Speed Limits

[Travis]

Apr 13, 2009 18:41:22 GMT -5 shortbus said:

Whats worse, a crash going 90, or a crash going 50?

Arn't most fender benders done in almost no accountable speed? such as at stop lights?

Sure a crash at 90 is worse, but oddly enough, it rarely happens. at least as far as i know.

[AznSenzation]

Wether it be a 5 mile an hour bump, or a 90 mile an hour accident, an accident is an accident. Let's try not to make it like that, by following speed limits.

[Travis]

Apr 14, 2009 0:13:08 GMT -5 AznSenzation said:

Wether it be a 5 mile an hour bump, or a 90 mile an hour accident, an accident is an accident. Let's try not to make it like that, by following speed limits.

I think you just succeeded in ignoring what was said earlier.
THere are countries with no speed limits
yet we have the most crashes in the world.

[str4ngerd4nger]

Apr 14, 2009 0:51:53 GMT -5 Travis said:

Apr 14, 2009 0:13:08 GMT -5 AznSenzation said:

Wether it be a 5 mile an hour bump, or a 90 mile an hour accident, an accident is an accident. Let's try not to make it like that, by following speed limits.

I think you just succeeded in ignoring what was said earlier.
THere are countries with no speed limits
yet we have the most crashes in the world.

we also buy the most cocaine in the world

[Oreo]

Y'all suck at debating. No wonder no one uses this board, lol.

[zekana]

Apr 14, 2009 0:51:53 GMT -5 Travis said:

I think you just succeeded in ignoring what was said earlier.
THere are countries with no speed limits
yet we have the most crashes in the world.

think about it like this. how many cars are on the roads of the US daily? a hell of a lot im sure. it only makes sense with a population so high as the US that in total we would have a lot more car crashes then other nations just in sheer amount of people we have.

now if we have a % of car crashes then any other nation, then alright, there is something up with that.

[Oreo]

I'm just going to throw some stats out there since no one else has, yet.

In 2007, there are 205,742 Licensed Drivers in the US. Fatal Crashes were 37,248. *this means 18 percent of licensed divers will be involved in a fatal car crash in the US or about 1 out of 6 people.*

Midnight to 3 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays proved to be the deadliest 3-hour periods throughout 2007, with 1,251 and 1,383 fatal crashes, respectively. *in the US*



"Even inexperienced drivers usually recognize the merit of reducing their speed in uncertain or hazardous conditions to provide additional time for decision-making and action; driving experience affirms this natural tendency for self-preservation. Good judgment, however, is not uniformly applied by the operators of motor vehicles, nor are skills and abilities possessed in equal measure by all drivers." This is why I think we need better driving tests. It costs something like 5 thousand dollars to get a driver's license in Japan. We definitely need smarter people in cars.

I think I like this diagram the most. Showing that the MOST accidents were from people going under the speed limit. Interesting. This is world-wide, by the way.



Now of course crashes on the freeway go up as they speed, too.. but if you're going 30 mph over the speed limit... that brings you to 100mph. And like I said, if people are doing 100 mph anyway, why would it matter if they removed the speed limits? Just because they took the law away doesn't people people would all start driving 100 mph. I wouldn't. But maybe 85. Certainly not over 85.

"Mustyn and Sheppard (1980) found more than 75 percent of drivers claiming they drive at a speed that traffic and road conditions permit, regardless of the posted speed limit. Although the motorists who were interviewed tended to consider speeding to be one of the primary causes of crashes, they did not consider driving 10 mi/h (16 km/h) over the limit to be particularly wrong" Isn't that still speeding, then? I know people who get tickets for going 10 over.
"However, most of those interviewed considered driving 20 mi/h (32 km/h) over the limit to be a serious offense." And in which case these people would probably not be comfortable driving 20 mph over the speed limit because it is out of their comfort zone, like I mentioned earlier.

If you're interested, this article goes on to talk about all sorts of studies. They tested decreased speed limits and found decreased accidents. They tested increased limits and found increased accidents. I think if there is no limit, however, that the results found would be very different.

But I also think that in order to get your license, the tests would have to change a little. New drivers drive slow, anyway.

"The Isle of Man is the only place in the world that does not have a general speed limit. In Germany, 57% of the autobahn system remains free from speed limits" That's the road we were talking about. . . Let's see if I can find anything about it.


"The Autobahn's structure was designed to allow an unimpeded, high-speed traffic flow. In order for this vision to become a reality, certain design features were implemented. For example, the number of lanes per direction on any stretch of the Autobahn is two, three, or even four lanes separated by a median with double-sided guardrails. Since cars travel at such great speeds, long acceleration and deceleration lanes were added to the on- and off-ramps. The curved areas are purposely gentle and well banked, with blinders added for safety so they do not get distracted. These blinders, which are installed on top of the median, prevent drivers from looking at oncoming traffic or scenery on the side of the road. Most hilly sections have been considerably leveled to only small grades. To prevent the road from freezing at anytime, the concrete is freeze-resistant and the surface is bituminous."

So it was made primarily for uninhibited speeds. Let's see some stats from it.

"...speed limits ranging from 90 kilometers per hour to 120 kilometers per hour are actually quite common. Such restrictions can be found along urban areas, dangerously curved sections, or segments with very heavy traffic. Other sections have enforced speed restrictions only during wet weather or night hours. Also, the speed limit in construction zones can be as low as 60 kilometers per hour. Since road conditions, traffic, and weather vary, electronic signs that can alter the speed limit have been installed along some sections of the Autobahn. Surprisingly, the accident and death rates on the Autobahn are relatively low. Crashes along the Autobahn account for only 10% of Germany's national traffic fatalities. Actually, the fatality rate on the United States interstate system is higher than that on the German Autobahn."

130 kil/H is 80 Mph, btw. So most people don't even go over 80 according to this site. Interesting, interesting.

Post your thoughts. I wish there were more tests considering age, sobriety and such. I am sure they are taken into account, but perhaps they show no change in data, so are therefore thrown out? Gotta have those drunk driver fatalities to make the people in charge of speed limits look good, right?

Let's see real fast.

"16,005 people were killed in the United States in alcohol-related* motor vehicle traffic crashes (BAC of .01 or higher)." so that's about 37% of total accidents are alcohol related. Interesting. I honestly think that has nothing to do with speed.

Anyway. That's it for now.

----------- Bib.
www.tfhrc.gov/safety/speed/speed.htm
www.safecarguide.com/exp/statistics/idx.htm
maps.unomaha.edu/Peterson/funda/Sidebar/Autobahn.htm
www.alcoholalert.com/

[Radgravity]

I think limits are just.. But luckily where I live they are rarely enforced unless it's dangerous..

There is a section of road which is straight, flat and between 2 fields which is meant to be 30MPH zone, but the police don't pull you even if your cruising down there are 60 as there aren't any people, houses, etc.. a long it.

But there is an area near a School and houses which is 20mph zone, and if you go through it above 22mph (we seem to have a limit+10% rule around here) it's instant ticket and points.

[regono]

That German autobahn has no speed limit and they seem to be fine.

[Oreo]

So I think we've come to the conclusion that we don't need speed limits *at least not on the highway.* Okay! Let's start writing up a petition!

[Wednesday_R]

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on gun bans and control.

[killerteddie]

i think speed limits are good
but some spots are just rediculious slow.......

even tho some countrys don't have speed limits shit there traffic is terrible people just go whenever they want.........its like they have crazy skills but its freakin scary as hell....

[sammonoske]

I can understand some speed limits in most area's. Like heavily populated zones, and school zones for example, but there are many places where it is just to slow. Unfortunately, the system does not take slower drivers into consideration. Say the speed limit is 55 and some people will try to go 45 in the fast lane. A higher speed limit, say 65, would force them to AT LEAST drive at 55+.

The area I live in has seen a decrease in speed limit by 15mph in most areas in the past 5 years. It can also be up to 20mph thanks to traffic patrol vans and stop light speed cameras spawning at every other light. People want to drive 5-15 over the limit, but they suddenly have to slow down for the camera at risk of a ticket. It really does screw up traffic.

[dirtydiablo]

Apr 13, 2009 7:56:57 GMT -5 Oreo said:

On the way home from my parent's house last night, my friend and I chatted about our driving records and stories of how we've been pulled over, but then we got into a conversation about speed limits. Here's what we think:

Speed limits aren't needed. We assume it's just an excuse for the government to make money off of teenagers in a hurry. But even though people say "oh well it's too dangerous to drive faster than 70 over the highway!" well. . . Why do you think no one drives 70? Or on any road, for that matter. Almost everyone drives "five miles over" cause that's the safe-limit for not getting a speeding ticket.

but here's what I think

If people weren't given a limit on the highway... It wouldn't change much. I already see people going over 90 plenty of times. And I see people going under 70. The point being, people drive according to their comfort zones. If someone is a poor driver, or in no rush, they will drive slower. If someone is a better driver, or has a car with better handling, they can drive faster and still keep control of their car. Will anyone drive over 100 mph? No, probably not unless the road is completely empty. And if that's the case, who is there to hurt other than yourself? You shouldn't get a ticket for that. You're not endangering anyone! People aren't going to drive recklessly consciously. DUI's; still needed. Reckless driving tickets, still needed. Speed limits?

I think the only speed limits that should be posted are in residential areas. The only place where you could possibly drive faster than the limit, but are easily putting people in danger.

And the "limits" on off-ramps on the highway. Those aren't even limits... Just guidelines. But those need to stay to keep people safe. A couple weeks ago I almost got in a huge accident cause I got off the off-ramp and was going too fast on a sharp corner. I agree with off-ramp signs.

But other than that, I don't think traffic would change, much. In-town traffic has too many stoplights... no one can really go faster than 55 without feeling like they're losing control, are too close to another car, or will not be able to stop at a stoplight. I think limiting people's speeds is just a way for someone to feel powerful, and most cops are buttheads about speeding.

Any ticket I or anyone I know has received was simply for "driving fast." with no reckless driving involved.

My friend also said they tested areas of road with no speed limit and compared death toll and injuries to when there were speed limits and it didn't change at all.

I'm not too worried about in-town, but speed limits on the highway should be eliminated.

Your thoughts?

how would you feel if lawmaking bodies abolished laws against murder? would you feel safe? knowing that someone walking down the street could just attack you, and then get away with it? thats how i feel about this. where's the justice for people who get hurt in accidents from reckless drivers if there are no laws to say that these people did something wrong? your logic on this whole issue seems alittle askew. And you don't seem to really understand the meaning of "reckless driving." A definition for Reckless Driving is

"any person who drives any vehicle carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard for the rights or safety of persons or property, or without due caution and circumspection and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property, shall be guilty of reckless driving."

And which state are you talking about abolishing these laws in? this website describes alot about reckless driving laws.
www.mit.edu/~jfc/laws.html
So speeding at excessive speed does in fact count as reckless driving. But you say you still think people should be getting ticketed for it? And you say that

"Will anyone drive over 100 mph? No, probably not unless the road is completely empty. And if that's the case, who is there to hurt other than yourself? You shouldn't get a ticket for that. You're not endangering anyone!"

You still are endangering someone, yourself, which counts as reckless driving from the definition.

but you seem to be leaving some people out of the equation. what about the people with road rage? Or the the DWI drivers? Police and lawmakers do not want to accidents to happen, what so ever. Taking away laws that have already been enacted could endanger more people on the road. Now i hate speeding tickets just as much you do, but maybe we should be looking for more alternatives to these laws. Maybe we should looking for ways to stop accidents from 'ever' happening. Maybe even construct cars that drive themselves could be answer to this. Cars with sonar capabilities that can sense that another car or wall or any object is coming to close. Cars with magnets that will push cars away from the side of the road. All this technology is possible, i mean there are cars out there that can parallel park themselves. If this kind of cars were to be put in production, then all kinds of law would be abolished, and make roads a very safer place. So i think instead of writing petitions to try and convince lawmaking bodies (which would be kind of impossible because i dont really think you could convince people to abolish something that protects them), i think we should investigate these alternatives.

[lux138]

Someone going at 100 mph have much less reflex time if something does not go as planned. It doesn't matter how good of a driver you are, people in the world are idiots and have the ability to walk in front of your vehicle. If you are going at 100 mph and they just run out in front of you, first it takes about a second to realize a person is now in your way, then on top of that once you brake, the car itself would not be able to stop at that exact point, thus it will most likely result in either you, the jaywalker, or someone else to be injured/killed.

I agree that somethings the government does is to simply get money (Seatbelts, talking on cellphones) but this law is purely based on common sense.