Comments on: Smackdown: Is it time to raise the speed limit on Highway 401? http://www.wheels.ca/feature/smackdown-is-it-time-to-raise-the-speed-limit-on-highway-401/ Thu, 23 May 2013 22:59:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: FRANCOIS http://www.wheels.ca/feature/smackdown-is-it-time-to-raise-the-speed-limit-on-highway-401/#comment-1325203 FRANCOIS Sat, 06 Apr 2013 12:50:58 +0000 http://ec2-107-20-15-173.compute-1.amazonaws.com/?post_type=feature&p=35029#comment-1325203 The speed limit should be raised. 140 kph is a good speed for the 401. It is simply not true that people will drive 20 kph above the posted speed no matter what they post. See the post below regarding speeds on the Autobahn, where there is no speed limit, the average speed is 130 to 140 kph. People will drive at what they feel is a safe and reasonable speed, most of the time. Speed limits were once based on what was a reasonable speed for the road; they actually took measurements of typical traffic flow and set the limits accordingly (for example at the 80th percentile). Now, speed limits are arbitrary, and designed to raise money. Because it raises so much money for the state and the insurance companies that lobby the state, don't expect the speed limits to be raised. The speed limit should be raised. 140 kph is a good speed for the 401.
It is simply not true that people will drive 20 kph above the posted speed no matter what they post. See the post below regarding speeds on the Autobahn, where there is no speed limit, the average speed is 130 to 140 kph. People will drive at what they feel is a safe and reasonable speed, most of the time.

Speed limits were once based on what was a reasonable speed for the road; they actually took measurements of typical traffic flow and set the limits accordingly (for example at the 80th percentile). Now, speed limits are arbitrary, and designed to raise money. Because it raises so much money for the state and the insurance companies that lobby the state, don’t expect the speed limits to be raised.

]]> By: Rickmyster http://www.wheels.ca/feature/smackdown-is-it-time-to-raise-the-speed-limit-on-highway-401/#comment-1213090 Rickmyster Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:37:08 +0000 http://ec2-107-20-15-173.compute-1.amazonaws.com/?post_type=feature&p=35029#comment-1213090 Ontario won't increase the speed limit because people will just increase their own personal limit another 20 km/h. The OPP don't currently pursue people who keep under 20km/h over the limit. If you increase the limit on the 400 series to 120km/h, people will just drive 140km/h because they will feel that is suitable based on the old logic. In the USA, you don't drive over 5 mp/h over the limit or you're busted. Can you imagine the fines and complaints from tax paying Ontarian's the province will face if they increase the speed limit. Ontario won’t increase the speed limit because people will just increase their own personal limit another 20 km/h. The OPP don’t currently pursue people who keep under 20km/h over the limit. If you increase the limit on the 400 series to 120km/h, people will just drive 140km/h because they will feel that is suitable based on the old logic. In the USA, you don’t drive over 5 mp/h over the limit or you’re busted. Can you imagine the fines and complaints from tax paying Ontarian’s the province will face if they increase the speed limit.

]]> By: Brent Morrison http://www.wheels.ca/feature/smackdown-is-it-time-to-raise-the-speed-limit-on-highway-401/#comment-1208323 Brent Morrison Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:28:55 +0000 http://ec2-107-20-15-173.compute-1.amazonaws.com/?post_type=feature&p=35029#comment-1208323 Yes. The 401 is engineered for higher speeds and the flow of traffic almost never falls to 100km/h except under high traffic conditions. If everyone drives at 120 and the flow is good, why should they ALL be breaking the law? It isn't speed that causes accidents on highways; it is speed differential. So any increase in maximum should be accompanied with a speed floor. Increasing the speed limit would reduce the arbitrary nature of who does and does not get pulled over for driving at the same speed as everyone else, and it would also free up police to watch for the real dangers out there: tailgaters and people who change lanes without checking or signalling. Yes. The 401 is engineered for higher speeds and the flow of traffic almost never falls to 100km/h except under high traffic conditions. If everyone drives at 120 and the flow is good, why should they ALL be breaking the law? It isn’t speed that causes accidents on highways; it is speed differential. So any increase in maximum should be accompanied with a speed floor. Increasing the speed limit would reduce the arbitrary nature of who does and does not get pulled over for driving at the same speed as everyone else, and it would also free up police to watch for the real dangers out there: tailgaters and people who change lanes without checking or signalling.

]]> By: Lufwaffe http://www.wheels.ca/feature/smackdown-is-it-time-to-raise-the-speed-limit-on-highway-401/#comment-1082376 Lufwaffe Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:10:04 +0000 http://ec2-107-20-15-173.compute-1.amazonaws.com/?post_type=feature&p=35029#comment-1082376 Canada should certainly join the other G8 nations with similar speed limits...120-130 kph . Outside of urban areas or as determined by traffic flow( radar cameras) At expressway convergence zones limits need to dropped to 80-90 kph for traffic blend . The typical GTA driver will come blistering onto the main expressway at well above median speed and then cut into traffic rather than matching the traffic speed. A sociological lack of discipline that will never be achieved here I doubt. A stringent enforcement of the 3 pack would vastly improve matters. 1/ drive right 2/ no right passing 3/ tailgating( German criminal code " threatening behavior") Note: average speed on unlimited autobahn= 137 (4 lane) 142 kph(6 lane) Canada should certainly join the other G8 nations with similar speed limits…120-130 kph . Outside of urban areas or as determined by traffic flow( radar cameras)
At expressway convergence zones limits need to dropped to 80-90 kph for traffic blend . The typical GTA driver will come blistering onto the main expressway at well above median speed and then cut into traffic rather than matching the traffic speed.
A sociological lack of discipline that will never be achieved here I doubt.
A stringent enforcement of the 3 pack would vastly improve matters. 1/ drive right 2/ no right passing 3/ tailgating( German criminal code ” threatening behavior”)
Note: average speed on unlimited autobahn= 137 (4 lane) 142 kph(6 lane)

]]> By: John http://www.wheels.ca/feature/smackdown-is-it-time-to-raise-the-speed-limit-on-highway-401/#comment-977356 John Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:16:45 +0000 http://ec2-107-20-15-173.compute-1.amazonaws.com/?post_type=feature&p=35029#comment-977356 The present speed on 401 is 100km but tolerance is 120km. If they raise it to 120km then drivers likely push it to 140km..hmm. I would like to see it raised to 110km first and make it a law passing only on the left side. I daily see drivers swerving three lanes to get to the very left lane, that's a problem and must be corrected by the MTO. The present speed on 401 is 100km but tolerance is 120km. If they raise it to 120km then drivers likely push it to 140km..hmm. I would like to see it raised to 110km first and make it a law passing only on the left side. I daily see drivers swerving three lanes to get to the very left lane, that’s a problem and must be corrected by the MTO.

]]> By: nic http://www.wheels.ca/feature/smackdown-is-it-time-to-raise-the-speed-limit-on-highway-401/#comment-938489 nic Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:22:43 +0000 http://ec2-107-20-15-173.compute-1.amazonaws.com/?post_type=feature&p=35029#comment-938489 Actually l meant to reply to a comment about cars doing 100, are a danger to the road. Actually l meant to reply to a comment
about cars doing 100, are a danger to the road.

]]> By: Vetl http://www.wheels.ca/feature/smackdown-is-it-time-to-raise-the-speed-limit-on-highway-401/#comment-923787 Vetl Thu, 24 Jan 2013 02:56:41 +0000 http://ec2-107-20-15-173.compute-1.amazonaws.com/?post_type=feature&p=35029#comment-923787 In Europe, its very easy to loose your driver license for the really unsafe stuff like , crossing solid lanes, making left turn through 3 lines of traffic and etc., which is seems to be considered perfectly normal in Ontario. In Europe, its very easy to loose your driver license for the really unsafe stuff like , crossing solid lanes, making left turn through 3 lines of traffic and etc., which is seems to be considered perfectly normal in Ontario.

]]> By: Vetl http://www.wheels.ca/feature/smackdown-is-it-time-to-raise-the-speed-limit-on-highway-401/#comment-923774 Vetl Thu, 24 Jan 2013 02:53:44 +0000 http://ec2-107-20-15-173.compute-1.amazonaws.com/?post_type=feature&p=35029#comment-923774 This is the rule to move over to the right lane, which in plain language means "get out of my way" HTA 147. (1) Any vehicle travelling upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at that time and place shall, where practicable, be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway. This is the rule to move over to the right lane, which in plain language means “get out of my way”

HTA
147. (1) Any vehicle travelling upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at that time and place shall, where practicable, be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway.

]]> By: Vetl http://www.wheels.ca/feature/smackdown-is-it-time-to-raise-the-speed-limit-on-highway-401/#comment-923699 Vetl Thu, 24 Jan 2013 02:48:30 +0000 http://ec2-107-20-15-173.compute-1.amazonaws.com/?post_type=feature&p=35029#comment-923699 lol good one, I mean right , too much typing , and yes I know which hand left and which right, Most of the time ..... :) lol good one, I mean right , too much typing , and yes I know which hand left and which right, Most of the time ….. :)

]]> By: nic http://www.wheels.ca/feature/smackdown-is-it-time-to-raise-the-speed-limit-on-highway-401/#comment-917133 nic Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:33:29 +0000 http://ec2-107-20-15-173.compute-1.amazonaws.com/?post_type=feature&p=35029#comment-917133 Don't blame the people driving by the rules. lt's the get out of my way attitude that poses the danger. Don’t blame the people driving by the rules.
lt’s the get out of my way attitude that poses the danger.

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