... 70mph - Route 93 -1/1/14

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by DickR

That's about 9 miles. That extra 5 mph will cut all of 36 seconds off that "forever."

Cars may be better engineered for higher speed, but the drivers aren't.

If you commute on that route every work day for 10 years, that will add up to more than two days. I'd rather spend two days at the lake instead of driving on 93.

[HomeWood]

Originally Posted by Dave R

If you commute on that route every work day for 10 years, that will add up to more than two days. I'd rather spend two days at the lake instead of driving on 93.

That or when you are at the end of a 14 hour trip it would be nice to shave off 36 seconds of being in the truck.

[Scott's Yott]

55mph was set to save fuel when all cars were carburated...With everything now fuel injected,the higher speed will actually increase or not affect fuel economy....SPEED DOES NOT KILL,,, PEOPLE DO............

[P-3 Guy]

Originally Posted by Scott's Yott

With everything now fuel injected,the higher speed will actually increase or not affect fuel economy.

Even with fuel injection, the higher the speed, the lower the mileage. It's simple physics... aerodynamics.

[HellRaZoR004]

TMI Guy is correct. There is a sweet spot for all vehicles and once you go over that you have higher RPMs and more aerodynamic drag (i.e. wind resistance).

[gtxrider]

I don't think most drivers today can handle 70MPH. The cars can do it but the drivers are another issue. What will happen if an animal wants to cross the road and a car is coming up on it at that speed?

But the lake has a speed limit, go figure.

[RailroadJoe]

Depends if the animal is a moose or a squirral.

[Kamper]

It's called reverse psychology. Do you see the folks that are already going 75? Maybe now they'll figure that an extra 5mph isn't worth a ticket like 10mph over used to be.

[jeffk]

People tend to drive the speed they are comfortable at. If most people are already driving 70 - 75 MPH they are probably not going to increase by much, if at all.

I tend to target 72/73 MPH but would probably push it up to at least 75 with the new limit. I feel perfectly comfortable at that speed and even higher. Yes, you have a little less time to react in an emergency situation but at high speeds the time is already reduced. The impact of a collision could be a little worse but the impact of a 65MPH crash is already probably fatal.

Of course if you are uncomfortable at 70 MPH just stay in the right lane so I can pass you. Thanks.

[Swanpoint guy]

Let's be serious

This speed in todays cars is sate at not only 70 - but easily 80 mph. Over 10 years at thes speeds you can add an extra few months to your life not wasted on some freeway.

We shouldn't be setting our speed limits to the lowest common denominator.

[wifi]

Originally Posted by Swanpoint guy

Let's be serious

This speed in todays cars is sate at not only 70 - but easily 80 mph. Over 10 years at thes speeds you can add an extra few months to your life not wasted on some freeway.

We shouldn't be setting our speed limits to the lowest common denominator.

I've noticed as the car makers add safety features to cars, the public drives them to the limits of these improvements. Couple that with the advertisements of getting into the new improved car and roaring past an 18 wheeler into oncoming traffic feeling perfectly safe and smiling at your passenger as you barely get back into lane in time.

So, do you want your 17 year old daughter that just got their license to see an 80 MPH limit and think the car is built for that and therefore go for it? Errrr... not me, thanks.

They have these drag chips, wonder if they have governor chips, I can think of a majority of people that need these.....

[Dave R]

Modern cars, light trucks, and motorcycles are perfectly safe at 80 MPH, there's nothing to worry about. Much of the civilized world (including the western US) has been operating at those speeds for years. Big trucks are a big worry at 80 MPH though. Loaded up, it takes them a LOOOOOONG time to stop from 80. The government is trying to do something about it, but the latest safety standard for big rig braking distance is 60-0 in 250 feet (or 310 feet depending on GVWR) which is double the distance a sporty car or motorcycle requires for the same deceleration. Bear in mind, this standard only applies to new trucks. Older trucks typically require 355 feet to stop from 60.

If you want to worry about your 17 year old daughter going 80 MPH, worry that she can keep going 80 MPH so that big rig behind her does not occupy the same space she is in...

[upthesaukee]

Draw you own conclusions...as they say, it is a rough estimate.

http://forensicdynamics.com/stopping-distance-calculator

As some have said that they do 70 when the speed limit is 65, it maybe reasonable to assume that with the limit raised to 70, they may up their speed to 75. In a section of Interstate where there are moose populations, that resulting increase in speed, by the calculator, would add over 30 ft to stopping distance. This 30 ft could be difference between "Boy that was close" and "Hey Bullwinkle, get outta my car!!!!"

Just another side to consider.

[ITD]

KE=1/2MVsquared

[Happy Gourmand]

What's the big deal with 70 MPH. We drive up from Nashua and except for a couple stretches in Manchester and Concord, I set my cruise control at 72 to 73 MPH. At that speed, I'm hardly ever in the passing lane as the traffic is blowing by me. The cars are safer, tires are made better, roads can easily handle the speed.
Wasn't the speed limit 70 MPH years ago on the NH highways?
The biggest problem I see is cars weaving from lane to lane as drivers send and receive text messages on their phones. I think that is a more serious problem than speed.

[dpg]

Originally Posted by HomeWood

That or when you are at the end of a 14 hour trip it would be nice to shave off 36 seconds of being in the truck.

Is the end of a 14 hour trip a good time to be pushing the speed limit? I know what your saying but still....

[HomeWood]

Originally Posted by dpg

Is the end of a 14 hour trip a good time to be pushing the speed limit? I know what your saying but still....

I know, I know. It was more of tongue in cheek comment I guess. I do find myself with a lot more energy when the trip is almost over.