07.31.2009 5:56 pm
What’s the rush?
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Although not from St. Louis I grew up here (the Central West End), and have driven through much of the city and county. But vi have also driven in and through many other cities — New York, Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C., Raleigh, Atlanta, Aspen, Santa Fe — the list goes on from coast to coast. And believe me, I never, NEVER have seen so many cars consistently overdriving the speed limit as I do here. Where do these drivers think they are? On a speedway, a race course? They seem to come out of nowhere into the here. Where are the police or have they just given up?
Marilee C. Martin
Brentwood
Marilee - I’m no fan of Dallas, but obviously you haven’t spent any significant time there. My interstate, intercity experience, which is also lengthy, tells me that STL is no different than most others. Now if you want to talk about the condition of the highways, that’s another story.
It is time to slow people down nation wide. Use our technology to out governors on all cars, preventing them from going over the speed limit. It would also be nice to prevent tailgating. Believe it or not it is possible.
Slowing down is essential for more people reaching their destinations intact. Beyond that, most people don’t realize that gas mileage goes down as speed increases above about 45 mph. Also remember, on a 1 hour trip at or around 60 mph, going 5 mph faster only gets you there 5 minutes faster.
mogoid has a point as well, most people gripe about the condition of the highways but the same ones who do will also gripe and speed through construction zones. I REALLY like the radio commercial put out by Illinois DOT asking how would you like people driving through your office doing 60 mph.
Slow down people, the life you save might be your own.
Having motored through Chicago, Kansas City, Denver, St. Lake City, Little Rock, Dallas… I can assure you that the phenomenon is not unique to St. Louis. I blame video games. Many dudes assume they score extra points by arriving thirty seconds ahead of you. Cutting you off by swerving left to right and hitting the exit ramp twenty feet ahead scores a double bonus.
I don’t know how many times I’ve been cut off by some DB on the cell phone going 20 mph faster than I am, only to see him waiting at the next stoplight when I get there.
I laugh at him every time.