Not 55, not 65.... 60.
70 should be the national speed limit.
Not 60, not 80...70. Then you get the 9 mph gimme.
If you can't drive safely at 70 mph on a freeway, you need to drive on a 2 lane road. And stay out of the way of people trying to get somewhere.
This just in: Zeus texted me and told me he wants speed laws written by traffic engineers, not revenue-hungry politicians or feeeelings. And my god can beat up your god!
You said -- "If you can't drive safely at 70 mph on a freeway, you need to drive on a 2 lane road. And stay out of the way of people trying to get somewhere."
I thought it was interesting that in Texas, the speed limit on freeways and some state highways are 70. Now, that means that a state highway of two lanes -- with driveways and side roads directly connecting to the highway -- has the same 70 MPH limit as protected access freeways. But, I found that to be just fine -- when I was driving on those state highways. It was quite nice to be keeping my speed up on those highways. And it was a "natural speed" too.
In Oklahoma, on the turnpikes (the toll roads), they have a speed of 75, while the freeways (non-toll roads) have 70. I found that going 75 is starting to feel like it is not a "natural speed". Going 80 is definitely starting to step out of a natural feeling speed.
And then, I find the speed of 55 MPH in Oregon to be quite limiting and causing more anxiety to keep it at 55. It's more natural to be going 60-70 than it is to be going 55 MPH.
And in all these examples, I'm talking about open highways, away from towns (but not necessarily away from "houses" [along the highways]).
So, the best kind of driving seems to be in Texas and Oklahoma (for the roads and speed limits). I don't like the dropping down to 65, at night, for the speeds in Texas, though. Oklahoma does not drop night-time speeds.
In terms of your comments, going to a alternate "2 lane road" -- it's still 70 MPH in Texas. So, it will be more hazardous for that person if they can't drive 70 on a freeway -- because it will now be 70 on a "2 lane road" (with more hazards).
Regards,
Star Traveler