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Old 09-26-2008, 12:06 PM   #102 (permalink)
Clev
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperTrooper View Post
Going back to 2004 (the last year that the Federal Highway Administration has completed statistical analysis for) I found this interesting tidbit:

"Of the total number of speeding-related fatalities in 2004, 5,769 occurred on roads with posted speed limits between 55 and 65 mph, and 938 occurred on roads with speed limits above 65 mph."

Safety-wise, interstate highways are not the problem.
Two problems with that:

1. It doesn't correct to a common stat, like "per passenger mile." If the majority of roads are at the lower speed limit, then of course the number will be higher.

2. These are "speeding-related." On the slower roads, the speed differential between the regular traffic and "speeding traffic" is probably higher.

At any rate, I would say that 65 is probably the "sweet spot" for interstates. It's a good compromise between fuel economy and getting there in a reasonable amount of time, and if the EPA were forced to do the highway driving cycle at that speed, manufacturers would have incentive to add a 6th gear, change rear-end ratios, etc. to make that the most fuel-efficient speed for highway cruising.
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