do you support an 85 mph speed limit?

Agree with AZ (for once). There is always a fair bit of traffic between Buffalo and Syracuse, and though the "sightlines" are fairly better there than east of Syracuse, I am always running up on drivers and trucks when I'm driving 80 on that freeway. Due to the couple of tickets I've accumulated on that road, I don't drive faster than that on that freeway now. From Syracuse eastwards, I can't see doing 85 safely on some of the curves without running into a truck or something.

And on I-86/17? Are you nuts? That road is so windy. There are some sections where it would be safe to do that speed, but overall, no.

The speed limits should be 85 in Colorado, at night, in the mountains, during snow. Oh wait, I was just remembering one of my least fun driving experiences. (that was the day I had been driving all day anyway and elected to pass on the first motels. I was sleepy, but man I was alert for that bit of travel and would never pass up a motel on that route again like that)

I don't know. I must be way out of tune with the majority. From Buffalo to Syracuse, the only place to me that gets a little sketchy are from the Buffalo toll to Pembroke (city traffic still congested, sometimes) and the 390 merge from Rochester where it does that weird 3 or 4 lane spread for a mile before remerging. And I've never had the truck issue either, they're always doing at least 70 in the right lane, and if they go to merge, they're 8 feet wide and 11 feet tall. I've yet to not notice one. And of course, if the limits 85, they'll be doing 85 too which will eliminate the running up on them.

Traffic aside, I don't see what's so severe about the curves or the sightlines. On a reasonable day i.e. no snow or torrential rain, if you could find one car that couldn't handle any one of those turns at 100 I'd eat my hat.

Am I nuts? I've been called worse, I suppose. If you're saying I-86 is too windy for 170, then you're damn right it is =). But again, although the turns are more intense than I-90, it's not the Dragons Tail. That 105mph fuel mileage test run in my 5,000lb Dodge was also done on I-86, and done on the windy section that hugs the Oh:iyo on the Seneca Reservation. Was it extreme? Hardly. I wasn't pressed against the door from the G's, nor where my wheels groaning in protest, and that Dodge certainly wasn't made to carve up the roads. I dunno, I'm not saying 85 would be prudent, and in an 18 wheeler or in adverse conditions it shouldn't even be thought of. I guess I'm just surprised at what people consider 'crazy'.

Of course I am biased and pushing my own agenda. If I were to look at this objectively, I can honestly say I see where an increase of speed may be an issue. Me with my thousands of hours of experience and years of studying driving isn't the same as the newly issued teenage girl, old Aunt Betty, or the trucker on hour 34 of his cross country trip. To truely determine if it would be better, you'd have to do in depth research that a poster alluded to earlier. But, looking at it only through my eyes, I'd welcome the change. A little boogity-boogity a day keeps my blues away.

Here you go, Face.

Quote: Face

Traffic aside, I don't see what's so severe about the curves or the sightlines. On a reasonable day i.e. no snow or torrential rain, if you could find one car that couldn't handle any one of those turns at 100 I'd eat my hat.

It isn't the car handling the curves but rather what is on the other side of the curve that is the problem. Some places you cannot see half a mile in front of you.

Quote: rxwine

Here you go, Face.

When and where, rx? When and where =)

Quote: AZDuffman

It isn't the car handling the curves but rather what is on the other side of the curve that is the problem. Some places you cannot see half a mile in front of you.

But we're talking highways, right? There's no cross trafic or red lights to worry about. Yeah, in high-metro areas like LA where traffic comes to a stop unannounced, it would be an issue. But a half mile is about 2,300 feet. Any idea how fast your average grocery getter would have to be going to not be able to stop in 2,300 feet?

Quote: Face

Quote: rxwine

Here you go, Face.

When and where, rx? When and where =)



But we're talking highways, right? There's no cross trafic or red lights to worry about. Yeah, in high-metro areas like LA where traffic comes to a stop unannounced, it would be an issue. But a half mile is about 2,300 feet. Any idea how fast your average grocery getter would have to be going to not be able to stop in 2,300 feet?

It isn't about just the one car. Stand on the brakes and even a very basic car will stop from 75 in 200 or so feet, probably much less. But you can't just always stomp the brakes on an interstate. Doing so causes a big chain reaction. This is the last I have to add to the subject w/o repeating myself. I've driven between NY and LA. SC to MA. I've seen the different road conditions. Based on that, a speed limit of > 70 MPH east of OK or western MO is pushing it. West of there in rural areas 75-85 is no problem.

Very true. I'm not trying to rile you AZ, just stating my admittedly biased opinion. You've probably logged more miles and have more experience than even I. Between that and just common respect, I wouldn't say your 'wrong'. I just have a different opinion. I have lots of disputable opinions just like this, including my wish to have salt abolished for use on the roads. Rest easy, I shant be Governor or POTUS any time soon. ;)

No worries, I rarely take anything online personally. Not trying to brag about all the places I have been. Just saying before I drove in the west I didn't think there was much difference either. But after 2-3 times of "going with traffic" and wondering why the hood was shaking so bad then realizing you are doing near 100 a person sees the difference. Yes, that happened. But I was on my way to play poker at the casino. No, not making any of that up :-)

Wound her up to 110, my spedometer said I hit top end. Had my foot glued like lead to the floor. That's all there is, there ain't no more!

Quote: AZDuffman

No worries, I rarely take anything online personally. Not trying to brag about all the places I have been. Just saying before I drove in the west I didn't think there was much difference either. But after 2-3 times of "going with traffic" and wondering why the hood was shaking so bad then realizing you are doing near 100 a person sees the difference. Yes, that happened. But I was on my way to play poker at the casino. No, not making any of that up :-)

Wound her up to 110, my spedometer said I hit top end. Had my foot glued like lead to the floor. That's all there is, there ain't no more!

Made it in time, I walked thru the door, got me some chips, said 'hi' to the Floor. Today's MY day, this is gonna be it, deal me them cards, 7-2 off. Shit! =D