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In a fast car on a road trip out west, are there alot of speed traps? What are the speed limits? What kind of speed do you average?
Just curious. I like to drive fast. Think NASCAR!
But I'm a good safe prudent driver. When I'm out west, I'm just going to want to go fast...
I like to cruise as well. By Federal law the highest speed limits are 75 mph and are usually found on Interstate highways. The operating budgets for many smaller towns in the west are funded, in some measure, by the judicious application of speeding laws. If you speed, you are likely to get caught. If you are really zooming, it is likely that the local sheriff will impound your vehicle on the spot. There are a number of sites that post locations of known speed traps throughout the country. If you really like to zip and have the skill, check out the sites on the RTA Speed Runs page.Quote:
Originally Posted by UGAphin
Mark
Thanks for the heads up.
I don't think I would feel safe doing a 3,000 mile race... I DO feel like I would be safe in cruise control at 120 in Nevada.... Cant you see forever there? I would just slow down whenever I saw a car or anything, for safety. Whats the word on radar detectors?
watch out in Nevada. Everytime I've taken US-80 across the state there has been lots of Nevada Troopers on the road. They take it serious too. My dad has gotten multiple tickets..with a radar detector no less. Not sure how much US-50 is patrolled. Also the 2 times I've driven from Vegas to St. George I've seen speed traps. The one good thing is, there system is slow that my dad's last ticket never even came through to effect his insurace.
Are you sure 75 mph is a federal law? I know back in the mid-90's when the 65 mph restrictions were lifted Montana went back to their "reasonable and prudent" system. Montana changed to a 75 mph speed limit around 2000,Quote:
Originally Posted by Editor
Roadtrip trivia: Only 2 states west of the Mississippi (not including AK or HI) still have a 65 mph maximum speed limit on rural freeways. Anyone know which 2?
Must be a new law. Anyways, if the speed limits are strictly enforced I will probably be keeping the speed down.
You are technically correct. There is no "Federal" speed law that affects anything other than federal land. But if the states wish to participate in using Federal highway maintenance dollars, they have to enforce this 75 mph max rule.Quote:
Originally Posted by imported_Midwesterner
Hmmm. OK I will take a stab: Oregon and Arizona?Quote:
Originally Posted by imported_Midwesterner
Mark
You can always find areas where the enforcement is lax -- I too, like to push the envelope a bit, from time to time. Be responsible, be safe, drive within your skill-set and you will have no problems.Quote:
Originally Posted by UGAphin
It is popular these days among some folks to suggest that only roadtrips on two-lane highways are "good." That slowing down is somehow better than zipping along. Both driving styles have their place. Personally I love the interstate system, where it is possible to zip along and enjoy the sensation of speed and still enjoy panaromic views. You can find those places on two-lane roads too -- just be careful and mindful of rural drivers who might be enjoying their right and preference to mosey at 45 mph or so...
And there is a technical reason for driving at the posted speed zone as explained here by Uncle Bob.
Driving in the west, in general and in Nevada, in particular is fun -- but there are some hazards and a closing speed of 120 mph with a range cow, snake or tumble weed can be hazardous. Plus, the road surface -- for the most part -- makes travel in excess of 80 mph a bit fool-hardy. Plus there is clear-air wind shear in the desert air and sudden vortex down-drafts that you can not see (at any speed) and it is darn easy to go airborne and into a ravine where no one will see your vehicle for days, or maybe years. So, keep it in the lane and enjoy the ride.Quote:
Originally Posted by UGAphin
I "have a friend" who quite often covers 100 miles in an hour on stretches of US50 in Nevada, you have to watch out for cows! It's not heavily patrolled except near the towns, do not speed near the towns, they will be waiting for you, not even 5 over in town. I80 is much more heavily patrolled and worthless anyway in Nevada, nothing to look at almost all the way. Do not speed in Washington State, they are on a real enforcement kick, they even have billboards everywhere emphasizing that speeding is illegal.Quote:
Originally Posted by UGAphin
Does anyone know about law enforcement in Canada?
I'm also planning on driving across from Vancouver to Toronto, and there will probably be some long open stretches along that route.
I'm not talking about 120, that was a joke. If I ever hit 120, it won't last more than 10 seconds, and its only in very special situations. I'm talking about maybe 80 or 85. Or faster if its safe. Has anyone driven that stretch?
Oregon is right, but Arizona's 75 mph.Quote:
Originally Posted by Editor
Iowa is actually the other one, but that's changing next month. They've decided to raise it to 70 effective July 1 - Wahoo!
Sorry you had to edit my previous post, I only ment the racetrack comment as a joke playing off a previous "Nascar" reference.
Ha, I love NASCAR.
And, strangely enough, I truly believe that my interest in NASCAR has made me more interested in road trips, and has made me a better driver.
I don't remember where you are from, but if you are a USA citizen and a royal mountie pulls you over for speeding -- better get ready to dig deep for any bill and coin of the realm you have. Speeding is not tolerated (at least when committed by Americans) and unlike the post about Nevada's DMV system -- if you get a ticket in Canada, your insurer in the states will know about it before the ink is dry on your ticket!Quote:
Originally Posted by UGAphin
I have driven it a few times -- slow down...Quote:
Originally Posted by UGAphin
You've driven it? What is the road like?
I am ridiculously anxious about this trip, I want it to be here now..
We have a lakehouse in Canada, so I am there every summer.
I believe you about the law enforcement. One downside of the large Canadian government is that it is underfunded. They are penny pinchers. They charge amazing amounts of money for small things.
Example: They just came up with the brilliant idea of making everyone get 'pleasure craft' boating liscenses. No big deal right?
They charge $40 for the 10 page paper guide you have to study, and $40 more to take the test. If you fail, you don't get your money back. Its absurd. I hate big government... Beautiful country. But I'm sure the cops are licking their lips when they see some Americans zooming through Manitoba.
Oh goodie, I am only half aware... Interesting about Iowa -- thanks for the trivia test!Quote:
Originally Posted by imported_Midwesterner
It was an innocent remark -- but I felt I needed to tone down the rhetoric a bit -- As you know, I have feelings about the necessity of playing nice on this forum.Quote:
Sorry you had to edit my previous post, I only meant the racetrack comment as a joke playing off a previous "Nascar" reference.
We want to ensure that this place offers a safe place to ask what some might consider rude and/or dumb questions as they relate to roadtrips in North America. It is better to make a judgment mistake here in the virtual realm than doing it IRL out there. At the same time, I want everyone to strive for cordial relations whenever we can. Hence the editing. Everyone can get a little steamed from time to time -- it is part of the passion with which all of us bring to road trips! ...And that is a good thing!
Mark
Just to be sure, we are talking about driving across from Vancouver to Toronto? I haven't done the whole route in one trip, I have driven sections of it. It is like much of Northern USA -- gorgeous in the mountains, long sweeping distances in the plains and fascinating cities in the east. Syv, a long-term contributor shares some tidbits about this route here .Quote:
Originally Posted by UGAphin
Sounds about normal to me (getting excited about a road trip!Quote:
I am ridiculously anxious about this trip, I want it to be here now..
The thing to remember, is that it is ALL a matter of perspective. Canadians think the same kinds of things about the USA government (and I think, in general they are correct. Official treatment of Canadian citizens by certain USA officials in certain regards is appalling rude when it comes to traffic citations and other related issues).Quote:
I believe you about the law enforcement. One downside of the large Canadian government is that it is underfunded. They are penny pinchers. They charge amazing amounts of money for small things.
I don't know. I kind of admire that level of silliness. Pretty good circular system.Quote:
Example: They just came up with the brilliant idea of making everyone get 'pleasure craft' boating liscenses. No big deal right?
They charge $40 for the 10 page paper guide you have to study, and $40 more to take the test. If you fail, you don't get your money back. Its absurd.
Mark
RE: speeding in Nevada. Just wanted to remind folks that they do a lot of air patrol there. The worst speeding ticket I ever got occurred on Veteran's Memorial Highway, issued by the Town of Beatty. Three of us were whooping it up on the smooth, flat road with virtually no traffic on it. We failed to notice the airplane markings on the highway. Next thing we knew, way up ahead....and I do mean way up ahead....we saw 3 cop cars pull into position to pull us over. Busted big time!
And contrary to previous statements, it immediately showed up on my own state's driving record.
I also tried to pay off the ticket in installments at $10 per month, then $20, then I got a letter from my own state's licensing department informing me that if I didn't pay the ticket in full within the next 30 days that I would have my license suspended. Oops....I guess that wasn't such a good idea.
Well, let's just say that I no longer whoop it up quite so much when traveling through places like Nevada. Bummer!
I've done some pretty fast driving out west, usually in the deserts ... but I'm just lucky I wasn't caught, because there were a few near misses. Like mentioned in previous post, look out for light aircraft, and what surprised me was the cops sitting behing big rocks or billboards on the meridian (that doesn't happen in England, where most roads are now littered with big brother speed cameras).
They seem to be pretty hot on trapping you in road works (where fines are doubled in California), so that's one place not to exceed the stated limit. What you can't account for are the unmarked cars, watch out for Crown Victorias cruising at a dstance where you can't make out who's driving, but keeping pace with you and waiting until you've broken the limit for a couple of miles, then they pull you over.
I was warned once and had a few cops gesture to slow down, but never got a ticket ... they were ok with me, just emphasised the need to keep the speed down.
You're generally ok to speed at night, because they don't operate radar traps then. Also try not to be the first or last car in a pack of speeders, they quite often target these first, and never admit you were racing another car as they'll likely arrest you.
The disconcerting thing I found driving on single carriageway roads (one lane each way) was when overtaking a big truck ... the car you thought was miles away seems to be right upon you quicker than you ever expect, this can lead to some heart stopping moments. When there are no buildings or trees at the side of a long open road it's easy to lose perspective of speeds and distances because there's nothing to gauge them by. You can easily creep up to 100mph and swear blind it feels like 60mph - but two cars approaching each other at these speeds means you aren't going to walk away if you really screw up on judgement passing a truck line that seems to last forever. Sometimes I felt it was safer just to wait for a divided highway section to pass and just cruise in the pack ... less tiring and safer.
Lots of great advice here, thanks to everyone.
I'm sure I will cruise through the west at a reasonable speed, and perhaps I will hit unreasonable speeds for fun a couple of times when the moment is right. But I'll make sure there are no cars on the road, no cop hiding spots, and no airplanes following me.
I believe all states double traffic fines in construction areas, not just California. At least I know I've seen it in numerous states I've been in.
As for speeding....I can't help myself. If I'm on a good road, with virtually no traffic, I can't help but go for wingtime. (Wingtime = my car has a spoiler that automatically comes up at 93mph). I just try to use good judgement. If there's no markings on the road for air patrol, I will take my chances for short spurts. On roads with little traffic, I figure the odds are greater that there won't be any speed traps or lurking patrols. So far, except for that Nevada incident, this has served me well.
When cruising on a busy highway, I often try to get in a pack of fast-moving cars and go with 'em. I agree that being in the middle can work good. But I actually prefer this option: I will lag behind them maybe 10-15 car lengths. I figure that most cops will be hidden up ahead somewhere so I hope that they will take off after the first cars and, therefore, I will see 'em pull out ahead of me and know to slow down.
I think a few of the main things I would suggest in order to speed relatively safely are: (1) make sure your car is up to it, especially tires; (2) only do it if the roads are dry and visibility is clear; and (3) no weaving in traffic. If you have to change lanes a lot, you are definitely increasing your changes of getting a ticket AND of causing an accident. Only do it if you can cruise along in the left lane without having to change lanes much, if at all. Caveat: Only stay in the left lane if you aren't blocking speedier traffic behind you. If someone comes up going faster than you, you need to make sure you get out of their way.
Have fun!