan1967]

Wow. When I heard about "crazy" Austin drivers I thought that everyone down there must be going 20 over the speed limit. Personally, I speed on highways about 10 miles over the posted limit and probably at least () five in town. Really depends. I don't speed in residential areas or around schools, but main thorough fares are fair game in my book. Will I be considered a crazy woman when (if I ever get the $$ to move) I move there?

[mimimomx3]

I don't speed, and I don't feel the need for speed even if you tailgate me. I've been tailgated in the far right lane...

[purplecow1]

My biggest pet peeve is also when people drive under the speed limit in the left lane...and then they don't get out of your WAY! As a rule given to me by a defensive driving instructor, I usually drive 5-10 miles over the speed limit. Anything more than 9 miles over and you are just asking for a cop to pull you over.