Would lowering the speed limits on highways actually make driving on them safer?
I never really gave much thought about how much speed limits can affect safety. Growing up, it was drummed into my head that speed kills. It wasn’t until I moved to Germany that I was able to even challenge the phrase “speed kills”. Being able to drive at any speed I want on the Autobahn has produced thoughts that completely destroy the phrase “speed kills”. So… Would lowering the speed limits on highways actually make driving on them safer?
If you were to ask a medical doctor that question, I’m sure the answer would be yes. The higher the speed a vehicle is traveling at, the more damage its energy may cause. According to LLLL, The medical community has been trying to lower the frequency and severity of crashes for years. Dr. Haddon, and others in his field, says that speed is a two-pronged aggravator of human harm on roads. “The higher a vehicle's travel speed, the greater its likelihood of becoming involved in a crash; the higher the impact speed when a crash occurs, the more severe the injuries”. The medical community isn’t the only group of professionals that stand behind lower speed limits on our highways. There are several other groups that want speeds lowered for reasons that have less to do with our safety.
Insurance companies, police agencies, state transportation departments, and national safety organizations would have us believe that speed limits are a critical
In American society today, there are numerous laws designed to protect all citizens. One such law is having a speed limit. This requires motorists to drive reasonably and consider the conditions and potential hazards, regardless of what the speed limit signs say. As the automobile demands grew, the streets and highways expanded throughout the US, lawmakers created speed limits. On thee another hand, some citizens believe with modern day road materials and current automotive technologies, cars can safely exceed the legal limits set on almost every road in the United States. But, endless amount of studies and researches proves that having a speed limit can save lives, not to mention money.
In “Speed Safety Cameras Near Schools Make Sense”, Hope Reeves writes about the opposition against a bill to expand the number and scope of speed safety cameras in New York City school zones. Reeves claims that speed safety cameras are effective and “violations have dropped an average of 63 percent where speed safety cameras already exist.” The cameras are carefully calibrated and are not activated unless a vehicle is traveling more than 10 miles above the speed limit which eliminates the possibility of malfunctioning. Reeves believes that “adding more speed safety cameras in school zones would calm traffic citywide [and] train drivers to obey the law.” While motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury-related death for children
The argument that Forestville should reverse a decision it made six months ago to raise its speed limit by 10MPH due to a 15% rise in accidents because accidents in Elmsford, a neighboring region, declined slightly, is inconclusive. A base line study of traffic pattern disruptions and speed variances in Forestville and Elmsford comparing demographic data, location, rate, and type of accidents for more than six months might determine significant risk factors. Federal studies suggest that accidents rise if speed limits are raised on highways by as much as 5% for each 4 MPH but on moderate speed limit roads, no such relationship exists. Other studies show accidents decrease with a rise in speed limit since artificially low limits also cause
The highest speed related fatality was recorded in the year 2012. This is because the 354 was the highest ever recorded in a single year. There was a slight increase from 2006 to 2007 but then speed related fatalities slightly decreased in 2008. From 2008 to 2010, speeding fatalities were on the rise until it dropped in 2011. From Fig B., 2015 recorded the lowest rate of speeding related fatalities. It should also be noted that speeding related fatalities have been slightly steady in 2013 and 2014 resulting in a very sharp decline.
One way they can do this is by making someone, for example, a police officer, drive without a speedometer to see what they feel like is a good speed to drive there. Sometimes the speed your going doesn’t match how it feels while you are driving. Also, there’s not going to be an exaggeration with the speeds. I’m not saying raise the speeds to 50 on the streets and 90 on the freeway, no. School zones will stay the same for elementary schools, but for middle schools and high schools, it should change. The ones that need changing the most are the freeway speed limits and the streets speed limits. It is about time that the judicial bodies or the police officers change the speed limits.
During the times on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 7:30-9:30 a.m, 11:00 a.m.-l:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m, and then Saturday 9:00 a.m.-l:00 p.m. The study took place on a University campus where the drivers could be able to reduce their speed to the limit of twenty-five. At the end of the study it was found that drivers going above the speed limit would decrease their speed to the legal limit but those going under would increase their speeds. It was also discovered that 85% of the people reduced their speeds when given a warning even when law enforcement wasn’t around. Since this study focuses on University only, implementing the radar speed signs around the town as well would be beneficial to see if it haves the same effect.The overall findings of the study seems to find that the usage of radar speed signs as a positive thing to deter speeding or driving under the speed
After that, numerous studies have evaluated the effect of the increased speed limit on changes in vehicle speeds, suggesting that the increased speed limit causes dramatic increases in fatality rates on rural interstates
Safety is a big issue when driving. Speed limits help insure everybody’s safety, that is why it is such a big deal to have speed limits.
1.3 million people die in road crashes each year, on average 3,287 deaths a day. Thats a lot maybe if people weren't going as fast maybe that number would be cut in half. In 2014 9,967 people died in drunk driving crashes. An estimated amount said that on deadly car crash happens every 53 minutes. 290,000 people were injured in drunk driving crashes.
Today in America, society has no respect for traffic laws. Somehow, they have forgotten the purpose of why traffic laws where proposed on the first place. For instance, one of the most common laws broken by every driver is speeding. In Fact, the need to speed to get to your destination can be thrilling and hypnotizing for someone. However, speeding can cause a horrific collision between another vehicle and yourself. Also, according to Teens in the Driver Seat, “About 27 percent of young driver and passenger deaths occur in speed-related crashes.” Therefore, is it important to follow traffic laws because it can insure the safety of yourself and others when handling a motor
If you don’t know what a speed limit is, it is the little signs on the side of the road that have a certain number on them that you can’t go over. The speed limit is usually about 45 mph. My opinion is that God put speed limits to watch over people, in other words to keep people safe. I can’t tell you that all people actually
A speed driver is an individual who drives his or her vehicle on the road at a certain speed, while also caring a lot or little about his or her as well as the safety of others on the road. The speed driver is divided into three types, which are the “grandma,” “I follow the limit,” and “I could care less.” Each of these types are all different, but can be defined by the speed that they are going over or under the legal speed limit. They can be defined by having a good understanding of each type. So, first, we will look at the “grandma” speed driver.
Should there be limitations on speed limits? Should the people be allowed to choose their own speed limit? These questions have always been one of the important topics when it comes to the government and the nations people. The government has always regulated speed limits on many highways in the United States. Many people have come to a conclusion that it is safe to keep these regulations due to accidents being one of the major causes of fatal deaths in the nations highways and roads. Due to these deaths, many people have lost loved ones and most of them choose to speak up when it comes to their safety on the highways.
In a world where there are so many vehicles driving around the streets it is very important for people to abide by traffic laws and to take precautions to ensure the safety and lives of everyone in the world. There are many different laws regarding traffic that can change depending on what country or state you are driving or even on the year, because new laws are always being created. As long as drivers remain aware of their surroundings and the law: accidents shouldn’t occur as much or as often as they do right now.
However other people argue against limitations on speed limit. Companies think they would get more money. Companies like Gas station will be benefitting because if the speed