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Depends on where you're used to driving, too. If you come to the US from Germany and the autobahns, you're probably going to think 80mph is way too slow.
East coast matters because road conditions and visibility distance and animal incursions are far different than in the desert west and central part of the country.
I hit a coyote at 85 mph (80 mph zone) on a clear morning on a "deserted" stretch of road in the desert in a full-sized pickup. The collision ripped the lower bumper valence off the truck, dented a thick skid-plate underneath the truck & nearly threw me out of control. The coyote was centered & hit the rear differential ("pumpkin") lifting the rear wheels off the ground.
In a smaller/lower vehicle, that collision would have damaged the bumper/core support/radiator & possibly caused the vehicle to roll, causing serious injuries. What they tell you in driver's Ed is actually true, at a certain speed - you can clearly see a hazard & not have time to move your foot to the brake, much less slow the vehicle at all - and steering won't help because you'll roll the vehicle.
The point being - you're not really "safer" in a sports car, or on a "deserted" road at high speeds. I had outstanding visibility, a well-maintained car & was driving in an area so desolate that there was only one radio station available.
Before I hit that coyote, I'd have said all the same things other posters have said, "in a corvette, 130-150mph would be totally safe".. Sometimes road hazards come to you. At speeds approaching 100mph, you're more like an aircraft pilot than a driver. Throttle, braking & steering input are more of a "suggestion" to the vehicle than a command. The wheels are on the ground for sure, but inertia means they can leave the ground pretty easy if you mess up, or if the unexpected comes to you.
I hit a coyote at 85 mph (80 mph zone) on a clear morning on a "deserted" stretch of road in the desert in a full-sized pickup. The collision ripped the lower bumper valence off the truck, dented a thick skid-plate underneath the truck & nearly threw me out of control. The coyote was centered & hit the rear differential ("pumpkin") lifting the rear wheels off the ground.
In a smaller/lower vehicle, that collision would have damaged the bumper/core support/radiator & possibly caused the vehicle to roll, causing serious injuries. What they tell you in driver's Ed is actually true, at a certain speed - you can clearly see a hazard & not have time to move your foot to the brake, much less slow the vehicle at all - and steering won't help because you'll roll the vehicle.
The point being - you're not really "safer" in a sports car, or on a "deserted" road at high speeds. I had outstanding visibility, a well-maintained car & was driving in an area so desolate that there was only one radio station available.
Before I hit that coyote, I'd have said all the same things other posters have said, "in a corvette, 130-150mph would be totally safe".. Sometimes road hazards come to you. At speeds approaching 100mph, you're more like an aircraft pilot than a driver. Throttle, braking & steering input are more of a "suggestion" to the vehicle than a command. The wheels are on the ground for sure, but inertia means they can leave the ground pretty easy if you mess up, or if the unexpected comes to you.
I've crossed the desert at high speed and have been absolutely amazed how far you can see in all directions. And although the chances are not that good that you will see that rabbit crossing the road 1/2 mile away, you are highly likely to see a bunch of larger animals.
This is as opposed to the tree line 20 feet from the side of east coast roads (and bushes even closer) where that fast moving deer will be on you before you blink an eye.
I think there is a huge potential difference in visibility; that is why I specified east coast.
Yet at the same time, I did hit a 7 foot long tumbleweed in Utah that climbed over the tall jersey barrier 1-2 seconds in front of me. Those things do more damage than I would have thought; to both my grille and to my hand when I reached in to clear it from the radiator.
My concern with animals anywhere is that the noses of my RX7s are about 12" off the ground with a nicely curved hood leading right to the windshield. It also has a slope that I would hope would protect me by pushing the animal up further and over the hood, but I think it is just as likely the critter might land where I am already seated.
A big factor in speeding is the quality of the tires. A high speed blowout would probably end in a rollover if tires are worn or not rated for high speed.
I hit a coyote at 85 mph (80 mph zone) on a clear morning on a "deserted" stretch of road in the desert in a full-sized pickup. The collision ripped the lower bumper valence off the truck, dented a thick skid-plate underneath the truck & nearly threw me out of control. The coyote was centered & hit the rear differential ("pumpkin") lifting the rear wheels off the ground.
In a smaller/lower vehicle, that collision would have damaged the bumper/core support/radiator & possibly caused the vehicle to roll, causing serious injuries. What they tell you in driver's Ed is actually true, at a certain speed - you can clearly see a hazard & not have time to move your foot to the brake, much less slow the vehicle at all - and steering won't help because you'll roll the vehicle.
The point being - you're not really "safer" in a sports car, or on a "deserted" road at high speeds. I had outstanding visibility, a well-maintained car & was driving in an area so desolate that there was only one radio station available.
Before I hit that coyote, I'd have said all the same things other posters have said, "in a corvette, 130-150mph would be totally safe".. Sometimes road hazards come to you. At speeds approaching 100mph, you're more like an aircraft pilot than a driver. Throttle, braking & steering input are more of a "suggestion" to the vehicle than a command. The wheels are on the ground for sure, but inertia means they can leave the ground pretty easy if you mess up, or if the unexpected comes to you.
In the areas where I usually drive, it's absolutely covered with deer so that kind of limits how fast to go Generally 70 MPH. I've gone faster in open stretches in other states.
I've had my share of close encounters with them on I-90, I-81, I-80, & I-79. Pretty much everyone I know in my area has ruined a car due to hitting a deer :: I've lived in a lot of states but this one has the most deer I've seen in my life.
It would also depend on the kind of vehicle I had I suppose.
Depends on the vehicle I am driving and the current cost of gas.
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: I've lived in a lot of states but this one has the most deer I've seen in my life. 
