Recently, Playboy magazine quoted statistics indicating that moving violations had become mostly speeding tickets.

The ‘Drive 55′ campaign didn’t last long. In the 1980s with the introduction of seat belt laws and reasonable speed limits, automobile safety (and lowering gas consumption) seemed to be the one of the nation’s priorities.

Not anymore. In 1987, states saw the dismantling of those speed limit laws, with an increase to 65 miles per hour. Then in 1995 these federal laws were dismantled altogether and many states have set their upper speed limits at 75. Of course road fatilities have increased as well — but no one seems to really care about that (SUVs anyone?). For more about speed limits — Click HERE.

Anyway, speeding is the norm here on L.A. freeways (when the traffic is moving). I believe people drive so damn fast here because they are frustrated by slow moving traffic and when there is an opportunity, they gun it.

Realizing when I drive on the freeways to keep up with traffic, I often see my spedometer topping out at 80, I decided that it would be more prudent to follow the speed limit — except, I don’t know what it is.

On most days, to the gym, I take the 10 freeway from Crenshaw to Bundy — and I swear I haven’t been able to find a speed limit sign. Not even before or after the 405 merge. A few days ago, I was on the 405 for a bit — no speed limit signs. I was even on the 101 and for my short trip no speed limit signs. Now, I figure the speed limit is probably 65 — but you couldn’t tell by the traffic. Cars are zipping along at 70, 80mph, in the right lanes. No one seems to feel a need to slow down.

Why should they?

They have cars with 200 to 300 horsepower. Six cylinder cars offering more power and more speed dominate sales. With cell phones to keep them busy and ever more powerful SUVs, why not drive as fast as they can. There’s no one there to stop them.

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