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Re: Idaho

Posted: December 17th, 2014, 10:15 am
by BigBear
I hope it's not 80mph along that section of Caldwell-Nampa-Meridian. Unless that section has been improved during the last few years, I would have to go with Nader's "Unsafe at Any Speed" to describe the highway conditions. East of Boise, there isn't much to hit in terms of wildlife and even less to see.

For Hawaii, how fast do you want to go on a tiny rock in the middle of the ocean. On a curvy mountain road that only goes a few miles, 45 mph should get you to the other side of the island within the hour (barring traffic, which limits you at any speed).

I do remember driving 90 mph in Montana many years ago and being passed by every car and truck like I was a proverbial "little ole lady out on my Sunday drive." Of course, in a state that big, it is a long ways between towns.

Re: Idaho

Posted: December 17th, 2014, 10:39 am
by BrianEdwards
Another question, if you drove I-84 SE of Boise:

Labor Day 2013 the interstate from Mountain Home to Twin Falls was getting what looked to be a complete rebuild, and traffic was diverted completely off of some stretches. Is I-84 still completely obliterated in spots?

Re: Idaho

Posted: December 17th, 2014, 11:02 am
by Don Nelsen
BigBear wrote: For Hawaii, how fast do you want to go on a tiny rock in the middle of the ocean. On a curvy mountain road that only goes a few miles, 45 mph should get you to the other side of the island within the hour (barring traffic, which limits you at any speed).
On the smaller islands, i.e. Molokai, Lanai, Oahu and Kauai, lower limits aren't really a problem but on Maui and The Big Island they are a pain and many locals simply ignore the limits, in my experience. It takes about 2 1/2 hours to get from Kona to Hilo, for example, even with a 55 mph limit on 80% of the route. On Maui, it takes over 2 hours to go from Wailuku to Kaupo. Many of Hawaii's roads are, as you said, curvy mountain road[s] but where they are straight and wide, IMHO, the limits need to reflect that. I don't even want to start with a discussion of Oregon's rules. That's a subject getting into politics and taxation in the form of fines.

I am glad to see Idaho has raised the limit where appropriate, though. I've driven extensively in all western states and only in Oregon have I nearly fallen asleep while driving. WA is a little better, but not by much.

dn

Re: Idaho

Posted: December 17th, 2014, 11:21 am
by Koda
BigBear wrote: For Hawaii, how fast do you want to go on a tiny rock in the middle of the ocean. On a curvy mountain road that only goes a few miles, 45 mph should get you to the other side of the island within the hour (barring traffic, which limits you at any speed).
the reason I shared the Hawaii speed sigh photo is it shows a minimum limit which is in contrast to Pablos photo showing an unusually high (for Oregon) limit.
(Pali Hwy 61, Oahu)

Personally, I would love to see some minimums round here. Nothings more frustrating than being stuck following someone who cant drive 40.

Re: Idaho

Posted: December 17th, 2014, 2:19 pm
by ski
Don wrote:only in Oregon have I nearly fallen asleep while driving.
I take it you didn't have to make the Casper-to-Sheridan run up and down I-25 much. :)

Re: Idaho

Posted: December 17th, 2014, 5:44 pm
by Don Nelsen
ski wrote:
Don wrote:only in Oregon have I nearly fallen asleep while driving.
I take it you didn't have to make the Casper-to-Sheridan run up and down I-25 much. :)
Most of WY has been 75 for quite a while so it's not so bad. Their legislature voted to raise the limit to 80 this past summer so that's at least some improvement. 100 would be nice for those really long, boring, no scenery parts, though!

dn

Re: Idaho

Posted: December 17th, 2014, 6:31 pm
by Zia
Koda wrote:Hawaii:
Image
45 seems like a good speed limit for Ohau. I drove there while on vacation. Traffic is insane. Most spots have no on ramps. It's more like a yield and not a merge. It's crazy driving there on most of the roads.

Re: Idaho

Posted: December 17th, 2014, 6:53 pm
by Don Nelsen
Zia wrote:
45 seems like a good speed limit for Ohau. I drove there while on vacation. Traffic is insane. Most spots have no on ramps. It's more like a yield and not a merge. It's crazy driving there on most of the roads.
Zia,

I agree with you about Oahu. That island is seriously overcrowded and the traffic is insane as you put it. Maui is getting worse but still is not nearly as bad.

dn

Re: Idaho

Posted: December 17th, 2014, 9:28 pm
by Lumpy
Koda wrote:Personally, I would love to see some minimums round here. Nothings more frustrating than being stuck following someone who cant drive 40.
Contact 911 or your legislator, whichever seems more prudent.
https://www.google.com/search?q=ors+811.130

Re: Idaho

Posted: December 18th, 2014, 12:48 pm
by BigBear
Koda: Thanks for explaining "minimum" on the sign. I read it as "trucks" or "trucks at night" since that is what I am used to and never think of the 2nd number applying to me. It is in interesting situation that there is a minimum.

In Oregon, you can get a ticket for impeding the flow of traffic. I would hate to have a "minimum" if weather conditions make it prudent to drive slower. For example, the hill on the east side of Pendleton, covered in ice, I would hate to have someone enforcing a minimum on me.