The speed limit?

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Geekspeak

Posted by geekspeak on February 28, 2006 - 2:37 PM

Iâ€™m back for yet another post in this Augusta Chronicle READER blog (see comments from this post to get the reference). My past two posts have dealt with some meaty issues, so I thought it might be time for a small change of pace.

When was the last time you obeyed the speed limit on the interstate? Would you even consider obeying the speed limit in Atlanta? Itâ€™d almost be suicide to consider such a thing on I-285!

Yet, these brave (misguided?) souls did it. Check out the following that was posted on Googleâ€™s video site.

WARNING: Some graphic language is used in this video. It's not safe for work, school, county commission meetings, or political rallies. You have been warned.

Go to Geekspeak

Submitted by gmadwa on February 28, 2006 - 4:44 PM.

Misguided and illegal is what these kids were doing on 285. State Law states that slower traffic is to move to the right. Also, aggressive driving is prohibited by law as well. In this case, blocking all lanes of traffic on 285 is VERY aggressive and is just as dangerous, illegal and stupid as tailgaiting - or jamming on the brakes to "warn" tailgaiters.

By blocking all lanes of 285 for what appeared to be an extended period of time, these children may have caused numerous injury related accidents ( we know they caused at least one vehicle-vehicle accident). What if there had been emergency vehicles in the back of their self imposed traffic jam?

Childish and Illegal at minimum, Dangerous and potentially deadly behavior in the worst case.

Submitted by kirbycoggin on February 28, 2006 - 9:43 PM.

The law states that slower traffic is to keep right, but it also states that the max speed is 55 for this highway. Therefore there is no legal traffic any faster than these kids. Speeders.....buck up and stop acting like you are the only ones that matter. Leave earlier if you need to get there faster!

Submitted by gmadwa on March 01, 2006 - 10:41 AM.

It is not their right to enforce speed limits, or yours. If you don't like the speeds on the highway, take the back roads or if you see someone speeding, call the police or file a complaint after getting the tag number.

Blocking all lanes of traffic on one of the busiest highways in America is just plain stupid and very dangerous. If you listen to the tape there are several references where they were either exceeding the speed limit or driving below it. Hardly perfect drivers by their own definition.

In fact, several States including Georgia are close to passing "passing lane" laws that make it illegal to stay in the left lanes except to pass other cars/trucks unless you are in heavy traffic. This would be great because it would keep folks like these from jamming up traffic by not passing on the left.

Submitted by kirbycoggin on March 01, 2006 - 10:23 PM.

Passing lane laws are a great idea, but the bottom line is that the only accident in the event was caused by someone passing illegally and speeding, not by the kids driving the limit. Fix the law, don't just break it.

Submitted by gmadwa on March 02, 2006 - 10:47 AM.

I agree the accident was caused by illegal passing/ speeding, but the kids were blocking all lanes on purpose which created this type of road rage incident. Again, clear evidence that citizens should attempt to enforce speed limits on the highways. Call the police.

BTW - I drive 285 everyday and it is an insane asylum. There are not enough police is the state to enforce speed limits. Usual traffic normally takes care of the problem....

Submitted by queen4842 on March 02, 2006 - 12:09 PM.

Instead of making complaints about what they did, IMO they had a very well thought out plan, implementation and proved their point.
The average age of these children was what 18 or higher?
Their message is clear, what entitles a speeder to the right to endanger all of us?
The law is clear as the speed limit is posted all over that highway.

Good job!

Now was anyone listening/watching????????

Submitted by parrott on March 03, 2006 - 10:03 AM.

What you will see in the near future is a traffic system that is photo ticket, they currently use them at stop lights seventy to eighty dollars a pop, because they only care about your speeding as a revenue source.
Ever follow a police car THEY ALWAYS SPEED, they can't all be on a call all of the time!
It's all about the power to the Police, and the money to the Politicians.
Wrecks happen at all speeds, if they want to stop speeders why do they build cars that will do near 150 miles per hour, motorcycles that will do 200 mph it makes no since.

Submitted by gmadwa on March 03, 2006 - 10:09 AM.

On second thought, these college kids making a statement is really typical and funny. Except for the 10 or 20 cars/trucks immediately behind them, no one else in the backup had any idea what was going on and more than likely thought it was just another jam on 285. I noticed they pulled this stunt in mid morning after rush hours.

As a seasoned Atlanta commuter, it a rare instance that I can even approach the speed limit between 7-10am, 11:45-1:30 and 3-6:30pm.
On the weekends we have so much construction it is even worse at times.

The real message here is that this was a great way to gain attention for these kids.

Now we will get to see the copy cat kids.....

Submitted by getforreal on March 04, 2006 - 4:49 AM.

I think what these young adults did was let everyone know that two wrongs dont make a right but it was a brilliant way for them to show how its ok to break the law if it benefits all involved. The person passing on the emergency lane broke the law. These young adults were doing the posted speed limit. THATS THE FACT.... I personally like driving fast=== but I pay my tickets and insurance --- if you dont like it.... MOVE OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE !!!!!

Submitted by dgriffin4 on March 08, 2006 - 1:50 PM.

Another great example of funding research for matter displacement generators, telecommuting, virtual offices, etc.!

Submitted by fatbass on March 11, 2006 - 10:18 AM.

I think what these young adult did is great. Some nut refered to the left lane being the fast lane, thats right 55 mph is the fast lane, anything slower is the right lanes. Anyone that would make it illegal to be in the left hand lane holding up traffic is a moron. You can literally get trapped in the left lane by you death wish drivers. Well just don't hurt an innocent person take yourself and your family out and leave me alone. I'm trying to protect mine.

Submitted by SleepyJuno on April 20, 2006 - 9:11 PM.

You're missing the point of the whole video. It's not about speeding being good or bad or the driving skills/lack thereof of Atlanta drivers. It's about the fact that the speed limit is completely ineffective and rather ridiculous. Those of you who say you drive in Atlanta during times of high volume should know that, except for the 30-40 minutes when it's at its absolute worst, I-285 is almost frightening to drive on if you actually make an attempt to drive at any speed even remotely resembling the posted speed limit. That's it. That's all it's about. They aren't a bunch of stupid kids intentionally out to act dangerously and recklessly. They're proving their point in the most direct manner possible.

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