Change Speed Limit?

[i_am_socket]

I voted yes, but only because I'm a firm believer that most people can't think for themselves and require someone else to do it for them. I'm all for less government control over me, and for more government control on stupid people. Driving is a privilege that should come with logic, reasoning, and IQ tests to go along with the "can you mostly memorize this sheet" test.

[BrianAbington]

Statistics do show that there are more deadly accidents with a 75mph speed limit vs 55mph. The reason for that? Look at how much faster you are driving when you go over the 75 mph limit. When you drive on a 55mph highway people pass you going 65 to maybe about 80ish.
On our trip to Colorado we took I-80 and the speed limit is 75. We drove 80 and we were being passed by people going 85 to 100+.
If some one changes lanes infront of you with out looking and you hit them you're better off at 65 vs. 100.

[BrianAbington]

If the states were to step up enforcement there would be no budget issues.

If I were a state senator...I would push this as the speeding ticket law. I've never was happy with the speeding tickets I got when I was younger but this is an area that people really push the law especialy with highway speeds and DUI.

Fines
Residential areas or busy buisness areas
5 over $250
6-25 over $500
26-50 over $1,500 Lose lisence for 2 years
50+ over $5,000 Lose lisence for 10 years 5 years in jail

(Highways)
5 over is the freebie
6-25 over $500
26-1mph shy of double the speed limit $1,500 Lose lisence for 2 years.
Double the speed limit $5,000 Lose lisence for 10 years 2 years in jail.
Over 100MPH $15,000 Lose Lisence forever 5-7 years in jail.

Cause an accident because your speeding and lose control and some one you hit dies $55,000 Fine Lose lisence forever 30 years in jail.

DUI $50,000 Fine for first offence Lose lisence forever 30 years in jail.

[bbjsw10]

I am not voting because a lot of people are "Sign Blind" they don't even care what it is as long as they are about 15-20 mph above the speed.

[SuperTrooper]

Originally Posted by Binger

Statistics do show that there are more deadly accidents with a 75mph speed limit vs 55mph. The reason for that? Look at how much faster you are driving when you go over the 75 mph limit. When you drive on a 55mph highway people pass you going 65 to maybe about 80ish.
On our trip to Colorado we took I-80 and the speed limit is 75. We drove 80 and we were being passed by people going 85 to 100+.
If some one changes lanes infront of you with out looking and you hit them you're better off at 65 vs. 100.

The stats show no such thing. States that adopted the 75 MPH limit have death rates have an 10-year annual death average (1996 - 2006) that is LOWER than the previous 10-year average (1985 - 1995). This number is NOT adjusted for miles travelled.

The nationwide average of deaths per 100 million miles traveled has continued to drop every year.

The biggest killer in auto deaths is not wearing your seatbelt. Depending on the year, unrestrained deaths account for between 56% and 70% of total deaths nationwide.

[dcb]

Originally Posted by SuperTrooper

The stats show no such thing.

If you factor in the adoption of seatbelts and other vehicle safety improvements though, it should be obvious that slower is safer. It's basic physics dude.

For example, ask yourself if would you rather get hit with a casual lob or a 95mph bean ball? What is the difference between those two examples? It is the speed involved.

But if you want to compare apples to apples, then lets lower the limit and find out

[SuperTrooper]

Originally Posted by dcb

If you factor in the adoption of seatbelts and other vehicle safety improvements though, it should be obvious that slower is safer. It's basic physics dude.

For example, ask yourself if would you rather get hit with a casual lob or a 95mph bean ball? What is the difference between those two examples? It is the speed involved.

But if you want to compare apples to apples, then lets lower the limit and find out

There is no safer road in America than a limited access divided highway. The vast majority of fatalities occur on roads with posted speed limits between 35 and 50 MPH. 2-way traffic, intersections, limited shoulder space, limited passing zones, blind corners; these are the main areas where road deaths happen.

You can tell me slower is safer, but you can't point to a real world stat that backs you up. Otherwise, why stop at 55? Why not 45 or 35? Aren't those speeds even safer, based on physics?

[dcb]

The Impact of Speed Limit Increases on Fatal Interstate Crashes



"We can see the significance of the speed limit increases graphically with the following code:

Code

0
No Change
1
Not Significant at 0.1 Level
2
Significant at 0.1 level

We can summarize the findings as follows:

• 19 of 40 states experienced a significant increase in fatal crashes along with the FIRST speed limit increase on rural interstates (Figure 4).
• 10 of 36 states experienced a significant increase in fatal crashes along with SECOND speed limit increase on rural interstates (Figure 5).
• 6 of 31 states experienced a significant increase in fatal crashes along with the speed limit increase on urban interstates (Figure 6)."

Please don't infer this to mean that I advocate going 0 mph because that is the safest speed. People need to get places in a "reasonable" amount of time.

[Will]

I voted Yes. I do not see that lowering the speed limit is increasing government control. They have the same control over how you drive if the limit is 75, 55, or 25, just by virtue of having a speed limit. If they have a speed limit they have, good or bad, the same level of control.

I agree that the real problem is bad FE vehicles, but people have a right to buy what they want. The only way to increase FE is to convince people that they are the right thing to buy. I am sorry to say that it is rare now days to find people willing to put the earth, or anything else ahead of themselves. The biggest concern of most "Americans" these days is their own pocketbooks and bank accounts.

This trend must be stopped. I think it will be a combo of public awareness and rising oil prices.

[Formula413]

What difference does it make? It would not be enforced, any more than current speed limits are. Likely less so.