How do you drive?

[Widowmaker2k]

Well, out of sheer curiosity, I thought I'd make a poll to see how fast everyone drives, especially since most of us live in California and must drive to get anywhere.

Personally, I drive fast, but will not cut people off, pull out in front of people, or turn without signaling, and become absolutely indignant when people do it to me. I can’t stand it when people drive in packs because I don’t trust other drivers, and want to be as far away from them as possible.

"The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers." ~Dave Barry, "Things That It Took Me 50 Years to Learn"

 

[Warhawk]

I pretty much stick to the speed limit and use cruise control. Sometimes I would fit in the 1-10 mph over as well. I find I get much better gas mileage when I use cruise and stick to what won't get me a ticket.

 

[D-Mass]

I drive fast...I admit it. But like Widowmaker, I don't cut people off, etc. Just fast. If I have to slow down because I'm in a pack, I don't usually get angry about it...I pretty much go with the flow.

 

[Prophetess]

I have 3 kids, I drive the speed limit.

 

[D-Mass]

I have 3 kids, I drive the speed limit.

True...I should qualify my answer. Whenever I have my 1 year old in the car, I'm at the speed limit.

 

[Bricklayer]

Normally about 5-10 over. Nothing ostentatious. Dislike duckers and swervers and tailgaters immensely + do not practice any of that crap.

Do have a tendency to accelerate quickly off the start though. Mostly part of the same theory -- prefer to get ahead of any pack I am with, actually as a safety precaution. No cars immediately around you = less chance of an accident. Only empty road ahead = don't have to worry about people not seeing you, about panicky people hopping on their brakes etc.

 

[GoGoGadget]

I went with 1-10 miles over, though 5-15 (straddling both available options) would probably be more accurate.

I speed, but only when in conditions where it's safe to do so, and am otherwise a very safe and courteous driver. Can't stand the aggressive road ragers OR the weenies who slow to let the entire country merge ahead of them. On the open road, I tend to safely pass my way to the head of the pack and try to maintain the several second space bubble on all sides of me. But I will gladly move over to let the aggro's pass me -- I know what my Beetle and I are capable of, and getting into a pissing match with a Hummer isn't on the list.

 

[tubiscus]

The SPEED LIMIT (or less) in a residential area. 1-5mph over in town. 5-10mph over on a divided highway.

When I'm at work it can be very different!

 

[hoopsfan]

I used to drive pretty fast, but I've ben to traffic school so often, I could probably teach the class!!
I'm a good girl now...I got rid of my turbo and got a Jeep. Since it's as aerodynamic as a brick...I don't really have a speeding problem in it.

 

[mcsluggo]

On the highway I tend to drive fairly fast, but people here (Washington DC) in general drive fast so I also tend to try not to stick out too much (I am perfectly happy going in the middle of the "fast pack" in the left lane.) I tend to drive 75 to 80 on the regular interstate (speed limit 65) or on the beltway (speed limit 55)

I also have kids, however, and I live on a residential road that unfortunatley seems to be gaining pupularity as a "cut through". On residential roads, I am UUBER slow. I now go the speed limit EXACTLY, and I stop COMPLETELY at stop signs, etc. I'm actually pleased in those situations if there is someone anxious behind me, so they are forced to slow down (is that evil? )

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I went with 1-10 miles over, though 5-15 (straddling both available options) would probably be more accurate.

That's about where I am too. Sometimes a little faster but usually in the 5-10 range. I usually cruise around 70mph on highways and the speed limit varies. Generally that is a safe speed. When its 70 (which I don't think it ever is in Oregon) I might push it up to 80. I have pushed it up to about 130 just to see what its like. I don't speed on regular streets, maybe 5 mph over if I'm not conscious of the limit.

Since moving to Portland I find people drive a lot slower and I think I've slowed down a bit too.

 

[uolj]

I pretty much stick to the speed limit and use cruise control. Sometimes I would fit in the 1-10 mph over as well. I find I get much better gas mileage when I use cruise and stick to what won't get me a ticket.

I like cruise control.

I notice that whenever I pass the signs that tell you your speed limit, it's always 2-3 mph less than my speedometer (and on my only speeding ticket I was clocked 2 mph less than I thought I was actually going). So I tend to drive 2-3 mph faster than what I would think is the best speed.

That best speed is the limit with my kid in the car and 5-8mph over without.

 

[Jerryaki]

i'm in the 1-10mph over camp, and am generally a mild driver.

BUT, the one bad thing i do is, when i see people swerving and speeding up on me, i pull up next to another guy and maintain his/her speed...to slow those others.

 

[Rockmeister]

I must admit, I have a lead foot. However, I will not cut people off, turn without signaling or pull out in front of people.

 

[Wuster]

Pretty safely and consiederately. Range is 1-10 over but usually max out at 5 MPH over.

 

[doone]

It really depends, I go about 10-20 over on the freeways and other major streets but if I'm in a residential area or if I have my younger cousins in the car I go the speed limit or sometimes even less.

 

[nebs]

I drive causal, with the flow for the most part. If someone is going slower, I will change lanes and move past them.

On longer trips, I'll figure out the average speed that day and put it into cruise control right there. I'm almost always slightly above the speed limit, as are most people.

 

[OHSacFan]

I'm like quite a few people here - if one or both boys are with me I drive with total sense (I even manage to keep the yelling at other drivers in check), but when I'm by myself I go a bit faster. And the radio tends to be a bit louder.

 

[SacKings384]

Normally about 5-10 over. Nothing ostentatious. Dislike duckers and swervers and tailgaters immensely + do not practice any of that crap.

Do have a tendency to accelerate quickly off the start though. Mostly part of the same theory -- prefer to get ahead of any pack I am with, actually as a safety precaution. No cars immediately around you = less chance of an accident. Only empty road ahead = don't have to worry about people not seeing you, about panicky people hopping on their brakes etc.

Co-signed

 

[ReinadelosReys]

I am a bad bad driver lol

But its because 85% of the time I'm in a car by myself and really don't have to worry about anyone else's (as far as in the car, sorry to my fellow driver ) safety. Now the other 15% of the time, yes I'll drive more safely. Espescially with kids.

 

[kennadog]

What I find interesting is how many people say they drive slower with their kids in the car. After all, a parent keeping themselves alive is pretty critical for children's future.

I was probably guilty of this, too, when my son was young, but it is pretty strange thinking to want to protect your child's life, but not realize that your children need you alive to protect and care for them just as much as you'd like to keep them alive. Just strikes me as odd thinking.

 

[uolj]

It's not so much death I'm worried about, it's injury. I can deal with a crash and a non-life threatening injury to myself, but I would prefer to reduce that risk for my wife and child.

Although I agree that it doesn't make that much sense overall.

 

[mcsluggo]

What I find interesting is how many people say they drive slower with their kids in the car. After all, a parent keeping themselves alive is pretty critical for children's future.

I was probably guilty of this, too, when my son was young, but it is pretty strange thinking to want to protect your child's life, but not realize that your children need you alive to protect and care for them just as much as you'd like to keep them alive. Just strikes me as odd thinking.

its not just the urge to protect them, really. THere are two other big things going on. First of all they are there to REMIND you to be better. Kids are very good at that, making you a better person in the process. And that leads right into the second factor... when your kids are around, you become teacher. EVERYTHING you do has to stand up in that light.

given those two factors, if you aren't a better person when your kids are around, you are either a saint in general (and ready to "cast the first stone") or you are a slug of a parent