Post by
leeG35 »
https://forums.nicoclub.com/leeg35-u47859.html
Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:27 am
In the science of human factor engineering, precise measurements have been made on how fast people will drive on various types of roads. It turns out, 80% of the population will drive at the same "natural" speed for the given road, regardless of the speed posted. It has to do with reaction times, how the brain scans the various senses and the amount of mental processing and muscle control needed to keep the car driving in its lane at a constant speed. This means if the "natural" speed for a stretch of road is 45 mph, 80% of people will drive at 45 mph. If the speed is posted at 25 mph or 65 mph doesn't matter. Eighty percent will drive at 45 mph. Look at the Interstate highway system. It is basically designed for 75 mph travel, and that is pretty much how fast people drive on it. It may be posted 65 mph or less, but out on the open stretches if you only go 65 EVERYONE passes you.
Interesting consequences of this human behavior is if the speed limit is too low for the road, the chance of accidents increases. The speed limit has to be fast enough to keep the driver's attention and focus on what is ahead of him. If you have a wide, straight road and force people to drive at too low a speed, they just don't need to pay much attention to keep the car in its lane and at a constant speed. They don't need to look where they are going very often, thus get board, start paying with the radio/cell phone/daydreaming when suddenly something happens in front of them and they just aren't looking. And of course if the speed is too fast the car can't be kept in proper control. Unfortunately, the traffic engineer can't always set the correct speed limit for a road because of other consideration unrelated to the human/machine/road interaction of driving. But we deal with it.
Most of the readers of this forum are likely are more capable drivers than the 80% of the population the traffic engineer uses for design. We have a higher "natural" speed on any given road than Joe Q Public. This brings up the problem of "speeding" on public highways. While you and I are totally confident in our ability to drive fast safely, the circumstances and conditions of public highways do not support this fantasy, and in fact driving at excessive speed puts us and our fellow drivers at great risk.
The problem with speeding on public roads are many. There are far too many things beyond your control. Poor maintenance of the road surface, highway debris and poor sight-lines for starters. Close proximity of trees and poles if you slide out of your lane. While speed in itself doesn't kill, great differences in speed between your car and others can, depending on the ability and reaction of drivers in your immediate vicinity. And an obstacle can appear at any moment from any direction, be it an animal (deer for one), person or child chasing a ball, another vehicle entering the roadway or turning across your path.
Driving fast at the track is another matter entirely. Controlled access to the road surface, spotters for accident and debris warning, more room to make mistakes.
Your are all free to drive however you like, but on public streets I try to drive in a socially responsible style. A little faster than most for sure, but nothing that immediately attracts the eye, or the interest of the authorities.
This is just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.
Modified by leeG35 at 9:36 PM 4/15/2008
