View Single Post
Old 07-07-2013, 06:09 AM   #35
Dave R
Senior Member
 
Dave R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,974
Thanks: 246
Thanked 736 Times in 438 Posts
Default

Modern cars, light trucks, and motorcycles are perfectly safe at 80 MPH, there's nothing to worry about. Much of the civilized world (including the western US) has been operating at those speeds for years. Big trucks are a big worry at 80 MPH though. Loaded up, it takes them a LOOOOOONG time to stop from 80. The government is trying to do something about it, but the latest safety standard for big rig braking distance is 60-0 in 250 feet (or 310 feet depending on GVWR) which is double the distance a sporty car or motorcycle requires for the same deceleration. Bear in mind, this standard only applies to new trucks. Older trucks typically require 355 feet to stop from 60.

If you want to worry about your 17 year old daughter going 80 MPH, worry that she can keep going 80 MPH so that big rig behind her does not occupy the same space she is in...
Dave R is offline   Reply With Quote