No, you are yet one more person making the mistake of thinking that the posted speed limit influences the way that people drive. It doesn't. If it did, then lowering the posted speed limit to 25MPH would cause the 99-percenters to drive 60MPH on roads where they currently drive 100+. Also, you YOURSELF correctly state that if the speed limit was raised, there would still be people driving 100+ in the fast lane. What you fail to realize is that those 100+MPH drivers will drive that way, regardless of the number posted on the speed limit sign. You seem to want to punish everybody for the actions of a few. If the 85th percentile speed is (for example) 80MPH, then that is where the speed limit should be set. If the speed limit was 80MPH, and 80MPH was near the 85th percentile speed, then MOST PEOPLE would STILL be driving almost 80MPH and doing so legally. But keeping the speed limit artificially low (like 65MPH) will do nothing to deter some drivers from driving 100MPH+. It will however, criminalize most drivers who are just going with the flow in a safe and sane manner, close to the 85th percentile speed of 80MPH. -Dave
