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75 makes me really uneasy. For many, that may indeed mean that 85 is now the "slow" speed. I try to stick between 70 - 75 now (right lane, of course ... I know better) and get dirty looks at it is! And when driving in the rain, the speed some are going now is really scary. Many do NOT interpret a slick, rainy road to mean "slow down a little". Many plow on they normally do.
I don't think 540 needs another increase. Stretches of desolate road like I-40 from Clayton to Wilmington would be fine at 75 though.
And I still don't think the average speed on 540 has increased, every day I seemingly get behind people who won't go over 65! I see a few cars blow by at 80+, but that's always been that way. And 90% of the time, I can profile the person before I can see who they are!
Studies show that the biggest change when increasing the speed limit is a reduction in speed violations - in other words, people don't keep going faster, the speed limit is just more in line with what people are driving. Yes, there are always outliers, but most folks will just be happier for the higher limit that is more in line with their comfort.
I was on 540 yesterday, cruise set on 73. I was in the middle lane, not heavy traffic. There was a Raleigh PD in the right lane behind a few other cars all doing under 70mph. Two cars in front of me started coasting, slowing down from the low 70s, and I had to switch to the left lane and pass them, at the same time we were all passing the cop. I honestly, don't think some people have even noticed the 70mph signs yet! And why people are so afraid to pass slow moving cop, has always amazed me! I've seen NCSHP driving down the right lane of I-40 at WELL under the limit, and 50 cars backed up behind him, afraid to pass.
I had a trooper read me the riot act and threaten me with a ticket when I went about 1 mph faster than him on Highway 70 in Lenoir county. He was in the left lane (it's not controlled access there so while a jerk move IMO, not illegal) going exactly the speed limit. A group of maybe 10 cars eased up to him and I pulled to the right just so I was not right behind the guy with 5 cars behind me.
I was pacing him for maybe 5-10 miles and at some point I got maybe a half car length past him (but not really pulling away and I had been behind him some too! Just the natural ebb and flow of two cars on the highway) and he whipped in behind me and pulled me. Told me "what was I thinking trying to pass a cop in broad daylight" "didn't I know that in NC there is no leeway and speed limits are absolute" Honestly at that point I wanted him to write me a ticket for 56 in a 55 so I could go to court but he just gave me a warning ticket. Yes he actually spent the time to write it up.
At the very least with him off the road everyone else got to go about their business in a decent fashion though!
I don't think 540 needs another increase. Stretches of desolate road like I-40 from Clayton to Wilmington would be fine at 75 though.
And I still don't think the average speed on 540 has increased, every day I seemingly get behind people who won't go over 65! I see a few cars blow by at 80+, but that's always been that way. And 90% of the time, I can profile the person before I can see who they are!
I still go 65 on 540. No real reason to go any faster.
I had a trooper read me the riot act and threaten me with a ticket when I went about 1 mph faster than him on Highway 70 in Lenoir county. He was in the left lane (it's not controlled access there so while a jerk move IMO, not illegal) going exactly the speed limit. A group of maybe 10 cars eased up to him and I pulled to the right just so I was not right behind the guy with 5 cars behind me.
I was pacing him for maybe 5-10 miles and at some point I got maybe a half car length past him (but not really pulling away and I had been behind him some too! Just the natural ebb and flow of two cars on the highway) and he whipped in behind me and pulled me. Told me "what was I thinking trying to pass a cop in broad daylight" "didn't I know that in NC there is no leeway and speed limits are absolute" Honestly at that point I wanted him to write me a ticket for 56 in a 55 so I could go to court but he just gave me a warning ticket. Yes he actually spent the time to write it up.
At the very least with him off the road everyone else got to go about their business in a decent fashion though!
I know someone who got a ticket for 37 in a 35. Showed up to court and got to watch the judge embarrass the cop and warn him to never occupy his courtroom again with such nonsense! Ticket was thrown out.
I still go 65 on 540. No real reason to go any faster.
I do too. I think 70 on 540 especially during rush hours morning and afternoon is one of the ingredients of a major traffic back up.
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