do you speed?

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Ok. I'll take a stab at it.

First off, let me say that I don't really condone going 95mph. I'll go 85 in a 75 all day if conditions permit (very light traffic, no adverse weather, etc).

But if someone is in the fast lane going 95 in straight line, I think they are less of a danger to cause an accident than someone raging at 75mph.

A couple of things about that last sentence: 1) Someone going 95 is always going to be at risk of causing a wreck, I just contend it's LESS of a risk than a road rager going 20mph slower. 2) My definition of road rage involves things like aggressively weaving through slower traffic without signaling. Also tailgating, flashing your lights, and showing emotion at people who's driving you don't approve of (middle fingers, etc).

If someone is that overly aggressive, weaving through lanes, and so focused on other drivers rather than operating their own vehicle safely, I think they are WAY more likely to cause a wreck than someone focused on the road, going 20mph faster in a straight line. It seems like common sense to me really. You mention speed differential affecting reaction times. I don't disagree with that, but the I'd say the road rage behavior I discussed above would have a pretty adverse affect on reaction times as well.

Again, I don't approve of either behavior.

OK, well if that's what you're thinking by road rage, then yeah I'm with you. That's way more dangerous than 95 at a straight line. But it's rare when I've seen someone go to such great lengths to get around a blockade, most people aren't that nuts.

In the rare instances when I've seen someone driving that crazy, I just get as far away as possible because it's flat out dangerous and stupid. I do call the cops on 'em when possible, but steering clear is the name of the game. Do you see guys do this much? That seems like a pretty fantasized example of road rage, and in my experience isn't prevalent.

And as TMC said, the choice isn't really 95 and a straight line vs 75 and road rage. Usually the offender is a tailgater to boot. I'd rather him tailgate me at 75 than weave through traffic somewhere ahead of me.