DaveinOlyWA said:
Why is breaking the law so coveted that ones who obey the law are so persecuted?
I've long found the phenomenon intriguing. When it comes to the speed limit, actually obeying the law brands one as an ass. The prevailing attitude is that the speed limit is a hard minimum. As in "at least do the speed limit", or "you can't even do the speed limit?". There's the law, and then there's the social norm, which as best I can tell, radically redefines proper highway speed.
Localities vary, but the following seems to be the "
REAL U.S. Speed Law" in my experience, on a 65 mph highway.
Under 65 mph --- "jerks", "idiots", "a*holes", "eco-nuts" and the infirm (despised, vaguely illegal)
Exactly 65 mph --- the very old (who probably shouldn't be driving), or someone about to lose their license due to points from speeding violations (this is acceptable due to "honorably earned" status though they should really do 70).
65-70 mph -- elderly but still somewhat able, sissies, and other overly cautious people (marginally allowable, keep right)
75 mph -- normal drivers, ideal 10mph speeding (respectable)
80 mph -- people who want to make good time (respectable)
85 mph -- BMW drivers, the young, or otherwise important people (admirable, keep out of their way)
90 mph -- drivers of high-performance vehicles, young, or aggressive (acceptable, yield the left so they don't have to slow down)
95 mph -- aggressive drivers (mildly frowned upon, keep out of their way)
100 mph -- misguided drivers (dangerous, do not impede)
100+ mph -- Dangerous (illegal in certain circumstances)
120+ mph -- Dangerous (illegal in many circumstances)
130+ mph - Really dangerous (illegal in most circumstances)