Quote:
Originally Posted by tasdrouille
I would just like to point out that more people died when the speed limits were raised (all else being equal). I read a Canadian govt study (can't find the link anymore) in which they were considering getting the highway limit up in Canada (currently ~62 mph), but due to the impact on the fatalities rate they found in the states which went up from 55, they decided not to.
I can agree with that argument when taken in a business perspective. But I'd like to provide a counter argument valid for a lot of people (at least where I live). I work a fixed amount of hours per week and get paid a fixed amount per year. Whatever time I use behind the wheel is taken on my free time, which is worth nothing in term of productivity as I'm not going to work more anyway. But in fact, it's worth quite a lot to me, because I actually enjoy it and I have a feeling I'm doing something good for everyone.
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I'm attempting to be neutral and share information as Supa requested.I don't defend the higher limits,I mention the fatalities,as associated with the 55-MPH limit,as it was controversial at the time,and a big bone of contention with the "States-Rights,etc." lobbyists.----------------------------- With respect to accident casualties,my first query with the California Highway Patrol,got me right back in Texas,as the CHP uses physics research conducted at Texas A&M University to calculate collision energy,imparted in impacts,which varies as the cube of the velocity.So higher speeds (or velocity differentials) can definitely lead to higher carnage!---------------------------------- As to the economic stuff,I believe it came from U.S.News & World Report,Autoweek,Dallas Morning News,etc..Its going to take some time to ferret that all out.Again,I don't defend the quanta or analysis,however these considerations will no doubt rear their ugly head as soon as Supa opens his(her) mouth in class.