Americans 'below speed limits'

[nickdrinkwater]

Americans are driving well below the speed limit on average, according to new data by Tele Atlas, the mapping unit of sat-nav maker TomTom.

Using data collected anonymously from millions of GPS systems in use on US roads, it discovered that average speeds don't top 70mph in any US state.

The fastest stretch of motorway in the US is the I-15, which runs from Utah to Nevada. The average speed of vehicles tracked on this road was 77.67mph, even though the speed limit is 80mph in places.

The area where drivers are most likely to push the limits is Mississippi, but even then the average speed was 70mph - exactly the motorway limit.

The slowest drivers came from the District of Columbia, where motorway drivers average just 46mph.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/247132/#

[Rupert]

I need to see their methods before I believe that.

[ChrisV]

Well, yeah, AVAERAGE speeds don't top 70, because you tend to spend WAY more time on secondary roads, in traffic, and in town than on the open interstate. WAY more people are driving in urban/suburban areas and on secondary roads than are driving on interstates at any given time. So overall, all driving factored in, the average WILL be slower than the maximum speed.

[Raza]

Ha!  What a useless statistic.  DC is jammed up all the time.

[Rupert]

Well, yeah, AVAERAGE speeds don't top 70, because you tend to spend WAY more time on secondary roads, in traffic, and in town than on the open interstate. WAY more people are driving in urban/suburban areas and on secondary roads than are driving on interstates at any given time. So overall, all driving factored in, the average WILL be slower than the maximum speed.

They don't make it clear what their average is of. If the number they give is all driving all the time, like you say, then the average freeway speed has got to be way high. But this number is too low for the average freeway speed, unless they're also counting semis or something.

[S204STi]

Well, yeah, AVAERAGE speeds don't top 70, because you tend to spend WAY more time on secondary roads, in traffic, and in town than on the open interstate. WAY more people are driving in urban/suburban areas and on secondary roads than are driving on interstates at any given time. So overall, all driving factored in, the average WILL be slower than the maximum speed.

I believe your assessment is correct.

[SVT_Power]

I believe your assessment is correct.

I believe your assessment of his assessment is correct.

[giant_mtb]

I believe your assessment of his assessment is correct.

I believe your assessment of his assessment of his assessment is correct.

[SVT_Power]

I believe your assessment of his assessment of his assessment is correct.

I believe your assessment of my assessment of his assessment of his assessment is correct.

[Eye of the Tiger]

You guys are crappy assessors.

[Rupert]

Did someone say assessor?

[S204STi]

[r0tor]

The average speed around DC is about 85mph when there is no traffic (say between 10pm and 6am) and about 15mph the rest of the time...

[ifcar]

The average speed around DC is about 85mph when there is no traffic (say between 10pm and 6am) and about 15mph the rest of the time...

The immediate DC area has only one stretch of roadway with speed limits of over 55 -- Route 50 between the DC Beltway and Annapolis -- and there are just two more even when you move into the sticks. Someone doing 85 is going to have their average cut down sharply by sitting on the shoulder in front of a cop.

[Rupert]

Good thing someone got it.

[MX793]

Well, yeah, AVAERAGE speeds don't top 70, because you tend to spend WAY more time on secondary roads, in traffic, and in town than on the open interstate. WAY more people are driving in urban/suburban areas and on secondary roads than are driving on interstates at any given time. So overall, all driving factored in, the average WILL be slower than the maximum speed.

It appears they were tracking speeds on particular roadways, not in overall, day to day driving.

[VTEC_Inside]

Lol, the first time I used my new Garmin I had to set a nice max speed (high score, woot!). I think its 170 something kph...

[dazzleman]

Lol, the first time I used my new Garmin I had to set a nice max speed (high score, woot!). I think its 170 something kph...

We all know you like to wear a lot of lead in your shoes, man.....

[CALL_911]

Lol, the first time I used my new Garmin I had to set a nice max speed (high score, woot!). I think its 170 something kph...

Wow, I thought I was the only one who tried to play that game.

My sister bought a tomtom (she didn't need one, stupidest purchase ever) that my Dad and I used (hardly) on our midwest/southwest excursion. I had to set the "high score" on that. 122 mph. Deserted, arrow-straight, cop-less roads in Utah+V8 Camaro FTMFW.

[dazzleman]

Wow, I thought I was the only one who tried to play that game.

My sister bought a tomtom (she didn't need one, stupidest purchase ever) that my Dad and I used (hardly) on our midwest/southwest excursion. I had to set the "high score" on that. 122 mph. Deserted, arrow-straight, cop-less roads in Utah+V8 Camaro FTMFW.

Isn't that around the time you ended up getting 'cuffed?

[CALL_911]

Isn't that around the time you ended up getting 'cuffed?

2 days before, yes.

Hell, only about half an hour before I got nailed, I hit about 115 or so. My Dad's theory is that they got me by helicopter.

[dazzleman]

2 days before, yes.

Hell, only about half an hour before I got nailed, I hit about 115 or so. My Dad's theory is that they got me by helicopter.

You're my idol, man....

[CALL_911]

You're my idol, man....

No I'm not, not when Dad pays the speeding ticket.

That just makes me a fucking idiot, not a badass in any way, shape, or form.

[dazzleman]

No I'm not, not when Dad pays the speeding ticket.

That just makes me a fucking idiot, not a badass in any way, shape, or form.

I was just kidding around, man. 

You have the right attitude, BTW.

[CALL_911]

I was just kidding around, man. 

You have the right attitude, BTW.

You could call it the right attitude, but it's 100% true.

[dazzleman]

You could call it the right attitude, but it's 100% true.

I meant that you had the right attitude by acknowledging that your dad paid the ticket and that you don't deserve 'credit' for being a badass.

[CALL_911]

I meant that you had the right attitude by acknowledging that your dad paid the ticket and that you don't deserve 'credit' for being a badass.

Yeah, I'd like to think so, at least.

I doubt that'll be my last speeding ticket, but it will be my last under my Dad's wallet (I'll make sure of it). I do speed, but I'm quite a bit more careful about it.

[dazzleman]

Yeah, I'd like to think so, at least.

I doubt that'll be my last speeding ticket, but it will be my last under my Dad's wallet (I'll make sure of it). I do speed, but I'm quite a bit more careful about it.

You have the right idea.  You should never do something if you can't handle the consequences.

[S204STi]

So how pissed was your dad?  I mean it sounds like he sort of encouraged it so I doubt he was that mad.

[dazzleman]

So how pissed was your dad?  I mean it sounds like he sort of encouraged it so I doubt he was that mad.

He definitely encouraged it.  I didn't have 'cool' parents, so I find the concept foreign.