Status: Civil Disobedience Prank
In order to demonstrate the stupidity of the 55 mph speed limit, four Atlanta students pulled a dangerous stunt: they all drove exactly 55 mph on the highway, in a line, thereby blocking the flow of traffic and creating an enormous traffic jam.
Check out the video of it. I realize the students thought they were doing something clever, but as I watched the video I found myself getting more and more angry at them. It was like experiencing road rage while sitting behind a computer. I kept imagining the people in the blocked traffic who probably had to get to work, or wanted to get home, and who were instead being held up by these idiots and their road block.
Anyway, their argument — that their experiment proves the absurdity of the 55 mph law — is flawed. It didn't prove that at all. All it proved is that if you form a rolling blockade, it's going to create a traffic jam. It would have had the same effect at 65 mph. Plus, it's definitely against the law to form a blockade like they did. Only the police are allowed to do that. So they weren't actually obeying the law.
I realize that pranks are supposed to be obnoxious and annoy some people. But delaying innocent commuters, and creating a situation in which people could easily have gotten hurt as anger escalated, just doesn't seem quite right to me. Though this is probably the angry driver inside of me feeling that way. (One more thing: at the beginning of the video they misspell the word obedience.)
Update: Some quick googling, and I found the section of Georgia law (
code 40-6-40, section D) that applies to what they did:
No two vehicles shall impede the normal flow of traffic by traveling side by side at the same time while in adjacent lanes, provided that this Code section shall not be construed to prevent vehicles traveling side by side in adjacent lanes because of congested traffic conditions.
So it was illegal, and they made a video of themselves doing it. Not too smart.
Update 2: David Spear, a spokesman for the Atlanta Police Department, has been
quoted as saying that what the students did was legal:
David Spear, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said if the students weren't blocking emergency vehicles and were going the speed limit, "they didn't do a thing wrong." Spear added that the speed limit was lowered to 55 because it saves lives. "In Atlanta, the actual effect of it is we expect the people going 75 to move over so the people going 95 can have the right of way," he said.
So I guess I was wrong. Though I'm still having a hard time understanding how it can be legal, when the code referenced above seems to state that it's not legal.
Comments
Well then, that was their point. If everyone travelled at the posted speed limit, there would be a hazardous traffic jam. They could not have proved that without creating the "blockade" first. They've proved that if you don't want a jam of "legal" drivers like that again, raise the speed limit.
I know that it wasn't the safest of ideas (you can see in the video that they thought so too), but their method had the most impact. There's nothing like a sea of honking cars that would make a city counciller change their mind.
Notice the words: "normal flow" in legal-speak is not referring to the way people normally drive, rather it is refering to the speed limit. These kids were driving at the legal speed limit therefore were not impeding the "normal flow" of traffic. They technically were not in violation of this code.
Let's be real here. When a firetruck or ambulance puts on the blinkers, what do you do? You slow down and pull over. That's what the road shoulders are for (instead of having the firetrucks drive on them). You get off the center of the road to make way for the emergency vehicles, regardless how fast you're driving or how many cars you're driving with. How are these students potentially blocking emergency vehicles? I don't see it.
On the other hand, who hasn't see an accident on the highway, and for miles the traffic slows down JUST TO WATCH? People brake below half the speed limit to entertain themselves with upside-down cars that might not even be on the same side of the road, causing huge blockades for no good reason. Then when common drivers like you and me finall roll to the accident scene we take our share of look too before accelerating back up to the normal speed, making ourselves part of the blame for the blockade. And we accuse these students for driving legal speed?
55MPH is rediculously slow that it is dangenrous to drive at that speed.
The real issue is the 'stunt' pulled. First of all, it wasn't a "stunt" or "prank" it was a PROTEST. A stunt or prank is done with the purpose of annoying people. These kids had no way of knowing that driving the exact speed limit would cause the traffic jam that it did. They had a theory that the 55 speed limit was not being followed or enforced and that if it were, problems would occur. I believe they proved their theory rather well.
The repeated cries from people here saying the students should be punished really shocks me. Punished for what? For pointing out a flawed system? There can be no denial that the system is flawed because either the 55 mph limit is unreasonable or no one is following it. Either way, there is a problem which needs addressing. (as a side note, if all of the traffic had been driving 55, or even a couple of miles over/under, there would have never been a jam, simple science proves that)
Citizens have not only the right but the DUTY to stand up and protest laws that are unfair or unequal. I applaud these students for there ingenutiy and success at proving their point (even if it is missed by most).
To all of you who think "these kids had NO RIGHT to be out there causing problems," I recommend a reading of Henry David Thoreau's "Civil Disobediance." Martin Luther King, Jr. found it quite enlightening.
Had it not been found out or disclosed that these three vehichles were driving in tandem, there were no laws broken. The most malicious violation committed by these teens was their obvious open show of enjoyment in a well planned experiment. Everyone in an automobile has the right to drive in any lane on a highway at the posted speed. The only violation would be a truck using the left lane (except for passing) which we all know they have been doing for years.
The other (and larger problem) is the resistance of local law officials to compassionately work with the public in making changes when a problem is identified instead of feeling as though we are attempting to usurp their athority. Enforcing laws is the easiest part, working to change those laws that are antiquated, outdated, or flawed is the real job. Most people who stick their necks out to identify a need for change or improvement are merely asking for the help & assistance of those that we rely on to make change.
The unfortunate part of this act is that all it seemed to do was cause a mass outpouring of irritated civillians............ nice job guys. Keep trying & good luck!
There are some details that were left out or incorrectly stated in the news stories, and which, arguably, settle the question of legality.
First, while there is a GA code section that prohibits driving abreast and interfering with the flow of traffic, the kids tried to maintain a staggered formation, and for the most part succeeded. Technically, that would not violate the code section cited by our webmaster.
Second, there is a more specific GA code section that deals with interfering with the flow of traffic, failing relinquish the left lane, etc., but it specifies that this applies only to vehicles traveling below the speed limit. By normal rules of construction, this would mean a vehicle moving at or slightly above the speed limit may hold its lane.
Third, although it does not bear directly on the legality of what they did, it is worth noting that everyone inovolved had been instructed, reminded, and reminded again to put spread the word if they saw or heard any indication that an emergency vehilce, so that the drivers could immediately begin to move the right lanes.
Four, although some stories said the kids drove the entire I-285 perimeter, during rush hour, they actually drove past only a few exits, and at 11:00 AM, an non-peak time. They were more interested in making a point than in ruining anyone's day, and, besides, we all DREAM of being able to drive at the speed limit during an Atlanta rush hour.
I think with car technology today (ABS braking and suspension to mention a couple)it is comfortable and managble to operate in the 70 - 80 mph range. Frankly I am afraid to drive much slower than 80 in the left lane.
The bottom line is "show me the money" that state and local police are really after. When getting a ticket it is the usual public safety pitch when they hand the citation to you. Alpharetta is a good example of rountine "predatory" speed traps with 6 - 10 police vehicles on 400. In the mean time, thieves are cleaning electronics out of cars at North Point Mall, great police work guys. Make revenue while citizens cars are getting wiped clean of PC's, stereo's, phones, iPODS and anything else these social thugs can get a hold of.
My motto, keep it under 100 and conduct a random act of kindness when you have the chance.
They were doing 55 MPH just like they were supposed to. I see no problem with that. They slowed down all of the other cars to the speed limit. This caused everyone behind them to get mad, but only because they normally did about 75. If all the cars always did exactly 55, the blockade would not have caused any change in the traffic flow. However, the drivers behind them could not get speeding tickets, so they should have been grateful.
They were in congested traffic, so the "two abreast" rule does not apply.
If they got 500 more students and created blockades all along the highway, the traffic flow would improve considerably.
They did not block emergency vehicles. If an emergency vehicle came, they would have let it by. This would require them to speed (see below) but, AFAIK, you are allowed to speed to let an emargency vehicle through.
To let the cars behind them through, they would have to speed, because it's impossible to pass another car without speeding or the other car slowing down. The other cars could not slow down, so one of them would have to speed. Therefore, they were legally required to stay where they were.
So, what they did was perfectly fine.
No two vehicles shall impede the normal flow of traffic by traveling side by side at the same time while in adjacent lanes, provided that this Code section shall not be construed to prevent vehicles traveling side by side in adjacent lanes because of congested traffic conditions.
They by no means did not break a law. Yes, they drove side by side, but they "couldn't" go any faster by law. The normal flow of traffic should be at, or below the posted speed limit, so there's no way they could impede the "normal" flow of traffic by going the speed limit. If an ambulance or police officer was trying to get through, the people behind them would've had to move over (which they shouldn't have had a problem because the only way they got that congested is by speeding, and they shouldn't have been speeding), and so still, they did nothing wrong.
If I were to do it different, I'd have 9 people. 4 to stay back a little, still going 54-55, to hold off traffic. Then the 5 in front would take up all 4 lanes and constantly pass each other (going 54-55 mph). The 4 in back stayed back so they wouldn't be tailgating, and the 5 in front did not stay side by side, they passed each other.
If somehow someone got a ticket, their argument would hold up in court about the others speeding, tailgating, passing in a non-passing lane, and hit and run for that van. If there was a problem with them doing that, the speed limit should be raised and enforced.
And btw, I by no means do the speed limit all the time, I have gotten 4 tickets. So I think this video is great.
Which is legal.
http://www.amasci.com/amateur/traffic/traffic1.html
People have mentioned that they would have broken the speed limit by accelerating to change lanes, but you can also decelerate to change lanes. Granted, merging might have been a problem. 😊
If the normal flow of traffic was 55, then the obstruction code applies to people who are travelling within the limit, just as it applies to these people. It would apply if they did their experiment at 60, 65, or 70, if they were still impeding traffic.
Raising the speed limit doesn't mean people drive the same speed. Someone driving 75/55 would probably drive 95/75. It doesn't follow that they'd drive 75, regardless of the posted limit. Some people like to speed, and they're willing to take the chance.
This was an unnecessary risk, and we already have too many people taking chances on the roads. They're lucky no one was killed.
I too, have been impatient many times, until as I realized, it causes stress (1. worry about getting tickets, 2. worrying about "moving ahead" of everyone). But, the difference between 55mph and 65mph over a 20 mile drive is only 3.36 minutes (about 9.81 minutes compared to 75 mph). Why put that much stress over such a small amount of time.
Living in LA and Boston, I have learned to be patient, drive the speed limit, relax, and not worry about things I cannot control.
People get upset and angry over these 6 minutes (or so) that is almost laughable, if it wasn't so hurtful in other ways.
Georgia Code 40-6-40 states:
No two vehicles shall impede the normal flow of traffic by traveling side by side at the same time while in adjacent lanes, provided that this Code section shall not be construed to prevent vehicles traveling side by side in adjacent lanes because of congested traffic conditions.
Funny thing is...The law on the road states, the normal flow of traffic shall be 55 mph. By going 55 mph they weren't impeding the flow of traffic. Maybe everyone's flow is 75mph, but the normal flow as stated by law is 55 mph. Guess everyone else is breaking the law, not them!
That's not good enough for some who want to convene a moot court about whether the kids broke the law or not. Hint: it doesn't really matter. They weren't prosecuted. They won't be prosecuted.
And the message of the film is clear.
I believe that 55 mph on Interstates and highways w/out intersections (i.e. exits and not traffic lights) is outdated. And the vast majority of drivers do not obey it anyway. People in my local area also rarely use their turn signals or follow the rule of the left lane (don't be a jerk and yield to the faster vehicle.) The turn signals issue really perturbs me because it can very easily cause an accident. It's as if the people in Maryland weren't taught their use in driver's ed (or they were sleeping during that lesson.) The drivers here are also extremely rude in general.
As someone who does occasionally make long drives (my drive home to Tennessee is over 700 miles), I don't want to be stuck cruising at 55 mph for a 700-mile drive. I'm aware that not everybody drives a performance vehicle and that at least 60% of drivers wouldn't have a clue about double clutching, apexing corners, drafting and outbreaking. However, when I'm driving long distance I'll usually set the cruise at 80 or better on the interstate b/c I've been driving for a while now and I can easily handle my car, manoeuvre around the slow pokes and local traffic, and at around 80 mph my car settles into a nice comfortable groove and starts to just purr. I'm sure she'd find another such good groove around 120 mph if I wouldn't be thrown in jail if caught.
Although for most people driving is nothing more than a means of getting from place to place, it's really more than that. It's freedom. There's just something about getting in the driver's seat and hitting the open road, feeling that magical connection between man and machine. It's sort of a passion that some people just can't comprehend.
Well, that's my two cents worth.
Minimum Speed Limit: I. No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.
"If I'm reading this correctly....what the student in the fast lane was illegal, assuming the cars behind that student had intentions to go faster than 55."
should be...
"If I'm reading this correctly....what the student in the fast lane DID was illegal, assuming the cars behind that student had intentions to go faster than 55."
As I have searched until Iam sick in Georgia code,annotated,and on line noone seems to know its rather an abstract thing it seems.
Would perhaps one of you here know?
Is 55mph an appropriate speed limit if the vast majority of drivers exceed this speed? All in all, this video does a wonderful job of visually demonstrating how many drivers would choose to drive faster than 55mph (if not physically prevented from doing so by a rolling blockade).
The students have come and went. The speed limit remains. C'mon people, see the forest.
How can respecting the law to the letter can be construed as "dangerous stunt".
You mean that each time a car, bike respects a speed limit it is a dangerous stunt ?
So if the law says that I cannot shoot people in the head in the streets, which is the case, it is a dangerous stunt to go around in streets without shooting people in the head for no apparent reason ?
What the fuck is wrong with you ?
My point is, if everyone followed the damn speed limit, there would be noone who would risk others' lives and limbs because they're road-raging over this 'blockade'. If there are no speed limits, do you honestly think more people will drive courteously and safely?
Would people drive courteously and safely? YES. Because most people aren't suicidal. Danger is all around us. Only children and crazy people need to be protected from themselves. Most adults are capable.
And finally, if you want to mosey on down the road, it is courteous to get out of the way. You're not being a hero by slowing people down. You're being an @$$#073. You want to save lives? Use your blinker when you change lanes and turn your lights on when its raining.
If the rolling blockade was travelling 150MPH, no one would be behind them. People are stacked up behind them because almost everyone drives faster than 55 when able. NO ONE is in front of them because EVERYONE has traveled away at speed faster than 55. Not only was this not a hoax but it was an outstanding demonstration of the point they were making.