Could be, it was some years ago. But when you are the only person in the circle from out of town, and the locals are on your bumper, and you are looking for a street, and things are happening too fast, it feels like you are going way too fast.
Sorry to nitpick your account; but for the benefit of others who may be driving in Chevy Chase now, there is just no way that anyone could do 45 around that circle and have others on the street survive. As you noted, it is always full of traffic, and it is not a road, but a city street with sidewalks and pedestrians.