vincent Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 A new article publishing in the latest issue of Review of Policy Research examines the evolution and devolution of speed limit laws and their effects on fatality rates. The author did not find a significant increase in fatalities per miles driven after speed limit laws ceased to be national and states could, and some did, increase their highway limit to more than fifty-five miles per hour. "Automobile safety features and enforcement emerge as important factors in increasing highway safety; speed limits are far less important," author Robert O. Yowell explains. Although speed limits bring to mind the notion of public safety, they were formed in the 1970s to combat a gasoline shortage. In the 1980s the focus shifted to public safety while some speed limit regulation devolved back to states; the maximum speed on rural interstates could be raised to 65 mph. In 1995 and involving some controversy, Congress returned all speed limit authority back to the states. Analysis of the highway deaths per mile driven after the 1974 nationalization of the maximum highway speed indicates an initial greater decline in deaths than had been the trend, but the long-term decreasing trend reemerged following the shock. Dr. Yowell's research finds others reasons besides speed for the long-term trend of increased highway safety. (From 1968 to 1991, the fatality rate per 100 million declined by 63.2%.) Technical progress in car manufacturing, increased use of seat belts by drivers and passengers, an increase in the minimum legal drinking age, and the general maintenance of roads all affect this rate. ### This study is published in the July issue of Review of Policy Research. The Review of Policy Research, published on behalf of the Policy Studies Organization and the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, is an international peer-reviewed journal devoted to the dissemination of research and insightful commentary on the outcomes and consequences of policy change in domestic and comparative contexts. Robert O. Yowell is an assistant professor of Political Science at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. His research agenda centers on Congress and interest groups. source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.Atlantis Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 I've always seen that Speed Limits don't so much save lives, but save accidents? Faster you go, less chance of reacting fast enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Bourricot Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Funny that, Top Gear mentioned that a couple of weeks ago. Basically their argument was it was illegal to be 2mph over the limit on a national road and the well hidden speed cameras would catch you, however you could drive up the same road stoned, drunk, tired and in a car whose wheels risk falling off and be absolutely fine. They do have a point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypoxiaicon Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Speed doesnt kill... Poor driving/attention and poorly designed roads and signs do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasabi Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 bad drivers who try to keep the speed limit are dangerous Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 speed limits are dumb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baigley Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 people need to stay off their cell phones. If you get a call, pull of the road. Studies have shown that people suck at driving, but mainly more with cell phones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemo Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Speed doesnt kill...Poor driving/attention and poorly designed roads and signs do. 586109581[/snapback] Poorly designed roads? No... Part of being a good driver is being able to analyze the road conditions, whether it's from the weather, or if the roads are poorly taken care of... it doesn't matter, driving requires alot more than stepping on the gas and turning the wheel... If you can't analyze and react to your surroundings when you are driving, then you shouldn't be driving at all. Speed Limits have no effect here in America. People are ****ing retarded and can't drive. Bad drivers are the cause of accidents. They dont' know the rules of the road, they can't understand that the left lane is a passing lane, not for crusing at 50mph when the speed limit is 55... The bottom line is that all the rules of the road have no effect on anything unless people are going to follow the rules. It's not just the speed limit. It's the lane laws, who has the right of way, etc. Bad drivers are the cause of accidents. End of story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Carlton Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 around here, speed limits are 100km/h for highways, have been since I can remember. they go higher, 110 in some areas, not ontario I don't think though, but I'm prety sure we have lower fatality rates per capita than the states does, because we have 3-5 year graduated licensing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VGVL Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Speed kills, the slow kind. A lot of people nearly fall asleep when they're following a ridiculously low speed limit. On highways around here the limit is 90km/h, which is retarded. No wonder people fall asleep. Its more dangerous to follow the speed limit than to go faster. Going faster makes people pay more attention to their driving. I agree with nemo, part of being a good driver is analyzing the road conditions. I constantly see people speeding when its raining at night, good job putting yourself in danger. People are not knowledgeable enough to decide when they should go fast, and how fast they should go. There are times where it is safe to go 200km/h sustained in a 90km/h highway, you just have to know when its appropriate and how your car will react. There are speeds that might be safe in certain cars designed to go fast, but not all cars are. It seems like people can't understand that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Warwagon MVC Posted June 23, 2005 MVC Share Posted June 23, 2005 (edited) bad drivers who try to keep the speed limit are dangerous 586109601[/snapback] no its the anxious c#($ksuckers who try to pass the person going the speed limit up a hill are the real morons Edited June 23, 2005 by warwagon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Derf Veteran Posted June 23, 2005 Veteran Share Posted June 23, 2005 Funny that, Top Gear mentioned that a couple of weeks ago. Basically their argument was it was illegal to be 2mph over the limit on a national road and the well hidden speed cameras would catch you, however you could drive up the same road stoned, drunk, tired and in a car whose wheels risk falling off and be absolutely fine.They do have a point. 586109582[/snapback] Around here you can go 15-25% over the posted limits with relatively safety. If the highway is signed at 100km/h then you likely won't get in trouble unless they clock you in excess of 125km/h. In fact, many people with cruise control lock it in at 125. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fAlCoNNiAn Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 I go 80/90 constantly, but i dont play music loud or talk on the phone, i pay attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julius Caro Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 The speed is so relative, it doesnt depend on the type of road you're in, but in the circumstances. If the road if full of cars and the speed limit is 120 km/h you won't do 120 :p If it is raining, you won't do 120. I read something in the news paper. Speed limits are not of very much help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theyarecomingforyou Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 They should increase the speed limit (or possibly remove it) on motorways/dual-carriage way/etc, and reduce it in built up areas (and enforce it). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroChaos Veteran Posted June 23, 2005 Veteran Share Posted June 23, 2005 Poorly designed roads? No...Part of being a good driver is being able to analyze the road conditions, whether it's from the weather, or if the roads are poorly taken care of... it doesn't matter, driving requires alot more than stepping on the gas and turning the wheel... If you can't analyze and react to your surroundings when you are driving, then you shouldn't be driving at all. Speed Limits have no effect here in America. People are ****ing retarded and can't drive. Bad drivers are the cause of accidents. They dont' know the rules of the road, they can't understand that the left lane is a passing lane, not for crusing at 50mph when the speed limit is 55... The bottom line is that all the rules of the road have no effect on anything unless people are going to follow the rules. It's not just the speed limit. It's the lane laws, who has the right of way, etc. Bad drivers are the cause of accidents. End of story. 586109623[/snapback] i agree. and for the record, speed has never killed anybody. people have done like mach 2 or 3, and they are fine. it is bad drivers. it's a sad but scary thought, and i'm not exaggerating or joking, but i literally have to save my own life almost once a day, because of other drivers that aren't paying attention. i drive 20 minutes twice a day, on busy los angeles freeways, and if i wasn't an aware driver, i would most likely be dead by now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemo Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 no anxious c#($ksuckers who try to pass the person going the speed limit up a hill are the real morons 586109670[/snapback] are there two lanes on that road? if there are, your ass better be in the right lane and let him pass you... if there isn't... then he can wait. as long as you're not braking going up hill... Speed kills, the slow kind.A lot of people nearly fall asleep when they're following a ridiculously low speed limit. On highways around here the limit is 90km/h, which is retarded. No wonder people fall asleep. Its more dangerous to follow the speed limit than to go faster. Going faster makes people pay more attention to their driving. I agree with nemo, part of being a good driver is analyzing the road conditions. I constantly see people speeding when its raining at night, good job putting yourself in danger. People are not knowledgeable enough to decide when they should go fast, and how fast they should go. There are times where it is safe to go 200km/h sustained in a 90km/h highway, you just have to know when its appropriate and how your car will react. There are speeds that might be safe in certain cars designed to go fast, but not all cars are. It seems like people can't understand that. 586109675[/snapback] exactly. it's all about being a good driver or not. yesterday i was in traffic and it was raining kind of hard... the person in front of me was going 10 MPH (not exaggerating)... I don't mind because it's uphil, and downpouring. But once we got to the top of the hill, it stopped raining... and the person was still going 10mph. THIS IS NOT GOOD DRIVING. People who come to COMPLETE STOPS to look at an accident on the other side of a BRIDGE are NOT GOOD DRIVERS. The driving tests in America are terrible. They need to be changed drastically. There needs to be periodic driving tests so people who shouldn't be on the road aren't. i agree. and for the record, speed has never killed anybody. people have done like mach 2 or 3, and they are fine. it is bad drivers. it's a sad but scary thought, and i'm not exaggerating or joking, but i literally have to save my own life almost once a day, because of other drivers that aren't paying attention. i drive 20 minutes twice a day, on busy los angeles freeways, and if i wasn't an aware driver, i would most likely be dead by now. 586109710[/snapback] Yup, same here... I go over a bridge every day when I go to work. The bridge has a little hill towards the middle... And people have this mentality... "omg it's a bridge with a 5 degree incline so i have to stop and go 25 mph" THAT IS DANGEROUS when the speed limit is 55!!! I am constantly swerving out of my lane because of people coming into mind without looking, people driving into my lane because they're morons... If I have my left blinker on and you're going steady 60mph and i start merging to the left lane to pass the person in front of me, you shouldn't ****ing speed up and cut me off so i can't get in... this is the cause of acccidents. I mean for christs sake, look in europe.. in Italy, France, Germany... when i've been there people drive 125mph+ on average... there aren't half as many accidents over there as there are in america (at least that's what i think)... and those people are crazy drivers... but THEY ARE GOOD. They're not oblivious morons like what we have here in America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiall Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 in front of my house their is a they stupid chicanes i dont know how many time peeps have ran over them now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacifica Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Speed doesnt kill...Poor driving/attention and poorly designed roads and signs do. 586109581[/snapback] no, but speed reduces your reaction time and the older you get the more that factor is increased\decreased. you're right that speed doesn't kill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baigley Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 I agree with Huezo and much of everyone here. Speed limits really dont do much because people are going to go over. Going over does get your attention up, but the problem is that we have too many sucky people driving. A good amount of teen drivers get too cocky and really don't know how to handle a car. I admit that when I started driving I thought that I was the perfect driver, blah, blah. I still have yet to be in an accident (knock on wood) but I have had my share of speeding tickets. Took me a few tickets (6. heh) and 2 suspended licenses to learn that the cops dont like me, or rather that they really do like me. Anyways, my point is, that speed limits help in certain areas such as school zones (got a ticket there) residential (think one was there) and other areas. But no matter what we do, people are going to not obey them *me being a good example* Like I said before, I thought that I was the sh*t when I first started driving. Now that I am more experienced and older, I realize that I was infact sh*t. I was nothing back then but a cocky ******. I know for a fact that cell phones are bad while you are driving even with a headset because you are thinking about what to say and trying to pay attention to the conversation. I have a headset thinking that It would have helped me out, having a stickshift and all, but you still don't pay as much attention to the road as one should. Blah! Make cell phones illegal while driving and make an old people lane or something.. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Around here you can go 15-25% over the posted limits with relatively safety. If the highway is signed at 100km/h then you likely won't get in trouble unless they clock you in excess of 125km/h. In fact, many people with cruise control lock it in at 125. 586109677[/snapback] I lock in at 120 normally, and 110 around Cornwall. :shifty: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroChaos Veteran Posted June 23, 2005 Veteran Share Posted June 23, 2005 people here in america really don't understand the concept of slower cars driving on the right lanes. i see people, daily, driving 55-60 in the slow lanes (in a 65mph zone), and then just move into the fast lane, even though there is absolutely nobody in front of them in the slow lane. then you have the people doing 65-70, who now need to pass these slow people, then you have lots of unncessary lane changes, and mixing of speeds, and this is what causes accidents. oh, and i agree, about cellphones. they should be 100% illegal on all U.S. roads. $10,000 fine and 6 months suspended license if you are caught. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemo Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 no, but speed reduces your reaction time and the older you get the more that factor is increased\decreased.you're right that speed doesn't kill. 586109724[/snapback] and as you get older you should have to take another drivers test to see if you are still capable of driving safely. 90% of the drivers that I see do stupid things are old people or women (mostly asian) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slimy Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 this was already known way bak when. the thing is, when there is an accident, you will be much more hurt from a 200km/h speeding truck than a 100km/h speeding truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Derf Veteran Posted June 23, 2005 Veteran Share Posted June 23, 2005 Anyone who can drive on the 401 can drive anywhere. For the most part it is 16 lanes wide with some extra temporary lanes for ramping on and off. Now I tend to do 125km/h because I don't want any tickets but someone will weave through traffic and pass me easily doing 145km/h. Of course, I'll see him coming and make sure he can pass me on the left. That's fine. Then you get people who drive at 90km/h and drift across lanes without signalling. Those people are the real danger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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