When I took driving classes some 20 years ago, we learned that it isn't necessarily the speed that's dangerous. It's the differences in speeds. If everyone else is going 70 in a 55, then it's safer to go 65 than 55. That one car going significantly slower causes more interruptions in the flow of traffic, more turbulence, like a stone in a creek. The flow of water has to quickly divert to go around or just slow down and bunch up. If not for that stone, the water would be gentle.
I barely drive at all and I have gotten into three situations of moose or deer appearing on the road from out of nowhere. I prefer to go slower during hours when big wildlife creatures are more active, regardless of other cars. Speed difference to the moose 🫎 gets bigger the faster you go. I live in a country with a lot of forests and wildlife
If everyone else was jumping off cliffs, would you do it too? I often see idiots on the motorway here not obeying road work speed limits, but you bet your arse I'll be slowing right down.
Yup. As in the speed limit is lower (the "55") and everyone is still going the original speed (the "70"), I'm not going to go faster (the "65") just to please them
I mean... I have. So I guess it would depend on the circumstance. Base jumping is terrifying but fun, but in the case you presented, my statement still holds true. The reason you slow down for road work is because there are people and machines standing still, on or next to the road. The difference between a vehicle traveling 60mph and one parked beside the road is roughly... zero and zero is zero, carry the zero, yeah, roughly 60mph.
22
u/Puzzleheaded_Ad_4435 Feb 27 '25
When I took driving classes some 20 years ago, we learned that it isn't necessarily the speed that's dangerous. It's the differences in speeds. If everyone else is going 70 in a 55, then it's safer to go 65 than 55. That one car going significantly slower causes more interruptions in the flow of traffic, more turbulence, like a stone in a creek. The flow of water has to quickly divert to go around or just slow down and bunch up. If not for that stone, the water would be gentle.