Why do people in all parts of Fairfax County drive 10-15 MPH under the speed limit when it rains?

I understand the method to this madness in the snow, but why during rain?

Also, why do all FFX County drivers never use their turn signal?

Why are you such a whiny ass? If it's raining, slow the fuck down!

You sir are a moron, I am not a "whiny ass" as you put it. I think driving the speed limit in the rain is feasible enough for ANYONE. I drive the speed limit in the right lane every day. Why is it so hard in water to go the allotted speed limit that is posted?

why??? Wrote:
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> You sir are a moron, I am not a "whiny ass" as you
> put it. I think driving the speed limit in the
> rain is feasible enough for ANYONE. I drive the
> speed limit in the right lane every day. Why is it
> so hard in water to go the allotted speed limit
> that is posted?

In fact, you are both a whiny ass and a moron.

Wet pavement = less traction= bigger crashes.

People drive bad enough around here on dry roads. Slowing down a little in the rain cant possibly hurt?

If you've ever read your driver's ed manual, you would know that it is the law to drive below the speed limit when it rains (because of the reasoning from the above poster).

I can take slow drivers, it's the people who put their flashers on that drive me crazy.

keep driving fast, Fuck face, there's a bridge abutment you're late for

They drive under the speed limit because technically a police officer could charge you with reckless driving if they wanted to.

§ 46.2-861. Driving too fast for highway and traffic conditions.

A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who exceeds a reasonable speed under the circumstances and traffic conditions existing at the time, regardless of any posted speed limit.

The way the code section is worded it's up to the officer to determine what a "reasonable speed" is. Which, given the way you sound, means you would be fucked.

Because they are smart!!

You people are daft. There is no reason to slow down in the rain unless you cannot see through your windshield. Some might argue that the roads are slick; that happens only during the first half hour or so because of the oil residue from cars on the road. This dissipates after the rain washes it away. Also, are some drivers here really stupid or do they just not read the rules of the road? It is illegal to drive in the rain without one's lights on, the left hand lane is for passing, don't stay left if you are creeping along yapping on your phone, even if you are driving the posted speed limit, if someone behind you is obviously trying to go faster than you, move over! Several months ago there was an article online about the worst drivers in America. Northern Virginia was ranked in the top five, and I can understand why. Now don't tell me to just move if I don't like it here. That is a cop out remark if I ever heard one.

Really? Wrote:
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> Now don't tell me to just move if
> I don't like it here. That is a cop out remark if
> I ever heard one.

Ok fine, but it's going to be you against about 250,000 bad drivers. Good luck with that!

Really? Wrote:
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> You people are daft. There is no reason to slow
> down in the rain unless you cannot see through
> your windshield.


Hey idiot.

Rain reduces visibility through the windshield significantly. Most peoples wipers suck or need to be replaced and don't use a RainX type product regularly anyway. Add that to the traction reduction on a wet road and it is obvious that you should drive a bit slower.

Hey! Its Enrico Palazzo!

Hey dumbasses...it's raining and people are being cautious. Is that such a crime?
Slow down and I bet you still get to where you are going even if it is a couple minutes later than you wanted. WIth so many stoplights in this area it all evens out. Now STFU.

why??? Wrote:
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> Why do people in all parts of Fairfax County drive
> 10-15 MPH under the speed limit when it rains?
>
> I understand the method to this madness in the
> snow, but why during rain?
>
> Also, why do all FFX County drivers never use
> their turn signal?

you got the first part of yr answer it seems LoLz

2nd part: turn signals are a sign of WEAKNESS. We dont use them because we know other drivers will see turn signal, know what we want to do, and instinctively PREVENT us from making move. Why? I have no idea why ppl do it - but I know I can make a move from one lane to another WAAAAAYY more successfully if I DO NOT put on my turn signal. This is UNIQUE to Fairfax County - as bad as drivers are in MD, if you put on turn signal, they will let you in. Arlington, PW, PG, DC, etc- same thing. But in Fairfax County ppl just seem to like to fuck with other drivers. More entitlement than the other jurisdictions I guess :(



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/09/2013 08:43AM by Gordon Blvd.

Hmmm...I haven't found people going too slow to be the case. Yesterday, on that race track otherwise known as Route 28 from Centreville to Dulles Airport, people were hauling ass. Like 70 MPH and it was pouring. Also, most of them did not have their lights on, which is required by Virginia law when it is raining.

Oh, about the signal lights. Yeah, some folks on here have it right - if you signal your intention to change lanes then the Type A dickheads that are so prevelant here will block your move. Just so nobody gets in front of them - that would be losing the competition, which is what everything is in their pea brain minds.

Probably because it takes three times as far to stop on wet roads. I once saw a corvette on the parkway hit a puddle and spin off the road and down a hill. The guy was only going about 40 mph.

Harry Balz Wrote:
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> Oh, about the signal lights. Yeah, some folks on
> here have it right - if you signal your intention
> to change lanes then the Type A dickheads that are
> so prevelant here will block your move. Just so
> nobody gets in front of them - that would be
> losing the competition, which is what everything
> is in their pea brain minds.

I freaking hate assholes like this. The good part there is some terrible driver that will end up denting the shit out that guy.

People drive slower in the rain because their tires are so worn out, they don't hold the road. The car slides around like a greased donut, and it tugs at the insides; disconcerting, so people slow down.

Pay attention to this sometime, especially the front tires. Between the relatively decent weather, ignorance and the "wealth effect" in these here wealthiest counties in 'Merica, you'll see some really tired tires.

Because there are too many chinks and spicks driving.

Gordon Blvd Wrote:
> This is UNIQUE to Fairfax County - as bad as
> drivers are in MD, if you put on turn signal, they
> will let you in. Arlington, PW, PG, DC, etc-
> same thing. But in Fairfax County ppl just seem
> to like to fuck with other drivers. More
> entitlement than the other jurisdictions I guess
> :(


Maybe they just recognize you.

Dear Really?,

The speed limit is set for good weather conditions. Hydroplaning and increased stopping speeds are not limited to the "first half hour." It is true that the first minutes of rain after a long dry period are MORE slippery. But stopping speed is still greatly reduced in the rain, visibility is reduced, and not everyone is as smart as you and I and keep their lights on.

How much time do you need to "save" anyway? How much time will you save by going a few mph faster in the rain?

There was someone on Route 28 early this morning going at least 20 miles per hour on a 55 speed limit zone. I think they should have stayed at home.

AreYouSure? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Gordon Blvd Wrote:
> > This is UNIQUE to Fairfax County - as bad as
> > drivers are in MD, if you put on turn signal,
> they
> > will let you in. Arlington, PW, PG, DC, etc-
> > same thing. But in Fairfax County ppl just
> seem
> > to like to fuck with other drivers. More
> > entitlement than the other jurisdictions I
> guess
> > :(
>
>
> Maybe they just recognize you.


only YOU are looking for "Gordon Blvd" as you drive around o_0

Hydroplaning? Reduced overall traction? Reduced visibility from road spray and/or the rain itself? Oil coming up from the roadway surface increasing slipperiness? Wet grass like ice if you go off the road? The usual bad driving habits around here? Granted 10-15 below might be a bit much but are those enough reasons?

Not to mention the fact that half the drivers out in these conditions don't even have their headlights on and are engrossed in thier cell phones.

There's no law requiring anyone to drive as fast as the speed limit even in nice weather, other than a generalized statute that provides that you shall not drive so slowly as to pose a hazard by unduly obstructing traffic. On the Interstate, for example, if you want to go 50 mph in a 55 zone, that's fine as long as you stay in the right lane.

The speed limit is not "the speed you're supposed to go," as a lot of people think. "Speed limit" means exactly what it says.

With that said, do I always obey speed limits? No, and I'm sure none of you do either, although I rigidly adhere to them in school zones, especially around elementary schools, and I usually comply with Virginia's 70-mph zones. The street in and out of my neighborhood is posted at 25 mph. I usually set the cruise control at 30 mph and it sure seems to drive some of the more assholish speeders crazy to have to go that speed. Hey, if they don't like 30 in a 25 zone, I'll be happy to go 25 instead.

My beef is not with people who slow down in the rain. It's with the assholes who think they're exempt from turning on their headlights. It's not your decision. You're required to turn on your lights to help other drivers see you. Do it.

Only losers drive everyday. With age you realize how much of your life you wasted behind the wheel. Automobiles were once a luxury and used for mobility. And freedom. Most are now a crutch for insecurity.
And McDonalds.

I drive 5-10 mph above the posted speed limit on dry days, and I go between 0-5 mph above the speed limit on dry days. Totally agree with the OP. I hate slow drivers. Any good driver knows to be careful when it is raining. It's the rich suburban soccer moms who don't know how to drive. If people drive 55 in a 70 in the rain, why can't they go 55 when that is the posted speed limit? I don't understand.

I drive 5-10 mph above the posted speed limit on dry days, and I go between 0-5 mph above the speed limit on wet days. Totally agree with the OP. I hate slow drivers. Any good driver knows to be careful when it is raining. It's the rich suburban soccer moms who don't know how to drive. If people drive 55 in a 70 in the rain, why can't they go 55 when that is the posted speed limit? I don't understand.

They do it for the same reason that they drive 10-15 over the limit when the roads are icy:

Apparently, intelligence is water-soluble.