Freeway speeds lately?

[Jalopyshoppe]

So, I'm not a usual commuter, but I run errands occasionally and go to and from Treasure Island a few times a month. I've noticed lately that the off-commute freeway speeds have made a pretty serious jump. I used to be able to settle in to the #1 Lane and roll along at 75-80mph. That speed kept me in the faster group of traffic, but not blowing by everyone.
In the last couple months, I'm seeing speeds closer to 85-90mph. If I go slower than 80, I find myself being tailgated and passed on the right.
Relevant info: most of my time is spent on 680, 24, 580, and 880.

 

[Smash Allen]

I commute in the number three or four lane going 65-70mph and get my doors blown off regularly. It boggles my mind how so many people can justify +90mph.

I fear if we don't self moderate we are headed towards insurance-monitored vehicles and automatically generated speeding tickets.

 

[Shaggy]

Hwy 4 through The Delta is the Wild West. If you’re not doing 85mph you’re a road block.

 

[SFSV650]

It's not just freeways.

A decade ago when I was getting into motorcycles and cars with some pep I would always find myself stuck behind something slower, and I would give them room so as not to be a hazard nor a nuisance.

I've only gotten faster as I get older and can afford better vehicles, but I always, always, always have someone a quarter second from my rear plate these days. Can't always tell whether it's aggression or whether someone is just on Facebook and doesn't know any better.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

I commute in the number three or four lane going 65-70mph and get my doors blown off regularly. It boggles my mind how so many people can justify +90mph.

I fear if we don't self moderate we are headed towards insurance-monitored vehicles and automatically generated speeding tickets.

Totally subjective thought, but I can't ride in the number 3 or 4 lanes. I'm always finding.myself in a truck's blind spot or unable to escape a merging Prius with a train of cars to my left. I'd prefer not to be in license suspension speeds, but I really feel more comfortable in the #1 lane going fast enough to keep most hazards coming from in front and to my left.
I've avoided riding the freeway at all with my CRF lately for this reason.

 

[Smash Allen]

Totally subjective thought, but I can't ride in the number 3 or 4 lanes. I'm always finding.myself in a truck's blind spot or unable to escape a merging Prius with a train of cars to my left. I'd prefer not to be in license suspension speeds, but I really feel more comfortable in the #1 lane going fast enough to keep most hazards coming from in front and to my left.
I've avoided riding the freeway at all with my CRF lately for this reason.

Yea I should have stipulated that I commute in a cage. When I ride it's the number 1 lane for the reasons you stated

 

[cheez]

+1. In the past four years Ive been here in the Bay it's just gotten faster. I think the improvements in vehicle production quality and safety have yielded vehicles that folks feel safer driving faster with less fear of fatal accident.

 

[clutchslip]

Hwy 4 through The Delta is the Wild West. If you’re not doing 85mph you’re a road block.

You are connected. Why isn't the CHP, et al, enforcing speed laws, currently? I know they haven't enforced other issues for awhile, like following too close and signaling for a change of direction. But speeding is usually the easy one to cite and win. Aren't the concentrated highway sweeps successful in reducing speeding?

 

[dravnx]

CHP is enforcing speeding. They just don't have that many officers on each section of freeway.
The also do sweeps. I've seen it, usually on the weekend. I'll see 3-4 CHP in a short stretch of freeway.
Remember, CHP patrols all state roads, not just the freeways.
If you're not doing at least 80 in the #1 lane, you better get out of the way or you're going to have someone ride your bumper and that may not be fast enough.
I think because there are so many more cars on the road and CHP hasn't substantially increased their number or patrols, drivers are less fearful of getting a ticket. I don't think safety or the cars we drive have anything to do with it.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

Yea I should have stipulated that I commute in a cage. When I ride it's the number 1 lane for the reasons you stated

My "cage" is an old as shit Land Rover that tops out at 66. The freeways are a fucking nightmare in it. I'm reminded how much faster shit is after driving it.

 

[davidji]

Are we seriously calling for freeway speed enforcement on BARF?

I wouldn't think it such a terrible idea if that speed limit were raised to something reasonable. 130km/h (~80MPH) is a common European speed limit, and if ours were that or higher, more enforcement might not be terrible.

I still think that some sections should be unlimited, or at least much higher. Don't you?

 

[dravnx]

We don't have the training to support 80mph

 

[auntiebling]

I'VE been noticing the opposite from the wheel of my SUV. peeps be slower and dumber the last few months and it's barely even raining!

 

[Smash Allen]

My "cage" is an old as shit Land Rover that tops out at 66. The freeways are a fucking nightmare in it. I'm reminded how much faster shit is after driving it.

I know the feeling; I recently got rid of my 92 F250 7.3IDI which made 60mph feel like 80mph especially with the dual axle cargo trailer loaded up. I wanted to like that truck and keep it forever, I really did. Alas it was an abusive relationship and my mental health is improving daily since ridding myself of that 'ol farm truck.

Are we seriously calling for freeway speed enforcement on BARF?

I wouldn't think it such a terrible idea if that speed limit were raised to something reasonable. 130km/h (~80MPH) is a common European speed limit, and if ours were that or higher, more enforcement might not be terrible.

I still think that some sections should be unlimited, or at least much higher. Don't you?

Speed alone isn't dangerous, however it is commonly coupled with too-close following distances, sudden lane changes, and huge speed deltas between the number one and number four lanes.

It is downright dangerous to have a 35mph delta between lanes. We give lanesplitters a hard time for that very thing; why should cars be any different?

In my opinion, if we raise the limit to 80mph, the lower (towing) limit should be raised to 65mph at least to keep the speed differential to something that the average driver can reasonably respond to in emergency situations.

The lack of enforcement when there are +35mph speed differentials is borderline negligent on the part of CHP. I say borderline because they do provide enforcement to the limit of their staffing capabilities.

Deputize me and I'd pull at least one person over each way to work every day for reckless driving.

All I can do is 'eat my popcorn' in the slow lane and be ready to avoid the inevitable collisions.

 

[R3DS!X]

I think freeways should be like the movie speed. If you cannot go under 80 mph or else you will explode. bombs will be installed on all cars. I'm putting this into legislation.

 

[clutchslip]

Are we seriously calling for freeway speed enforcement on BARF?

I wouldn't think it such a terrible idea if that speed limit were raised to something reasonable. 130km/h (~80MPH) is a common European speed limit, and if ours were that or higher, more enforcement might not be terrible.

I still think that some sections should be unlimited, or at least much higher. Don't you?

Asking a question and discussing an issue is not advocating for the thing discussed. Otherwise, we would all be in jail for what we said.

However, I definitely do not think some sections should be unlimited. Americans drive like garbage. They stay in the fast lane and do not pass. Having people trying to go 120mph with a Grandma immigrant passing a semi-truck doing 58 is a deadly disaster waiting to happen. People exit highways at the last moment without signaling and they get on highways at 25 mph. If you start having a lot of cars doing a buck plus and stuff is going to go wrong, a lot

 

[Shaggy]

You are connected. Why isn't the CHP, et al, enforcing speed laws, currently? I know they haven't enforced other issues for awhile, like following too close and signaling for a change of direction. But speeding is usually the easy one to cite and win. Aren't the concentrated highway sweeps successful in reducing speeding?

We are having a secret society meeting next week. I’ll be sure to ask our Level 32 CHP members...

Truthfully, I don’t personally know any CHP officers and don’t regularly come into contact with them. I’m a city cop and I’m not at all interested in enforcing traffic laws. I don’t think I’ve written a real ticket in 6 months. I work swing shift and have no interest in going to traffic court at 8am.

 

[davidji]

It is downright dangerous to have a 35mph delta between lanes.

It certainly can be. With better lane discipline, and better driver skill/training/expectations it wouldn't be as big a deal.

Speeds are higher in Germany, big deltas are common. E.g. roads with only 2 lanes per direction, a wide right lane for slow cars and trucks and a narrow left unlimited one.

At least last time I checked the roads were safer there as well. It's not all about speeds and about deltas between lanes.

 

[gixxerjeff]

I'm a little late to the party here. I've been away from my computer for a couple of days so please pardon my jumping in here 'mid fray'.
I've noticed a faster pace lately myself. I've been working odd hours recently (2:30pm-11:00pm) and find myself somewhat surprised by the increased speed through Marin when the sun is up. 80-85 mph seems to be the norm. Even when you see a black/white under an overpass aiming radar. The Marin angle seems even more puzzling because it's posted 55 mph pretty much from Novato to the GG Bridge. That extra 10 mph tagged on to a ticket, if you do get one, has gotta sting.

 

[davidji]

However, I definitely do not think some sections should be unlimited. Americans drive like garbage.

Poor lane discipline, distracted driving, and poorly maintained vehicles could all be roadblocks to safely having much faster roads. All can be addressed.

Have you ever seen what your bike could do on a remote stretch of freeway? Do you think you did something wrong? Or should it have been legal?