Why does driving at the posted speed limit PISS so many people off? If it posted at 70, Im getting passed by everyone. I assume they are driving at least 90MPH. Even a large semi will ease it way past my car (going downhill) of course. School zones are 15 and other rural roads (not freeway) 25, 35, and 55;  these speeds I strictly keep. When it comes to STOP signs, I make a complete stop (look then go), not a rolling stop as everyone else does. other examples are work zones and freeway off ramps which are 25.
I've been honked and flicked off for driving safely and within the LAW. Cops have pulled my over for driving at the posted speed limit for driving too slowly...   ( "because I was driving at the speed limit, you look very suspicious").


Even worse is that family members gets literally irritated at the speed I drive at. They have gotten so mad, as to tell me to pullover and let them drive and said that I am "crazy in the head" about driving at all posted speed signs.




I need to maintain a clean abstract for my career and future employments. Airline pilots require a clean record. Yeap Airplanes also have speed limits.

I have to admit I am guilty of this same behavior. I drive the speed limit and do so for similar reasons to you. There is nothing wrong with driving the speed limit. I find I don't get to where I am going much quicker by speeding and lane changing.

With that said, an old tenant of mine on the Big Island was traveling the road towards Kona from Southpoint and had a guy behind him who was tired of going the speed limit and rear ended him. They did a number on the rear end of his Jeep and drove away never to be caught. Not sure if it was done purposely or if they just got too close due to frustration.

Cops have pulled my over for driving at the posted speed limit for driving too slowly...   ( "because I was driving at the speed limit, you look very suspicious").

Reminds me of an old Cheech & Chong skit from one of their albums:

Cheech: "We drive 5 miles an hour, that way we don't attract attention"

Taxi and commercial drivers holding rigidly to the limit do not piss me off, I understand their job is at risk. 

I prefer to drive in my comfort zone, but do not get worked up if not able to get up to that.  Switching from a hot WRX with a 5spd trans to a truck with an auto helped enormously in making a more sedate pace tolerable.  No more, hurry up so I can get into 4th or 5th and stop having to shift.

I try to drive the speed limit the last week of each month and before/after a holiday.  That's when the speed enforcement cops seem to be out -- for safety, of course (they tell us they don't have quotas).

Most often, I try to at least keep up with traffic.  If they are going 10 over, I'm with them.  Impeding the flow of traffic is dangerous.  As you said, people get irate.  That can be bad.

Ever notice when someone in front of you is going "too slow", they need to speed up or get out of "your" lane?  When someone behind you wants YOU to go faster, they need to slow down or go around you!   

Ever notice when someone in front of you is going "too slow", they need to speed up or get out of "your" lane?  When someone behind you wants YOU to go faster, they need to slow down or go around you!   

Had some ditz in front of me the other day that barely crept away from the light, holding everyone up.  Finally got around her to look back after I got up to the 45 limit and she was a good 1/2 mile back with everyone stacked up behind her.

That is what pisses people off,  it is just unnatural to drive that slow.  Had to be texting and oblivious to the congestion they were causing.

If you want to drive at the legal limit that's fine. Just stay to the right.

If you're on a 2 lane highway, most jurisdictions require that if you have 7 or more cars backed up behind you, you must pull over to allow them to pass.

Check your local laws.

With that said, an old tenant of mine on the Big Island was traveling the road towards Kona from Southpoint and had a guy behind him who was tired of going the speed limit and rear ended him.

A lot of that road is tricky.  Very twisty with blind turns and those not familiar do not speed.  Locals that drive it every day know the turns and scream through.  Mamalhoa Hwy above me same way, tight and twisty, slow for everyone but locals that know it.

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If you are driving in the RIGHT lane, this shouldn't be a problem. However, if you are driving in the left lane, you might be in the wrong.

In most states, the left lane is primarily a passing lane even there is no traffic.

People here must not ever learn that rule.  I've driven behind someone for a century waiting for a way around them, and they just keep going, 5 miles under the limit in the left lane!

Most of the speed school zone speed limits here are 25, maybe 15 in some areas. It is a good idea to pay close attention to the speed limits in school zones and construction zones as the fine for those starts at about $300.

I get what you mean though about people complaining when others actually drive the limit.

Last time I was in Neveda, the limit was 80, 
by god, i swear . the the flow of traffic was near 100 for most cars.

I felt my car was going to fall apart. I was defiantly  not comfortable driving 100mph  in a econo rental car.

If you are driving in the RIGHT lane, this shouldn't be a problem. However, if you are driving in the left lane, you might be in the wrong.

In most states, the left lane is primarily a passing lane even there is no traffic.

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I don't recall anything in the Hawaii driver's manual about the left lane being a passing lane.
Anybody got a new manual with that left lane law?

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awaii Revised Statutes, 291C-41: "Drive on right side of roadway; exceptions. (a) Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows: (1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement."

That rule is for general direction of roads, it means we drive on the right side of a road unlike Japan or GB where they drive on the LEFT HALF of the road.
Oldfart was referring to inner and outer lanes of the same direction.

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I felt my car was going to fall apart. I was defiantly  not comfortable driving 100mph  in a econo rental car.

Yes, there is a wild disparity is the capability of cars on the road, the tires they have, and most critically, the reflexes and eyesight of the drivers.

It is actually hilarious that most of the fastest cars these days are driven by men, that by the time they can afford to buy that toy, should be taking the bus.

Check out the average age of new Corvette or Porsche drivers.  Luckily, most drive like they are in a Priaps, so no worries.

Drivers here have a tough time understanding what to do when they see a big truck with lights and sirens right behind them.   

 Convincing them the left lane should only be used for passing slower vehicles is going to be on the verge of impossible!   

Suka there is a design principle in Traffic/Transportation Engineering that is called the 85th Percentile.

Basically it means that if 85% of the people deem that a certain mph is reasonable, it probably it is.  Believe it or not it's pretty accurate for daylight conditions.  It doesn't hold up so well when you get into rain, fog, snow, etc.  If you're in the 15%, drive faster.

The problem is that the traffic driving laws in Hawaii are poorly developed, and the posted speed limits are too low. I think oldfart is correct, there is nothing in the Hawaii driver's manual or statutes that designates the left lane as a passing lane, or requires that drivers follow that rule. But it's good advice and may be required in other states. I've taken both the Hawaii and California driver's license tests, and the questions are completely different in focus.

Suka there is a design principle in Traffic/Transportation Engineering that is called the 85th Percentile.

Basically it means that if 85% of the people deem that a certain mph is reasonable, it probably it is.  Believe it or not it's pretty accurate for daylight conditions.  It doesn't hold up so well when you get into rain, fog, snow, etc.  If you're in the 15%, drive faster.

Only comfortable speed I drive at within reason and legal is 65mph on a MAJOR freeway. some of these single lane back roads posted speed is 55mph.