'Tiered' speed limits

[Freakazoid]

So was thinking about this after reading the fun 'why do you speed' thread, and I thought of an idea, and curious if there's any immediate problems with it. What says the OT?

Instead of a standard 'speed limit', have a speed limit system that is almost tiered. The tiers would be ranked on the car and what your car is capable of. The car would be ranked from the factory, and no amount of modifications would allow it to be a different tier. I'm not talking drastic differences in the speed, but I'm saying a 10-15 mph discrepancy on the highway. So an enzo would be allowed to go 15mph faster on a highway than a chrysler minivan.

Obviously a system like this would never be implemented, and would turn to be a little complex, so this is a purely theoretical discussion....just curious to see people's thoughts though.

[NYCGP]

Do you really believe 15 mph is worth all the trouble of this system's cost of implementation and policing?

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by NYCGP

Do you really believe 15 mph is worth all the trouble of this system's cost of implementation and policing?

like I said, this is a purely rhetorical/theoretical question. Sometimes I like to pretend I could build my own utopian society....and I'm curious as to what would be some of the best standards/practices to have in it.

Obviously in the current system this would never in a million years happen. Too many dumb people and too much crap. but if you could start over new...is there any drawbacks or room for improvements?

[TK-421]

i'm actually a fan of most speed limits because, although it's too low for the majority of us, it protects us from the retards out there. i almost get into a bad wreck once a week at least because of someone lane changing like an asshole or something to that extent. if that person was driving a much faster car with a higher speed limit, good things would not come of it.

[kyleb350]

So basically this is buying the right to go faster?

[kyleb350]

Along those lines, I wonder what if we had a multitier licensing system where you would qualify and pay a higher fee to obtain different class licenses. Kinda like Gran Turismo

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by kyleb350

Along those lines, I wonder what if we had a multitier licensing system where you would qualify and pay a higher fee to obtain different class licenses. Kinda like Gran Turismo

i've had that thought before

[Augenbrauezug]

Originally Posted by kyleb350

Along those lines, I wonder what if we had a multitier licensing system where you would qualify and pay a higher fee to obtain different class licenses. Kinda like Gran Turismo

This!

Like my license to kill.

[Comet]

Autobahn is the best solution

[BCA]

I've also thought about this before because some cars (like our M3s) are obviously capable of traveling at a faster speed than the average car with little or no decrease in safety. Too bad it'll never happen...

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by kyleb350

So basically this is buying the right to go faster?

Initially no, more reliant on the abilities of the car.
but I like your follow-up idea even better than my initial idea. A ranking system that would require renewal, but would allow you to more 'flex' in the speed limit if you're a good driver.

That's a system that I wouldn't think would be too ridiculous hard to implement (and would likely actually make the state money)

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by BCA

I've also thought about this before because some cars (like our M3s) are obviously capable of traveling at a faster speed than the average car with little or no decrease in safety. Too bad it'll never happen...

That's exactly where my idea came from as well, I always buy cars that are more capable of travelling higher speeds.

The 1998 minivan is a lot more dangerous going 75 in a 55 than an m3 (all other things equal)

[Simsims]

Let's assume braking distances:
Shit cars = 50m @ 60mph
Awesome cars = 50m @ 120mph.

Just an assumption

Human reaction speed average: 0.15s
Within that same time you just traveled 2x more distance in your "godmode" car. See the argument?

[MadDog]

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by Simsims

Let's assume braking distances:
Shit cars = 50m @ 60mph
Awesome cars = 50m @ 120mph.

Just an assumption

Human reaction speed average: 0.15s
Within that same time you just traveled 2x more distance in your "godmode" car. See the argument?

I'm not sure I do see your argument here at all actually. I actually see it as virtually proving my point. I'm not advocating doubling the speed limits...as I said max of I'd think 15 mph, possibly less.

e.g. minivan stopping distance from 60 mph is 55 meters/180 feet. evo X stopping distance is 117 feet. This stopping distance difference gets even larger at higher speeds.

Assuming a 10 mph difference in speed (say 70 for evo and 60 for van), and a 0.15 second reaction time. The evo is going to travel another 15 feet further than the van. As said above, at 60 mph the evo has 63 feet on the van. That means that the evo now has 48 feet of additional stopping power over the van. (yes the evo is going 70 not 60, so it'd be less than 48....but you should see my point....48 feet is the equivalent of obliterating a car)

This is also tossing out the fact, that chances are when the minivan is stopping from 60-0mph it's also likely losing control and causing more damage/problems.

[BlackMoupe]

I had a similar concept in my Gov class. Except it was a 90MPH toll lane in the far left lane. Private companies would manage infrastructure costs and it was like $0.20 a mile. Only on 3 or more lane highways. Needed a special license from the DMV (free but need to take lessons on high speed driving reactions). And certain rating tires minimum. No vehicles with a weight over 6000 pounds or double axle vehicles either, etc

[Memphis1]

How about troopers ticket and fine all assholes who drive their prius on the left lane at 60mph or every idiot that thinks he has the right to hold traffic because his punk ass can't manage anything faster than 55mph. If you can't drive or you have a POS car stay the fuck out if the left lane...

[grieverr]

The problem I see with this is that you're still sharing the road with "lesser" drivers in lesser cars. And even if you're driving an Enzo, there's bound to be some moron going 10 below the speed limit on the left lane.

Maybe if there was something like an HOV lane for the faster cars...

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by Memphis1

How about troopers ticket and fine all assholes who drive their prius on the left lane at 60mph or every idiot that thinks he has the right to hold traffic because his punk ass can't manage anything faster than 55mph. If you can't drive or you have a POS car stay the fuck out if the left lane...

that's actually what I'm using as fuel for my idea as well. Have you ever DRIVEN a prius? A stock prius going anything over 60 is a scary fucking thing.

Yet in certain areas the prius wouldn't get in any trouble going 75 mph. That's SCARY.

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by grieverr

The problem I see with this is that you're still sharing the road with "lesser" drivers in lesser cars. And even if you're driving an Enzo, there's bound to be some moron going 10 below the speed limit on the left lane.

Maybe if there was something like an HOV lane for the faster cars...

I see your point, but I think using this system to also up the policing of the roads would work. Enforce the rules that aren't actually enforced currently..... i.e. pass in the left lane. When not passing you have to be in the right lane.

(remember this is all rhetorical, this would never actually happen in real life....unfortunately)

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by Freakazoid

Initially no, more reliant on the abilities of the car.
but I like your follow-up idea even better than my initial idea. A ranking system that would require renewal, but would allow you to more 'flex' in the speed limit if you're a good driver.

That's a system that I wouldn't think would be too ridiculous hard to implement (and would likely actually make the state money)

How would this not be a system that is ridiculously hard to implement? Person X has the license to do 20mph over the posted limit, and Person Y can only do the speed limit because he's an idiot. Person X travels at 20 mph (his exact permitted speed) and Person Y decides to travel 10mph above the speed limit (exceeds his permitted speed). They both pass a cop who sees both - which one does he go after? There's no distinguishing characteristics of the car which would tell him Person X is permitted to drive that fast, while Y is travelling at a speed that far exceeds his mental prowess. So he would go after X, and only once pulled over, would he realize X was ok.

No, without something to alert said cops as to what you are permitted to do (without being pulled over all the time), it can't work

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

How would this not be a system that is ridiculously hard to implement? Person X has the license to do 20mph over the posted limit, and Person Y can only do the speed limit because he's an idiot. Person X travels at 20 mph (his exact permitted speed) and Person Y decides to travel 10mph above the speed limit (exceeds his permitted speed). They both pass a cop who sees both - which one does he go after? There's no distinguishing characteristics of the car which would tell him Person X is permitted to drive that fast, while Y is travelling at a speed that far exceeds his mental prowess. So he would go after X, and only once pulled over, would he realize X was ok.

No, without something to alert said cops as to what you are permitted to do (without being pulled over all the time)

ahhh you're right, very very good call.