I'm only 25 and I drive the same way, the way I look at it is: The speed limit is the SPEED LIMIT. It's not a suggestion, it's there for a very good reason. If a ramp sign says '35 MPH' it MEANS 35 MPH, not 40 and not 45.

Now if you're driving on the freeway in a large city, I can understand going over the speed limit a bit so that you don't imped the flow of traffic. I normally set the cruise control at 60 and that's good enough for me. If someone wants to go faster then they can pass, they make multipal lanes for a reason. :wink:


The one thing I could never figure out is why people speed through active construction zones. If something were to happen and there are workers near the road, I'd hate to explain to my boss or a future employer what happened.

I've never had anyone say anything to me over the CB before, but I guess that's only because I drive a daycab and not a big truck. :E

 

there was guy on one of the cop shows last night in a 4 wheeler, he was stopped for doing 42 in a 30 , he said everyone else was doing at least 45 but because he was the lead car, he got the ticket. did I miss something? if he was going 42 and everyone else was going 45, how was he in the lead?

 

When I was with a trainer, he asked me how long the line is behind us. I was doing 45 in a 50 construction zone. I told him just because the speed limit is 50, doesn't mean I have to go fifty. 50 just seemed too fast in that area with me being a rookie.

 

I was exactly the same way!

If you drive uncomfortably you IMOP are risking you life and others.. Who gives a flip about trucker comments, they are not behind you wheel.

When I would go through the gorge is NC to TN, I would announce on the cb, that I drive slow, and if anyone wants to get ahead of me better do so now, befor I get there, other wise just shut up and drive. :lol:

A few truck driving heros would pass me, but I had a few who would want' to bet who goes the slowest. :lol:

Comfort in situations like this is what matters, But there are times when you don't want to be too comfortable, like enough to fall asleep :shock:

 

I'm one of those careful drivers as well. You probably pass me. :P

Better safe than sorry. I usually stay at 5mph under the speed limit. Most drivers who are flying past rarely get any further in a day's travel than I do. There have been times I've been passed by the same driver several times when running down the same stretch of road.

You can never go too slow down grades either.

 

I also drive the way you do.If you keep count of how many times the same truck passes you. It will amaze you. Keep doing what you are doing.Remember you control the truck,the truck doesn't control you. At high speeds,who do you think is in control?

 

Most new drivers don't have accidents in the first year because they are being cautious, they start to have accidents in the second year because they start to become over confident. Continue to drive the way you do, safe and smart, you will be alright.

Don't worry what those other a#$holes out there say, don't worry about keeping up with the big dogs. You are out there to make a living not to be popular among the super truckers. My truck in not governed, I could drive as fast as I want to, but I rarely drive over 65 for fuel economy.

I always drive the speed limit in construction zones, often a few mph slower than the posted speed, I can't count how many times I have almost been put into a barrier because some supertrucker couldn't wait to get by me in a zone where the lanes are barely wide enough to fit 2 trucks.

 

Don't worry about the speed on the interstate. If you are doing the speed limit that is all anyone could ask. Some trucks are governed slower than the speed limit in some states, which is fine too. In terms of taking off ramps. Those are speed advisories and not limits. I don't always comply with them if I can see how the ramp looks. There are a number around here with silly advisories, one is a 70 mph freeway ramp to another 70 mph freeway with an advisory of 45 mph, the ramp is banked so there is no way you have to slow down to 45... 60 mph is no problem on it.

If I am unfamiliar with a ramp I'll error on the safe side and do 5-10 mph under the advisory if I can't see what the ramp has in store for me...

All comes down to just being safe. Once you drive long enough you really get to know what the equipment you're driving is capable of, and how fast you can go around certain turns and off ramps, etc.

Like all the others said, don't let anyone tell you how to drive. If you are operating your rig in a safe manner, that's all you need to worry about.