4 ms·

Speaking from a necessity standpoint, how often does someone actually check their speed? How often does one need to check their speed? How often do you look a

Speaking from a necessity standpoint, how often does someone actually check their speed? How often does one need to check their speed? How often do you look at your car's thermometer, clock, compass, stereo, HVAC controls, or seat warmer switch? I would say 2 or more at least 2 times per car ride. In my experience I am either on small roads where the person in front of me or the windiness of the road artificially limit my speed to something around the speed limit. Or I am on a busy road where I am traveling close to the speed of traffic regardless of the speed limit. About the only time I check my speed is when I feel in danger and I want to rule myself out as the cause or when I see a cop car and I want to avoid getting pulled over. From what I have heard in reviews, the speed is displayed in the top right corner of the display and is no harder to see than a regular speedometer.

Erik816 9y ago
I am constantly checking my speed. But I guess that explains my frustration at other people who seem to swing wildly +-5 MPH for no clear reason.
- knicholes 9y ago
  This is why I'm so upset that my 2014 Leaf didn't have cruise control by default. It'd be like $300 to get it installed aftermarket.
  - cptskippy 9y ago
    $300 is surprisingly inexpensive. I'm assuming the wiring harness is in place and that's just to replace the steering wheel face to give you the controls?
    - knicholes 9y ago
      Oh-- I thought it was expensive!! Yeah, I can imagine all that needs to happen is they need to pull off a little face plate and put in the buttons/switches. I'm now embarrassed that I haven't figured out how to do it myself.
threeseed 9y ago
Not sure where you live but in places like Australia, UK etc. there are speed restrictions for certain areas. In particular when you drop from 60km/h to 40km/h during a school zone. These are often continuously monitored by speed cameras and subject to excessive fines and often loss of license. And if you've ever been in a high end car this drop in speed is often hard to notice. So yes, a lot of the population are constantly checking their speeds. Otherwise you at risk of losing your license and if you cause an accident going to jail.
- cptskippy 9y ago
  We have speed controlled zones in the US as well and I don't see how that makes a difference. It's a speed limit, not a speed requirement. Unless you're riding the speed limit and leaving yourself no margin for error then you should be actively monitoring your speedometer with sub-minute frequency and having to glance to your side instead of down isn't going to impact you much if at all. My point is that where I'm from I typically don't get to decide my speed because it's dictated by externalities like traffic or road conditions. I also have a pretty good idea of the speed I'm travel and when moving through speed control zones I know if I need to slow down without watching my speedometer like a hawk.
soziawa 9y ago
Are there no speed cameras where you are from? Most people I know would get between 5 and 10 fines per ride if they did not check their speed.
- cptskippy 9y ago
  A speed limit is an upper bound maximum safe speed, not the speed you're required to travel at on the road. If you're unable to approximate your speed and keep it under the speed limit without a gauge then maybe you shouldn't be driving?

Erik816 9y ago

I am constantly checking my speed. But I guess that explains my frustration at other people who seem to swing wildly +-5 MPH for no clear reason.

knicholes 9y ago
This is why I'm so upset that my 2014 Leaf didn't have cruise control by default. It'd be like $300 to get it installed aftermarket.
- cptskippy 9y ago
  $300 is surprisingly inexpensive. I'm assuming the wiring harness is in place and that's just to replace the steering wheel face to give you the controls?
  - knicholes 9y ago
    Oh-- I thought it was expensive!! Yeah, I can imagine all that needs to happen is they need to pull off a little face plate and put in the buttons/switches. I'm now embarrassed that I haven't figured out how to do it myself.

threeseed 9y ago

Not sure where you live but in places like Australia, UK etc. there are speed restrictions for certain areas. In particular when you drop from 60km/h to 40km/h during a school zone. These are often continuously monitored by speed cameras and subject to excessive fines and often loss of license. And if you've ever been in a high end car this drop in speed is often hard to notice. So yes, a lot of the population are constantly checking their speeds. Otherwise you at risk of losing your license and if you cause an accident going to jail.

cptskippy 9y ago
We have speed controlled zones in the US as well and I don't see how that makes a difference. It's a speed limit, not a speed requirement. Unless you're riding the speed limit and leaving yourself no margin for error then you should be actively monitoring your speedometer with sub-minute frequency and having to glance to your side instead of down isn't going to impact you much if at all. My point is that where I'm from I typically don't get to decide my speed because it's dictated by externalities like traffic or road conditions. I also have a pretty good idea of the speed I'm travel and when moving through speed control zones I know if I need to slow down without watching my speedometer like a hawk.

soziawa 9y ago

Are there no speed cameras where you are from? Most people I know would get between 5 and 10 fines per ride if they did not check their speed.

cptskippy 9y ago
A speed limit is an upper bound maximum safe speed, not the speed you're required to travel at on the road. If you're unable to approximate your speed and keep it under the speed limit without a gauge then maybe you shouldn't be driving?