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The EU takes speed limits more seriously than the US.

prepend 2y ago
I drove 1700 miles on French interstate highways. I think the posted limit was like 120 or 130 kph. I went 10 over and cars were flying past me. I never saw a cop over that week. And cars had great manners with everyone in the right lane except when passing. But at least in France I get the sense that the speed limit isn’t followed closely.
- bena 2y ago
  That's roughly 75 - 80 mph. Which is the average posted speed limit on US interstates.
  - prepend 2y ago
    Yes. My comment wasn’t on the level, but responding to “people in Europe follow the speed limit more than the US.”
  - yodsanklai 2y ago
    According to wikipedia > The maximum speed limit on Interstate Highways is 75 mph (121 km/h). This limit may be applied outside of "urbanized areas", where speeds of over 85 mph (137 km/h) on any highway (regardless of the posted speed limit) is considered a criminal (rather than civil) offense.
    - deleted 2y ago
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- yodsanklai 2y ago
  > But at least in France I get the sense that the speed limit isn’t followed closely This is correct. The speed limit is 130kph. You don't risk very much by driving (reasonably) above the speed limit. 140-150kph on a highway is quite common. If no traffic by night, I consider myself pretty safe at 160kph. There is some automated speed control, but it's indicated by signs. That being said, I think people drive more slowly than what they use too On the other hand, my experience in the US is that people are much more abiding of the speed limits, and I often see cops on the side of the road, and they do chase and catch people! (amusing to see as a foreigner). People in the US are also more civil and patient and don't honk nearly is much, which is great. EDIT: https://www.groupama.fr/assurance-auto/conseils/amende-exces-vitesse/ https://www.groupama.fr/assurance-auto/conseils/amende-exces... 29km/h above the speed limit is only a 65 euros fine.
  - seanmcdirmid 2y ago
    The USA is a huge country, so it’s not weird that your experience on speed checks in the states is completely different from mine.
deleted 2y ago
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I drove 1700 miles on French interstate highways. I think the posted limit was like 120 or 130 kph. I went 10 over and cars were flying past me. I never saw a cop over that week. And cars had great manners with everyone in the right lane except when passing. But at least in France I get the sense that the speed limit isn’t followed closely.

bena 2y ago
That's roughly 75 - 80 mph. Which is the average posted speed limit on US interstates.
- prepend 2y ago
  Yes. My comment wasn’t on the level, but responding to “people in Europe follow the speed limit more than the US.”
- yodsanklai 2y ago
  According to wikipedia > The maximum speed limit on Interstate Highways is 75 mph (121 km/h). This limit may be applied outside of "urbanized areas", where speeds of over 85 mph (137 km/h) on any highway (regardless of the posted speed limit) is considered a criminal (rather than civil) offense.
  - deleted 2y ago
    [deleted]
yodsanklai 2y ago
> But at least in France I get the sense that the speed limit isn’t followed closely This is correct. The speed limit is 130kph. You don't risk very much by driving (reasonably) above the speed limit. 140-150kph on a highway is quite common. If no traffic by night, I consider myself pretty safe at 160kph. There is some automated speed control, but it's indicated by signs. That being said, I think people drive more slowly than what they use too On the other hand, my experience in the US is that people are much more abiding of the speed limits, and I often see cops on the side of the road, and they do chase and catch people! (amusing to see as a foreigner). People in the US are also more civil and patient and don't honk nearly is much, which is great. EDIT: https://www.groupama.fr/assurance-auto/conseils/amende-exces-vitesse/ https://www.groupama.fr/assurance-auto/conseils/amende-exces... 29km/h above the speed limit is only a 65 euros fine.
- seanmcdirmid 2y ago
  The USA is a huge country, so it’s not weird that your experience on speed checks in the states is completely different from mine.

deleted 2y ago

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