Why do people become unhinged when you drive exactly the speed limit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's your stupid Tesla not the speed op.

I drive a Ford Explorer for my job and get the same reaction as OP. I drive the speed limit everywhere. People are batshit. I assume the crazy drivers are drunk or on drugs.

[Anonymous]

OP you have two issues. First of course is the Tesla, second is failure to understand that the posted speed limit is like the sticker price on a car, it is a suggestion not a definitive statement.

[Anonymous]

Most people drive at speeds they find comfortable for conditions. In good weather, in daylight, those are often higher than the posted limits. There is a point at which speed above posted limits becomes reckless/dangerous, but 10-15 over is rarely that. So, people blocking the road by slavishly adhering to posted limits when it's clearly possible to safely move faster are merely either overly cautious, or are self-righteous. They encourage road rage, which is not thereby justified, but is a foreseeable consequence of such inconsiderate behavior which presumes that what one wants to do is what everyone must do.

[Anonymous]

Because it's usually the elderly who should have already given up their license that drive the speed limit. 5 miles over won't get you a ticket, set your cruise control for that.

Also, please stay to the far right if you are driving the speed limit - not park in the farthest left hand lane, which would set me off to passing you (but I'm not flipping off anyone other than in my head, because the slow poke might have a gun!)

[Anonymous]

Someone rammed my bumper and I never got it fixed. Interestingly, seeing a wrecked bumper has dissuaded tailgating by the cars behind me.

[Anonymous]

What lane are you in? That affects whether the response is reasonable. I also drive the speed limit but make sure to stay in the lane all the way to the right, unless I need to move out of the way briefly for someone to be able to merge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What lane are you in? That affects whether the response is reasonable. I also drive the speed limit but make sure to stay in the lane all the way to the right, unless I need to move out of the way briefly for someone to be able to merge.

This is considerate and sensible. Don't worry about how fast anyone else wants to drive, and don't be a rolling roadblock when that's not necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, it’s probably the speed. Although you might think you’re being a good citizen by driving at exactly the posted speed limit, the reality is that most of the roads can be safely driven on 10-15 mph above the posted limit.
I also bet you’re the type of driver that takes much longer to get up to the posted speed limit, and I’m also betting you are the kind of driver that probably sit’s at green lights for 5 seconds before moving. Driving in the area is bad enough as it is but it’s drivers like you that make the situation worse.

NP. But 20 MPH over speed limit is reckless driving in DC and VA and the fines are steep. I go with the flow, have never caused an accident, hurt anyone, flipped anyone off or driven aggressively. No speeding tickets. Very boring but safe. My adult children have the same great driving records. I enjoyed driving them to school and pointing out the A-hole drivers who - invariably - despite their anger, aggression and illegal behavior - wind up next to me at the next stop light. Always.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because it's usually the elderly who should have already given up their license that drive the speed limit. 5 miles over won't get you a ticket, set your cruise control for that.

No thanks. I’ll set it at exactly the speed limit and sometimes 5 less if the weather is crummy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because it's usually the elderly who should have already given up their license that drive the speed limit. 5 miles over won't get you a ticket, set your cruise control for that.

No thanks. I’ll set it at exactly the speed limit and sometimes 5 less if the weather is crummy.

As long as you get over and let people pass, alright.

[Anonymous]

Driving the speed limit today in the right lane and was tailgated for it. If you don’t like it, there’s s f&$king passing lane open for you.

[Anonymous]

My teenager just completed driver’s ed and the instructor would tell him how much to go over the limit on their drives. Unfortunately, it’s not always safe to drive the speed limit because it impedes the flow of traffic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My teenager just completed driver’s ed and the instructor would tell him how much to go over the limit on their drives. Unfortunately, it’s not always safe to drive the speed limit because it impedes the flow of traffic.

In some places it’s just reality. The only people driving the speed limit on Glebe are bicycles.

[Anonymous]

People that don't drive at the general speed of traffic are the ones being unsafe. If you insist on driving 55 mph on the left lane of a highway while everyone else is driving 65-70, you are the dangerous driver. And of course that enrages everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because it's usually the elderly who should have already given up their license that drive the speed limit. 5 miles over won't get you a ticket, set your cruise control for that.

No thanks. I’ll set it at exactly the speed limit and sometimes 5 less if the weather is crummy.

I’m sorry but what? If you’re setting the cruise control in bad weather that is reckless driving. Maybe not legally but it’s unsafe.