| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/10/2008 10:01:39 PM | Noooooo, pleeeeze, no more trucks!! Wait, does that mean more days off for cute truck drivers?
Just kiddin' hon...I agree, leave that speed limit alone like I said the first time. | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/10/2008 10:09:17 PM | what that means is that it will take me longer to get home
and being as we get paid by the mile less miles means less pay | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/10/2008 10:11:50 PM | I don't pay ANY attention to the speed limit!
I just clunk along in the right lane doing my 65.....and I HATE when people get behind me and honk.....that right lane has MY name on it! It's for slowpokes! And proud of it!
My ex and I were gonna try team driving.....Yes, I passed my CDL written, and had a learner's permit! I have actually driven a rig about 5000 miles, double clutching and shifting right thru 6,7,8,9 and 10! Pulling in and out of truck stops.....SCARY......
I think the reason we got a divorce is the arguments during the 'back up the rig' training.....had to practice that with NO trucks around.....for THEIR safety......LOL!
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/10/2008 10:12:53 PM | | You are absolutely right Hodgie! The going rate that I remember was......37 cents a mile?! | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/10/2008 10:42:13 PM | its at about .42 for exp company drivers now
i'm an owner operator so i'm up over 1.40 per mile | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/11/2008 8:42:01 AM | I don't want your pay baby but taking longer to get home??? No way!!!!
Did you hear that Badmustang? Stop that stuff, I'll be even lonlier if it passes...I want to see him more, not less!
Lighthouse babe...why is it I can't envision you behind the wheel of a semi? A cute little convertible yes, a semi no! | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/11/2008 9:49:36 AM | JUST REMEMBER TRUCKERS DO IT BETTER,
THEY HAVE MORE DRIVE,,, | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/11/2008 12:07:53 PM | SUN E ...you are sooo bad Thanks for sharing that info
Are you trying to advertise for Hodgie? He's off the market you know  | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/11/2008 12:52:04 PM | The guy that wants speed limits lowered did his homework. See the below excerpt from Georgia Dept. of Highway Safety's study on lowering limits, in response to your statement why speed limits were raised to lower deaths. I'd appreciate any comments back...
"Why 55 mph? Isn't this just a holdover from the gas crisis? Speed limit laws, which date back to 1901, have traditionally been the responsibility of the states. Then Congress responded to the oil shortage of 1973 by directing the U.S. Department of Transportation to withhold highway funding from states that did not adopt a maximum speed limit of 55 mph. The National Research Council attributed 4,000 fewer fatalities to the decreased speeds in 1974, compared with 1973, and estimated that returning the speed limit on rural portions of the interstate highway system to pre-1974 levels would result in 500 more fatalities annually, a 20-25 percent increase on these highways. As concerns about fuel availability and costs faded, however, speeds began to gradually climb on U.S. highways. By the mid-1980s, a substantial majority of vehicles on rural interstates were exceeding 55 mph. In response to claims that the 55 mph limit had made the United States a nation of law breakers and assertions that deaths and injuries would not increase because people were already traveling at the speeds at which they felt comfortable, Congress allowed states to increase speed limits on rural interstates to 65 mph in 1987.
Only a few states- Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island - retain 55 mph maximum speed limits on all highways. Delaware and the District of Columbia do not have any rural interstates, and Massachusetts has fewer than 100 miles posted at 65 mph. Fifty-five keeps down the proportion of vehicles traveling at very high speeds. More vehicles travel at 70 mph and faster in states with 65 mph speed limits than in states that retained 55 mph speed limits on rural interstates, which are designed for 70 mph travel only under the most favorable conditions.
What is the effect of raising speed limits to 65 mph? Higher travel speeds and more deaths. In states where speed limits were raised to 65 mph in 1987, the higher limits are causing about 15-20 percent more deaths on rural interstates each year than otherwise would be expected. Institute studies show that, in states that raised rural interstate speed limits, about 400 lives are lost each year because of the higher limits. | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/11/2008 1:16:06 PM | NO ROBIN,,,
I'VE BEEN A TRUCKER, FOR 17 YRS
JUST KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE,,,LOL
MAYBE HE CAN GET A LOCAL JOB?
WISH ALL THE LUCK!! | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/11/2008 6:05:25 PM | Thank you Sun E
BadMustang...while I don't doubt your motives are good...your study is 20 years old, doesn't address the enormous increase in drunk driving accidents which may be responsible for any new increases in highway fatalities, and also doesn't remark on the new improvements made to vehicles with regards to safety. We didn't have front and side air bags when that study was made, not to mention many of the other features, anti skid, anti lock brakes. I'm all for saving lives...I just don't see stories in the news that talk about speed ever being the major factor when it comes to fatalities on the highway.
Sorry...just my opinion. Now... how about letting me take Lighthouse babe for a spin in that convertible mustang and getting rid of some of that carbon you got built up? ....kidding just wanted to get a rise outta ya | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/11/2008 6:45:29 PM | I had to drive to Detroit Airport today to pick up my mom.. it was raining crazy.
If any of you drive a big black newer looking extended cab Chevy truck.. sorry I ran you off the road! But the guy on the other side of me was picking his nose and almost missed my exit because I was distracted making sure I really saw what I saw. And.. if any of you are the guy that was picking his nose... stop that! Big boys use Kleenex.. and on Mothers Day of all days.. I know she taught you better. | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/11/2008 6:48:45 PM | Umm, you know you can't really blame the guy picking his nose right?
Yes gross and everything else, but you have to ignore stuff like that and keep your eyes on the road.... if not just for safety sake....
Now the question is, was he eating it   | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/11/2008 7:30:58 PM | We could use a new study on traffic fatalities. The other gentleman I was addressing was quoting reasoning why in the 70's the speed limit was raised after the fuel crisis. The study presented in response wasn't 20 years old, it was recent. It relies on information gathered on the Interstate System which has been in development since the early 60's with 95% of the highways not seeing any significant improvement in design for 40 years(other than resurfacing). Having come from the automotive engineering sector and being a former firemen who responded to car accidents of the most grissly and gruesome, I believe safety tests conducted on certain vehicles have ratings equivalent to 20 years ago, due to underdesigned vehicles from weight reductions and inadequate structural features of the carbody. Albeit airbags are a protection device, they provide a false sense of security while driving. There have been recent fatalities and many of them, are SUV's. As SUV's may seem safe, they become unsafe from those who drive them. Statistically, SUV's had high crash ratings and were appropriately labelled by insurance companies who compile crash statistics. Premiums were appropriately higher. Many drivers who experienced rollovers were found to have been travelling at high rates of speed, just before the rollover they incurred. Because SUV's all have an inherent high center of gravity, it makes them unstable in cross winds and sharp directional turns and abrupt lane changes. The driving public have a responsibility to understand that SUV's have this physical property. As cars have a significantly lower center of gravity, using driving habits from cars are no place in an SUV. When SUV's become unsafe, smaller cars also become unsafe as the victim vehicle in a combined crash. The higher mass of an SUV or truck simply will destroy a small car. The bottom line is there are two vehicle designs at opposite ends of the spectrum that are high risk. The risk amplitude is significantly higher when mixed with high rates of speed. Although you may not have noticed news stories which address this topic, the public may have also become numb to this kind of news because of the false sense of security that current safety features provide. If the driving public were to adhere to speed limits as they exist, perhaps you may be right. However, a 70mph limit empowers many to drive on the average about 20% higher than posted speeds. If it meant saving your own life and/or those who ride with you, getting to a destination in a few minutes extra time seems like a decent tradeoff. Otherwise, a hurried trip might be the fastest way to one's grave and there's no coming back. I hope you support my thoughts. I encourage everyone to just think of the possibilities. All of the safety devices if employed at a lower speed limit would in fact reduce highway fatalities significantly. P.S. Robin, if you think I was bustin' your case on this subject, it was intentional... I'm trying to get a rise out of you too in hopes you'll consider speed as a killer.... We want to see you at our parties, safe and sound!!  | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/11/2008 7:35:35 PM | | Wow that was a long post. I will say one thing though. I was wondering the other day, why the federal government didn't lower the speed limit again due to the high price of oil/gas. Remember when they did it in the 70's, well it would work here too. If we lowered the limit, we would all save money and demand would fall. It's probably a Bush thing, he probably makes more money when the price is high. | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/11/2008 7:45:09 PM | | Thank you Tony. I wonder why the govt hasn't already lowered them. It shows me they aren't serious about saving fuel and lives. Most importantly, our children need to learn about speed and how it kills. As our society moves forward, it seems the younger generation has no fear. I have witnessed 4 crotch rocket motorcycles on 696 doing wheelies at 80 mph, passing me in the left lane. This is one demonstration of having no respect for human life. | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/11/2008 9:16:34 PM |
I have witnessed 4 crotch rocket motorcycles on 696 doing wheelies at 80 mph, passing me in the left lane. This is one demonstration of having no respect for human life.
Here, I tend to disagree. It's not a no respect thing, it's a stupidy thing. Just more proof that having a brain doesn't mean it's being used. | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/11/2008 10:25:28 PM | | Stop it! Just Stop it! Anyone out there who wants the speed limit lowered (once again) Stop it I am all for saving fuel and lives don't get me wrong but if you lowed the limit that will just increase traffic tickets it will not stop people from doing 80+mph on the roadways. I tend to stick around 75 mostly because cops will not bother pulling you over for a measly 5 mph, as it's not worth their time since it is a small ticket and when the speed limit is 55 mph+ there are no points added to your record. Now even at 75 I watch people blow by me doing 85+.. If they are moving that fast they are not thinking about a ticket or even the speed limit so if you drop it to 55 again instead of people doing 15 over the limit they would be doing 30 which would put more cops on the roadways to give out more tickets, at 25 over you can get a reckless instead of just speeding. With more cops giving traffic tickets there will be less available to go after the real criminals commiting real crimes. I understand many people do the speed limit or less due to saftey concerns or trying to get those extra few miles to a gallon, and thats fine as many have said thats what the right lane is for, if you plan to go faster then move to the other two lanes. We need more respect on the road not lower limits. | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/12/2008 1:53:18 AM | | I agree with you, the right lane is a slower lane and should be considered that. I disagree with you that the limit is ok as posted. Unfortunately, the abuses of the few put the needs of the many at significant risk. If you have a concern and passion for highway safety, contacting your elected Congressman with your thoughts isn't a bad idea. | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/12/2008 2:34:28 AM | If one of your loved ones was killed by a driver speeding, would you think differently or accept the loss of a parent, child, or relative as the norm? Michigan drivers, like many in other states, are out of control. Driving attitudes and behaviors have changed. See the comments made by the original posting of this thread at the beginning for some insight.
Here are some facts taken verbatim from NHTSA's website:
1. In 2006, speeding was a contributing factor in 31 percent of all fatal crashes, and 13,543 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes.
2. For drivers involved in fatal crashes, young males are the most likely to be speeding. The relative proportion of speeding-related crashes to all crashes decreases with increasing driver age.
3. Speeding was a factor in 30 percent of the fatal crashes that occurred on dry roads in 2006 and in 33 percent of those that occurred on wet roads. Speeding was a factor in 55 percent of the fatal crashes that occurred when there was snow or slush on the road and in 59 percent of those that occurred on icy roads.
4. Speeding was involved in over one-third (37%) of the fatal crashes that occurred in construction/maintenance zones in 2006. | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/12/2008 5:06:50 AM | even men of the law can get out of control on a crotchrocket. i know a police officer killed, and they estimate he was going 120 miles an hour. my neighbor's son almost lost his life the same way. when his dad started listing what he fractured and rupured during the accident, i was horrified. it took nearly a year for him to heal, and he'll never be the same. SLOW DOWNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN please
as an aside, my son went to a funeral on thursday of a kid he went to school with. the kid was on a motorcycle, and a car slammed into his lane knocking him into the dividing wall and killing him. so tragic. we just all have to be observant of the motorcycles during the nice weather. | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/12/2008 5:09:03 AM | | Believe it or not,,,,,,slow poke drivers cause accidents as well. | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/12/2008 10:25:00 AM | Joanne, it's interesting and dangerous at the same time. The NHTSA website has a lot of information on motorcycle accidents if you'd like to know more about it.. What's even more daunting is, as gas prices and warm weather rise, so do the volume of bikes out there. They aren't that easy to see sometimes. Some of the bikers go nuts doing daredevil things. Conversely, slow pokes and elderly drivers cause accidents too. Depending on slow they go, it isn't unreasonable to respect the speed limit. I wouldn't expect anyone to be doing 45 on a 70 freeway, but as before, we complain about drivers who are reckless and complain some more. Then notice once a solution is offered, all the naysayers start backpaddling reasons against a solution. NHTSA say that many of the speeders are young males, and some under the influence of something. So, taking some initiative isn't a bad thing. I'm gathering data and do intend to package it and send to several key politicians asking why state and federal policymakers aren't more serious about the gas crisis, and highway fatalities. Now that's out of the bag, everyone can start sending me hate mail, lol... | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/12/2008 12:29:43 PM | that study he quoted is pretty old
the states that were mentioned as having 55 mph have been higher for a long time
it failed to mention that ohio and illinios are about the only 2 large states that are 55
and no where did it say it accounts for the increase in cars and trucks over the past 20 years
i see as many crashes in the slow states as in the fast states
the real cause if the accidents isn't the speed its the drivers not paying attention
the best way to study traffic is to go out there and drive 120,000 miles a year and see whats going on first hand
most drivers don't know the rules of the road
if they do know them they sure are not practicing them
wanna stop the deaths fix the real problem
and put on the man power to enforce the rules
Hodgie | |
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| Michigan Drivers
Posted: 5/12/2008 12:48:11 PM | [quote} that study he quoted is pretty old
Here is the link to 2008 reports which I wouldn't consider old: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/
Once there, on the upper left column, click on the hotlink, "Newest Studies and Reports"
Help me out. Please point to where the study is as quoted, being old. Also, please hotlink the place that it says the real cause of the accident is the driver not paying attention, and that the report does not account for traffic volume increases.
Your last statement regarding additional enforcement manpower would be the objective so I agree with you there. I agree rules of the road are an issue. The problem is not so much drivers have a understanding the rules as you say, but moreso drivers don't "respect "the rules. Perhaps we should include recertification for everyone on a periodic basis.
P. S. I had a job once driving 70,000 miles/yr. for 17 yrs straight. Close enough for an education on the subject. Thank you.
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