The Speed Limit Debate
                          How do I Stand?
                        "I can't drive 55"

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                                             Table of Contents

                                   Quotes from prior Generations:
                                          Shane Cobb-Adams(G4)
                                          Heidi Easly( G4)
                                          Cherilyn Okazaki(G4)
                                    My feelings on this issue:
                           Web sites on speeding:
                                           How to avoid getting hung in court
                                           Tips on speeding in the USA
                                           P.A.S.T. (Parents against speeding teens)
                           Newsgroups:
                                           Jack Smith:
                                          Adam Bennet:
                           Epilogue: My Views:
Shane Cobb-Adams, G4.  "  I also believe that because certain states
have successfully adopted speed limits in the 70-75 mile per hour range
and places like Europe have places where there are no speed limits, that
there is a good case to be made for the repeal of maximum speed limits.
The fact that speed limits were first imposed to conserve gas in the seven
ties also helps make a good case for speed limit reform".

Heidi Easley, G4. "It is necessary to limit the driving speed of individuals. Yes, a limit on speed chews away a bit of our freedom but it facilitates a safer environment to live in. Speedlimit laws assist in maintaining balance in a world of chaos".

Cherilyn Okazaki, G4. "As for my point of view, I've found way more Cons than I did Pros. I'm almost sure that it is biased towards my attitudes on this subject. Maybe it is because of where I live. Hawaii is small with little road space for such a drastic change compared to the rest of the United States. A speed limit is needed because there are many places on the freeways where there is traffic at almost anytime of the day except in the wee hours of the morning. I have a reason to believe that when the engineers made our streets and highways, they did sowith the intent that there would most definitely be a speed limit".
My feelings on the issue of speeding are as follows:  First, I think for the most part speed limits are set too low.  There are times when there is a limited amount of traffic and it would be safe to exceed 55 miles per hour but under the current law we cannot do that without risk of penalty.  One idea would be to have higher speed limits for times of days when traffic is minimal or higher limits on roads with little traffic.   I also feel however that a person should drive according to what the situation dictates.  For example, I speed regularly but if I'm driving in heavy rain with low visibility I will usually drive the limit or slower. 

"How to Avoid Getting Hung in Court", is a website devoted to avoiding paying for speeding tickets.  This site offers some fairly sound advice as to what to do after you've been nailed for speeding.  Some tips offered are how to size up the judge your going to face, what to plead, and when to leave the courtroom altogether with the hope of facing a different judge on a different day.  The author of the site claims to have received over 30 tickets in the last 10 years and only has 1 point on his record.  This seems rather hard to believe but I assume its possible. 

"Tips on Speeding in the USA"  is a website that gives tips on the art of speeding in the USA.  Most of the tips are common sense like looking in your mirrors for cops in the rear-view, stay alert and so forth.  One tip I like was called "find a patsy".  This involves getting another high speed driver in a mock race then slowing down while he speeds ahead.  What will usually happen is that the driver will get pulled over down the line and you can cruise right by.  As with the previous site, this site also offers tips as to what to do in court once you do get a ticket. 

P.A.S.T which stands for parents against speeding teens is completely different from the previous two sites.  This site is totally anti-speed.  The site starts off with a horrific story including pictures of two friends that were tragically killed while speeding.  Also included on this site are stories from paramedics, advice for parents and brochures.
      In summary, I would have to side with the speeders.  I know speeding is dangerous but for some reason I feel that I am a good enough driver where I can avoid accident and injury.  I know this thinking is naive but I used to ride a motorcycle which I feel trains a driver to become more aware of the road.

Author:   jack smith
Email:  y121@webtv.net
Date:       1998/11/18
Forums:    alt.law-enforcement.traffic

    Just wondering if other states have this problem. Here where I live
in western North Carolina the speed limit signs are worthless.
People just drive the way they want. Why don't you people enforce the
law? I have had 2 tickets in the past myself and they pissed me
off but I had it coming. I try to obey traffic laws and drive at or
below posted speed limits.  And I am not a old fogey. If I can so can every one else.

My Opinion:
     This persons attitude is rather hypocritical, on the one hand he wants everybody to obey the speed limit but then admits to getting two tickets himself.


Speeding Tickets
Author:  Adam Bennett
Email:  supergasman@mindspring.com
Date: 1998/11/22
Forums: atl.general

I have heard that if you send a money order for above the amount of a
fine for a ticket that it would not go on your record untill you cashed
the refunded amount that they send back to you.  Anyone know if this
rumor holds true?

Supergasman

My Opinion:
     This posting is a question about an urban legend that has been floating around the internet recently.  A reply was sent to the poster with this address:http://snopes.simplenet.com/spoons/faxlore/ticket.htm
so I decided to check it out.  The site basically de-bunks urban legends, what it has to say about this legend is that it originated in Australia and may actually work down under.  The urban legend was then sent around the U.S. but according to Snopes it will not work here.


      The attitude I see with the people who post on newsgroups about speeding is very black and white.  Either your in favor of speeding or your against it, there is no middle ground.  Personally, I'll stay on the side which happens to favor speeding.  I know its against the law, but laws were made to be broken.

Epilogue

      In speaking to future generations I would have to say there is plenty of information to be found on the internet regarding speeding.  There are those who think the speed limit is too low, those who think its too high, and those that think there should not be a speed limit.  My opinions have not changed significantly during the writing of this report, however, I did become aware of some of the consequences of teen-age speeding.  Finally, I don't think there is really a right or wrong stance on the speeding issue, as everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. 


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