How fast do people drive on the Freeways here? (Sacramento: dangerous, legally)

[Misty108]

On the open freeways, traveling from say, Sacramento to Vacaville or Stockton, how fast do people go? Not talking about rush hour, and I'm assuming at mid-day there isn't much traffic - or is there...? Thanks.

[prettyvacant]

I'd say 75-80. I-5 to Stockton is just 2 lanes on the most part, so it's usually slower there.

[caligirlz]

Keep in mind that people like to hog the fast lane going 3-5 mph faster than the slow lane. Be prepared for those in the slow lane coming over into the fast lane (on 99) so they dont have to merge with oncoming traffic.

[Vic Romano]

Prius? 65. All others? 70-80.

[caligirlz]

Pruis can go 80 or more, I've seen it

[49erfan916]

IMO, 99 has much more traffic, thus the traffic tends to be slower. (65-70) HWY 5, on the other hand, has less traffic and cars like to zoom there. (75-80+) And since there's less traffic on 5, there's going to be less knuckleheads on the road. I hate when people in the fastest lane go about 3 miles above the speed limit but refuse to move over when they're blocking traffic behind them. I see that ALOT on 99 but not so much on 5

[JohnS_15]

On I80 heading back and forth to Vacaville/bay area... traffic in fast lane is moving about 80mph or it's really congested and it's stop and go especially at the classic bottle neck points.

On I5 and 99 heading up and down the central valley with 2-lanes each way it sort of goes like this:
Cruising at 85mph in the fast lane until you reach some dodo going 66mph next to a large truck in the slow lane doing about 65mph. Then you get backed up passing the truck while a bunch of other dodos come flying up the inside in the slow lane and cut across in front of you thinking they will get ahead. This causes sudden braking which then really slows down the line of cars waiting to pass the truck. So you pretty much end up going back and forth between 85mph and 40mph in very dangerous busy but somewhat flowing traffic.

I hate driving both of those routes.

[caligirlz]

Originally Posted by 49erfan916

I hate when people in the fastest lane go about 3 miles above the speed limit but refuse to move over when they're blocking traffic behind them. I see that ALOT on 99 but not so much on 5

Exactly!!!

[Fearless Kid]

Originally Posted by 49erfan916

IMO, 99 has much more traffic, thus the traffic tends to be slower. (65-70) HWY 5, on the other hand, has less traffic and cars like to zoom there. (75-80+) And since there's less traffic on 5, there's going to be less knuckleheads on the road. I hate when people in the fastest lane go about 3 miles above the speed limit but refuse to move over when they're blocking traffic behind them. I see that ALOT on 99 but not so much on 5

I hate that too, but:

Tips from CHiPs: What is the speed limit for passing another vehicle? | Columnists | hanfordsentinel.com

The laws regarding speed are very clear cut. The following California Vehicle Code sections are the most commonly used sections for speed limit enforcement:

1. 22349(a) VC — 65 mile per hour speed limit.

2. 22349(b) VC — 55 mile per hour speed limit.

3. 22356(b) VC — 70 mile per hour speed limit.

4. 22350 VC – Unsafe speed (this section is used for any other speed limit not listed above).

These limits are absolute and even one mile per hour faster is probable cause for an enforcement stop. In the above scenario, the speed you can legally travel to pass the other motorist is 55 miles per hour. Although some officers may use their discretion to allow for faster speeds while passing, the California Vehicle Code does not allow for any variance in the speed limit. If you are passing at 56 miles per hour, you very well may be stopped and cited.

[TheFlats]

Left lane is passing lane, if you have cars passing you on the right chances are you're doing it wrong. Some people are just oblivious drivers or simply *******s who feel the speed that they are comfortable driving at is good enough for everyone else. Let CHP be the police; they rarely pull people over doing anything less than 80.