Why are vehicles made to exceed the speed limits here in the US?

Question

I've always wondered why cars, trucks, motorcycles which are intended for street use are made to exceed, sometimes they easily double, the national speed limits?

When should you need to exceed the speed limit?

This kind of reminds me of the whole gun manufacturer thing from a couple of years ago where people sued gun makers when someone got killed by a gun they made. I don't think that makes sense, but I do think the plaintiffs had some success with that in the courts - does the same logic apply to cars that go fast?

Just curious about your thoughts. Thanks.

Answer 1

Same question every week and the same answer, "speed sells car, trucks and motorcycles" manufacturers don't care about people only the profit.

Answer 2

SPEED does not kill...poor judement kills.

We give a license to anyone who has $10.00 and a pulse.

In Germany, where there are NO speed limits on the autobahns, they have much less deaths per 100,000 drivers/hours driven.

It's also our very poor attitude towards driving...we don't take it serious, that's why we "need" cupholders and cellphones...

Answer 3

A few great responses here!

The TOP speed of a car is a speed that it achieves with GREAT difficulty.  I was trying max out an old Ford Taurus, and it took over a mile to get from 105 to 115 mph.

Making a car's top speed 80mph to drive 65 is just stupid.  People will not be able to merge, or make changes fast enough.  It'll be h**l with the general publics already retarded driving skills (int he US only).

Then you have people with 500hp in their low slung sports cars with tires as wide as dinner plates.  Its just something we like :)  

Just because you can go fast doesn't mean you should.

But since not every car is built the same, I think safety standards and speed limits should vary with car type.

The average SUV is hardly safe at 80mph in terms of control.  you can do jack at 80,  just brake - slowly.

I can say with absolute certainty that I'm perfectly safe and in control at 80mph in my car.

If only slow drivers MOVE to the right lanes where they belong,  half the problems would be eliminated.

Answer 4

Many things that are sold in the US can be used to break the law.  It is our choice if we use them to break the law or not.

j

Answer 5

well, living in ohio, being around 2 lane country roads where the speed limit is 5-60mph, i see y the cars have to be able to go faster then the speed limit.

say that the speed limit is 60, on a 2 lane road, and there is a semi truck doing 55. you want to pass the semi. how long will it take to pass the truck if u can only go 60, while u hope no1 is coming the other direction?    btw, no cop will give u a ticket if ur at the speed limit, speed up to pass(on 2 lane road) and then slow back down.

Answer 6

There are states with no speed limits on interstates. I believe Wyoming is one of them. So you can use your fast car there. However the true reason is Americans love with fast and big cars. The bigger and faster, the better. It is a status symbol in our society more than anything else. Manufaturers recognize that and is one of their top marketing tactics. Our laws still put the liability of speeding on the driver (justifiably in my opinion) so auto makers keep exploiting that to make profits.

Answer 7

The people who want speed and power, even with government-restricted engines, would find a way to modify their vehicles to get the power, illegially, that they want. These kinds of restrictions would work about as well as liquor prohibition in the 1920's, which had to be repealed in the 1930's because it simply didn't work.

Answer 8

Vehicles made to exceed the speed limits bec. sometimes, it's necessary to accelerate rapidly in order to avoid an accident -- even if it means momentarily exceeding the posted limit.

Answer 9

safety, and traffic jams, if every car only did 65 mph, then the roads would e clogged