For example, on the expressway it's 55 and in some roads it's 35 then drops to 25 and then 15 around corners.
I tried going 55 on the expressway and I think I was endangering people as everyone was passing me or I'd have rows of cars behind me. The flow of traffic on the expressway is closer to 70 and on the back roads the flow of traffic is around 40, with people slowing to maybe 30 for the turn.
If you actually slowed to 15 for the light you'd have a lot of angry people behind you that missed the light. Even cops go with the flow of traffic on these roads.
So what's the reasoning behind the disconnect between the supposed maximum safe speed and the speed everyone travels?
Posted limit speeds are only for those that cannot understand the Basic Speed Law -- all States have it the same:
"No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property." -- http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/...
Once you learn what is a reasonable and/or prudent speed you never will need to look at your speedometer.
Speedometers lie, generally about 10% off. At an indicated 60 mph you will probably be going just 54 mph -- check your speed with a GPS.
I think it's because most drivers go so far over the speed limit. They have to keep the speed limit 10-15 below the fastest safe speed so that drivers going 5-10 over the limit won't be going faster than what is safe.
the speed limit signs are there for a reason - the sign is for the LIMIT, not the suggested highest mph that a vehicle can be driven, and many nincompoops, dolts, Gumbys, etc etc think that (1) they are above the laws and can drive as they want to and/or (2) they think they will not get caught for their illegal behavior............I am more than pleased to operate a motor vehicle @ 55mph, when the limit is 65 mph; I stay in the right lane and enjoy getting 40 mpg in my vehicle............for those who don't like my operation of a motor vehicle, I simply wave or give a big smile, knowing that they will be emptying their wallets at fuel stations far more often that I will !!!
Just because "everyone" ignores posted speed limits doesn't make the people right , welcome to the real world. Try going 5 mph over the limit and you should be fine.
