Instead most speed limits reflect the whims of the last lawmaker with clout, and American treat “speed limits” with the same respect the Italians have for their “income tax laws”.

https://www.italymag.co.uk/italy/politics/tax-evasion-epidemic-economy-minister-says

You have the right to drive as fast as you want to. It will cost you extra to drive at speeds in excess of what has been posted as the limit but you can drive as fast as you want. That being said, why do you feel your right to drive at a speed that gives you a thrill or saves you 30 seconds off the drive to work should take precedent over my families right to life? The Germans are allowed the unrestricted speds on PORTIONS of the Autobahn because they have demonstrated to the regulating officials that they can do it responsibly and reasonably safely. This country has had unrestricted roadways but after our drivers demonstrated how irresponsible they would handle such a scenario the unrestricted highways were once again regulated.

Those tires come stock on my 1500 series 1/2 pickup truck (for the sake of anonymity:), and after 15k miles still have 8/32″ left. I do not envision doing too many of 800 miles per day traveling, so by the time I need new tires, I do not mind at all getting those same tires for snow days (max. six months per year in my area).

I noticed this also while travelling thru Ohio recently. I drove from Toledo to Sandusky on the Ohio Turnpike and saw numerous state troopers with laser guns hiding within the openings in the concrete divider. Later I drove from Sandusky to Marion along route 4 and did not see any cops.

And forgets to mention that interstates account for about 25% of motor traffic, but just 10% of traffic deaths in Ohio.

How curious that the Patrol spends its time where it is least needed, but most visible.

http://pubsindex.trb.org/document/view/default.asp?lbid=371649

Jim,
The reason why people do all the things you speak of in the left lane is because the law encourages it. It favors the incompetent and punishes the competent. If the speed limits were higher or removed and drive-right was made law, people could no longer use the excuse that they are doing nothing wrong (even though they already were, impeding the right to travel of others when they could simply move over). Now the law would favor the competent and punish the incompetent. What we have now is reinforcement of negative behavior by law. If you are waiting for some magical day for people to start driving like they are on an Autobahn when the current rules completely mismanage the roadway it will never happen. First the rules have to be changed with some meaningful enforcement and then driver behavior will adjust. This is exactly the propaganda the establishment pushes saying, “It’s your fault things are the way they are and we won’t change the rules until you change your ways.” When in reality their policies are creating the problem. Have you ever noticed on the TV channel RealTV a.k.a. “the law enforcement channel” there is a show called “Speeders” whose sole purpose is to try and make anyone who is speeding, especially if they try and stand up for themselves, look like the dumbest person in the world. It is like a lame form of peer pressure trying to say, “Don’t speed or you are just as stupid as this guy. You don’t want to be a moron do you? Don’t dare challenge the law. The law is never wrong only you are.”

Three biggest myths said about why we need these ridiculous speed limits:

1. Germans are such highly trained drivers, we simply could never drive that good:
Autobahn driving is only a small and easy portion of their test. It’s all the rules once you get off the Autobahn on local roads that are complicated. Autobahn driving is simple, drive right pass left. It’s not hard. Our government has simply failed to execute sound traffic road policy, and then blames us that things aren’t working and calls for more unsound policies and tickets.

2. Their cars are better:
Totally false. I see much better cars in America than in Germany. Most cars driven would be considered tiny and underpowered by American drivers. Yet make no mistake, they are not driving slower. The 85th percentile speed as recorded in 1999 is 15 to 20 miles per hour higher in Germany. Some people have nice cars, but you will definitely see more BMWs in America then Germany. They have an car inspection that must be done every 2 years which is very basic and costs about 40 euros. Many states in the U.S. already have similar inspections. Also, new cars are exempt for the first 4 years. The idea that every German drives an M3 with a pit crew in their garage is fantasy.

3. Autobahn is better than our Interstate:

As stated before false. Look at your own State’s design manual. You can probably download it for free. They are all based on the AASHTO manuals which you can get but will have to pay for. The German RAA (Richtlinie für die Anlage von Autobahnen) can also be purchased for about 50 Euros. The design speed for Autobahn highways is 75 to 80 miles per hour in rural areas and the geometric parameters used are slightly less conservative than U.S. Interstates. For example, when calculating stopping sight distance Germany uses 2 seconds for driver reaction time to brake, U.S. uses 2.5 seconds. The design speed, as acknowledged in both countries, is based on a a driver with a low-percentile reaction time, vehicle with marginal tires and braking capabilities, and wet roadway conditions. A given design speed ensures safe and comfortable passage for virtually all passenger vehicles that might use the roadway during wet conditions at that speed. Being that the MINIMUM design speed for U.S. interstates is 70 mph, it’s easy to see that an average driver in an average vehicle can safely exceed this speed, especially during dry conditions. In fact a FHWA study found that a curve with a design speed of exactly 70 mph and no more, can be driven by a typical passenger vehicle at 120 mph before impending skid during wet conditions and 177 mph during dry conditions.

“Truck Characteristics for Use in Highway Design and Operation” Volume I, Research Report, Publication No. FHWA-RD-89-226 August 1990, p. 199

Most people like to make excuses, saying this is the way it’s always been and there is no other way to do it because if they admit they are getting screwed, a self-respecting person might just have to do something about it. 1960’s and 70’s speed limit simply are no longer compatible with vehicles and driver expectations in the year soon approaching of 2010.