Currently reading: Americans 'below speed limits'
Sat-nav data reveals average speeds on US motorways

Americans are driving well below the speed limit on average, according to new data by Tele Atlas, the mapping unit of sat-nav maker TomTom.

Using data collected anonymously from millions of GPS systems in use on US roads, it discovered that average speeds don't top 70mph in any US state.

The fastest stretch of motorway in the US is the I-15, which runs from Utah to Nevada. The average speed of vehicles tracked on this road was 77.67mph, even though the speed limit is 80mph in places.

The area where drivers are most likely to push the limits is Mississippi, but even then the average speed was 70mph - exactly the motorway limit.

The slowest drivers came from the District of Columbia, where motorway drivers average just 46mph.

Paul A. Eisenstein

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Chips 31 January 2010

Re: Americans 'below speed limits'

I don't get stuck behind anyone - I've got a quick enough car to smoke any self righteous tool who gets in the way.

Challenger440 31 January 2010

Re: Americans 'below speed limits'

Chips wrote:
Where's this then exactly ?

Seriously? Try driving at or slightly below the speed limit for a day - I have every confidence that the road in front of you will empty and the road behind clogged to choking point with a satisfying assortment of fuming nobblers champing at the bit to break the law...

fhp11 31 January 2010

Re: Americans 'below speed limits'

It may well have a lot to do with the fact that they have things called traffic police over there. We used to have them once upon a time......

I spent some time in the US a couple of years back and you would see several cop cars a day. Over here, I kid you not, if I see one a week, I'm doing well. Im forever seeing people on their phones, not wearing seatbelts etc etc. I can guarantee that the quality of driving would increase if we had traffic cops. But I guess our government is obsessed with cameras.