Traveling tip

[davepi2]

I was at Stones River, Shiloh, Corinth, Spring Hill and Franklin this week and I have a tip for traveling between the battlefields. When in Tennessee, Alabama or Mississippi whatever you do, STAY OFF THE NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY. I don't car how beautiful it is, it isn't worth a $105 ticket for 2mph over the speed limit. I just became a believer in "State's Rights".

 

[Bonny Blue Flag]

Holy cow! I am sorry the cop at hand was less than generous interpreting the law under the current circumstances. 2 miles an hour over the speed limit. If there is a next time for you, go 5 miles an hour under the posted speed limit. Geez.

--BBF

 

[DixieRifles]

When in Tennessee, Alabama or Mississippi whatever you do, STAY OFF THE NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY. I don't car how beautiful it is, it isn't worth a $105 ticket for 2mph over the speed limit. I just became a believer in "State's Rights".

My wife hates when I used to take that road. It is lovely drive and you can catch site of wild turkey and other varmints. But she thinks it is boring. She might like it now because she prefers driving at a slower pace. You are correct---you had better stay under the speed limit. The last few times I have driven it, I didn't see any cops. The problem is this road is under Federal jurisdiction----the Feds!

Also, if you are traveling, you usually don't have time to stop and read all the Historical Markers. Some are important to the local history of Mississippi.

Boundaries between the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes.

Jeff Busby Park and Little Mountain--- a whopping 584 feet above sea level.

 

[Johnny Shafto]

 

[Sheltowee]

 

[dlofting]

The only time I've got speeding tickets in some states is when I'm driving my own vehicle with BC licence plates....never when I rent a car at an airport, although I have been pulled over and warned.

 

[davepi2]

OMG, Kenny Price - The Round Mound of Sound. I remember when he hosted a Country Music show in Cincinnati called "The Midwestern Hayride". That was before his "Hee Haw" days.

 

[davepi2]

Great song, haven't heard that one before.

 

[archieclement]

Gosh, that's pretty intolerant. Back when I drove a truck Ohio was rather notorious for that, no idea if it still is.

Always found it odd "Smokey Bears" I've been told came from referring to Missouri State Patrol, but I've always found them fairly lenient. Also why occasionally Missouri State Guard In ACW is referred to as fighting under the bear flag.

 

[lupaglupa]

We used to take the Trace more often - driving between my Dad's folks in Tennessee and my Mother's in Mississippi. We always set the cruise control for the exact speed limit. They love to pick you up! It is a slow drive but so lovely and well worth it if you have the time to stop at the many historic sites.

 

[Elliot Crumblemuffin]

I believe it, although I think that it is completely ridiculous and shows a brain-dead level lack of discretion. In my experience I have found that the farther south one travels in the U.S., the more aggressive "smokey bear" gets. Coming from New England where people just "drive the speed they feel like" it was a cultural difference coming down here. My friends and family think I drive like a grandma only going about 5 or so over the speed limit EVERYWHERE.

The only place I've ever seen cops drive Camaros with orange racing stripes was in South Carolina on I-95. Sorry about your ticket but thanks for sharing!!

 

[archieclement]

I believe it, although I think that it is completely ridiculous and shows a brain-dead level lack of discretion. In my experience I have found that the farther south one travels in the U.S., the more aggressive "smokey bear" gets. Coming from New England where people just "drive the speed they feel like" it was a cultural difference coming down here. My friends and family think I drive like a grandma only going about 5 or so over the speed limit EVERYWHERE.

The only place I've ever seen cops drive Camaros with orange racing stripes was in South Carolina on I-95. Sorry about your ticket but thanks for sharing!!

My experience has been be beware of any small towns around major tourist destinations......As its their way of getting tourist dollars...........

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

The last few times I have driven it, I didn't see any cops. The problem is this road is under Federal jurisdiction----the Feds!

Not just federal; NPS property. I didn't know they were that rigid about the speed limit, especially considering most of it is 50 mph speed limit. Or did you get busted in a slower section?

It's not just a federal thing. In Florida state parks law enforcement have a reputation of bustling you for speeding even a little but the park roads are rarely posted above 30 mph.

I loved driving the parkway in 2016. I don't recall much police activity.

Also, if you are traveling, you usually don't have time to stop and read all the Historical Markers. Some are important to the local history of Mississippi.

Not sure why people travel NTP or BRP without making time to stop and see the sights.

Coming from New England where people just "drive the speed they feel like" it was a cultural difference coming down here. My friends and family think I drive like a grandma only going about 5 or so over the speed limit EVERYWHERE.

That explains Florida then. Half the people are from New England and continue their "drive like they feel like it" attitude. The other half are country folk who think they're the Duke Boys, but in pickup trucks.

Personally, I think speed limit enforcement across the country needs to be substantially stepped up. Also, a way to effectively enforce it because a cop car sitting in the median only enforces the speed limit as far as he can see. Not so worried about 2 mph over, but people caught doing 15+ over should lose their license for life.

Speed limits are a personal pet peeve of mine because they are a clearly posted maximum (not a suggestion) that the majority of drivers deliberately and flagrantly ignore. They're a symptom of a much larger problem with American society: the entitled mindset of "rules don't apply to me when they're inconvenient." I wish I could see that mentality go extinct in my lifetime, but I'm sure I will have no such luck.

 

[archieclement]

Not just federal; NPS property. I didn't know they were that rigid about the speed limit, especially considering most of it is 50 mph speed limit. Or did you get busted in a slower section?

It's not just a federal thing. In Florida state parks law enforcement have a reputation of bustling you for speeding even a little but the park roads are rarely posted above 30 mph.

I loved driving the parkway in 2016. I don't recall much police activity.



Not sure why people travel NTP or BRP without making time to stop and see the sights.



That explains Florida then. Half the people are from New England and continue their "drive like they feel like it" attitude. The other half are country folk who think they're the Duke Boys, but in pickup trucks.

Personally, I think speed limit enforcement across the country needs to be substantially stepped up. Also, a way to effectively enforce it because a cop car sitting in the median only enforces the speed limit as far as he can see. Not so worried about 2 mph over, but people caught doing 15+ over should lose their license for life.

Speed limits are a personal pet peeve of mine because they are a clearly posted maximum (not a suggestion) that the majority of drivers deliberately and flagrantly ignore. They're a symptom of a much larger problem with American society: the entitled mindset of "rules don't apply to me when they're inconvenient." I wish I could see that mentality go extinct in my lifetime, but I'm sure I will have no such luck.

Personally people driving at reasonable speeds doesn't bother me, they should raise the speed limits to reasonable speeds.

My pet peeves are people not understanding the yield signs as they go down onramps.......

And slower cars who stay in the left passing lane.....the law is actually slower cars stay to the right....so when you see cars in rear mirror, your the slower car, get the @#@ over.......

 

[DixieRifles]

Not sure why people travel NTP or BRP without making time to stop and see the sights.

The locals did use the Natchez Trace Parkway. Commercial traffic is banned but somehow they allow local farmers to drive their tractors very short distances.
When I was in college at THE university of Mississippi, my roomie lived near Jackson. He took the NTP to travel to & from home on weekends.
Later when I lived in Texas, I drove my family into Mississippi using I-20 and catch the Parkway if I was headed to my wife's home in East-Central Miss. Sometimes I got really bored at my in-laws so I would ride along the Parkway and check out Little Mountain and read about Pigeon Roost.

I have never gotten a ticket on the Parkway.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

Commercial traffic is banned but somehow they allow local farmers to drive their tractors very short distances.

Probably something grandfathered in from when the NTP was acquired by the government. Reading about the history of the BRP farms split by the new road were a big issue.

The locals did use the Natchez Trace Parkway.

There certainly was a lot of rush hour traffic on NTP around Jackson when I was there.

 

[DixieRifles]

There certainly was a lot of rush hour traffic on NTP around Jackson when I was there.

Yes, it will be heavy traffic around Jackson.

Some may not know there is a Natchez Trace State Park in Tennessee. There may be something like it in Mississippi. This park contains several lakes and a Lodge, cabins and the best thing there---a gun range. Photos from my 2013 trip.

You can take I-40 and exit off Hiway 114. This is just West of the Tennessee River and in Tennessee.
But THIS is the type traffic you might see on the freeway.

Park roads has some kudzu vines.

Lodge with cafeteria.

The Gun Range.

 

[UCVRelics]

We took the trace on our recent CW road trip and I told Drew that speed limit sign is just a suggestion.