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by kagua2 from montgomery county

Last Post 17 days, 22 hours Ago


Can You Drive 55?
Jul 21, 2008 | 4:51 PM
Category: News
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Brittany received a citation for speeding for exiting the freeway at 50 MPH into a 40 MPH zone. This was in Humble between Townsend Blvd. and Deerbrook Mall. I went to court with her in Humble and the judge stated that the law in Texas gives the court the right to extend the basic fine another $25 a month for every month one requests a payment plan to pay the ticket. Brittany chose to pay the fine over a period of two months, thereby raising the fine another $50. I'm not paying it, although it would be less expensive all the way around just to attempt (operative word) to have her repay me. She has no job, although it appears that she is diligently attempting to find work. I know most people do speed; she was unfortunate to get caught. I told her when she approaches the exit and knows the speed is going to drop anywhere from 20 to 40 MPH, she needs to begin to slow down far in advance of the exit. I suppose what I am trying to get at is that people who do drive at unsafe speeds need to realize that their elitist attitude to get there ASAP makes it difficult for people who actually drive the speed limit. It is so frustrating trying to maintain a safe speed and have someone bear down and tailgate you. This happens to me all the time. Does anyone think that it's possible that people would adhere if the 55 MPH limit was once again imposed on freeways?
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Member Comments Total Comments: 13
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PBMom read my blog view my photos
Jul 21, 2008 | 6:23 PM

I don't think we should waste the money changing all the signs. We could use that money for other things, like prize incentives for people to come up with affordable green options for consumers, or incentives for homeowners to invest themselves.

As far as this $25.00 per month extra fee for a payment plan, that is highway robbery. I'd like to see what their fees are for people who don't pay their personal property taxes.
chassan read my blog view my photos
Jul 21, 2008 | 8:42 PM

Kagua,

If the price of gas jumps to $5-6 a gallon, I think we should lower the speed limit to 55 mph.

People would grumble and say it's wrong, but at $5-6 a gallon, it would be the right move to help reduce consumption.
silenthunder read my blog
Jul 22, 2008 | 4:23 AM

Some lessons in life are more difficult than others.
I salute you for refusing to pay the fine for Brittany. You just may be saving her life as she will undoubtedly learn from this experience.
Many times we are unaware of how our actions may affect the future. The more difficult the decision is, the more likely the final decision will be the correct one.
Skyder read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 7:49 AM

To answer your question about people adhering to the 55 MPH... They don't obey the 65 now, so I'm gonna say no.
awatkins read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 8:48 AM

i'll comment on the drivers who tailgate when you try to do the speed limit. a couple years ago i did deferred adjudication on a ticket, so if i had no more infractions for 6 months, it would be dropped from my record. but geez are people obnoxious when you do the speed limit. and it was exactly where your daughter had trouble. getting on and getting off the highway i'd just about get run over. i'd like to say that's a good program. over that period of time it does change your habits if you have a tendency to go too fast.i got my ticket when i was furious about having to go back to my house to get something i'd forgotten. it was an expensive lesson.
torchbearer read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 8:51 AM

Skyder said what I was going to say.
A large segment does not respect the 70 MPH speed, so they sure will not obey the 55!

Texas law suggests that you drive 1 car length per 10 MPH behind the car in front of you.
I tried that several times, & I was riding my brake & making little progress, along with many ugly gestures from people behind me!
Unless ALL obey the law, it will not work, perhaps!
kagua2 read my blog
Jul 22, 2008 | 9:10 AM

I had to go to Madisonville over the weekend. I think in Willis or New Waverly (somewhere on I-45), the speed limit rises to 70. I drove 75. People were flying past me. Yes, on occasion, just to be a smart a$$, I worked the car up to 90, but would immediately revert back to 75. Even at 90, people were passing me. It was just my own little experiment to see how crazy people would actually drive. There was a trailer hauling furniture that passed me at 90. What would have happened if that trailer became unhitched? I always change lanes when someone is hauling something because I AM afraid that a trailer would become unhitched and slam into me. It has really gotten to the point where I don't even like to drive anymore. On FM 1960, the speed limit is 50 and people drive like they're in NASCAR.
mik1of3 read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 9:50 AM

Ha ha ha ha...(not laughing at Brittany, kagua, but your question).

I drive Beltway 8 from I45s to I59s every morning. Just TRY to do 65 on this city's answer to the Autobahn. It's a good way to commit suicide, I'll say that much!!

So, to answer your question, NO.
kagua2 read my blog
Jul 22, 2008 | 6:47 PM

I know mik, it is like the Autobahn! BTW, you can laugh at Brittany; her dad and I are always on her about her "heavy foot" and how she can increase her gas mileage if she WOULD do the speed limit. I occasionally use the beltway and I'm appalled at how fast people drive. Then again, I'm appalled at how fast they drive on ALL the freeways. I know this is a form of road rage, but where I live, there are many streets with one lane in either direction. If someone is bearing down on me, I deliberately do EXACTLY the speed limit just to pi$$ them off. My car was designed to be driven fast and they probably really get upset when I don't speed up. Bad of me, I know.
Gottaluvit read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 7:59 PM

Lowering the speed limit to 55 will do nothing but get a lot of people KILLED. They don't obey the speed limit now and slower cars are going to get hit. I drive the posted limit on all tollways and freeways and I get dirty looks from these BLEEP as they blow by me at 80 mph. The bigger the differance in speeds between 2 vehicles the more likely thay will meet up in a bad way. Just give them time. The cops DON'T enforce the laws now and the 2 second rule.....forget it. If you give yourself 6 car spaces at 60 mph you will get cut off by 2 semis and 4 suburbans. You can't slip a piece of paper between the bumpers of cars at 60 mph. That's why we have 5 car pileups on our roads. I choose for the safe distance. I don't want to become part of a sandwitch. They drive 45 to 50 mph on residential streets posted 30 mph. Bottom line: Houston is a free for all and anything goes. Be careful and B-safe.
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kagua2

Married, 2 kids, very consumer rights-oriented. Into current events, entertainment, politics. Hard-core classic rock fan, especially music from the '60's and 70's. Animal lover. Transplanted Yankee since '89. My new avatar is a picture of my dog, Zoe, who some of you already know.

Member Since: 11/26/2007


 

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