Comments on: Study shows higher speeds make safer highways http://realityme.net/2006/07/07/study-shows-higher-speeds-make-safer-highways/ A juggling technophile shares personal stories, challenges, humor and perhaps some political commentary. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:26:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Swap Blog » Blog Archive » Safer at Speed http://realityme.net/2006/07/07/study-shows-higher-speeds-make-safer-highways/comment-page-1/#comment-2509 Swap Blog » Blog Archive » Safer at Speed Mon, 10 Jul 2006 14:04:33 +0000 http://blog.siliconholler.com/2006/07/07/study-shows-higher-speeds-make-safer-highways/#comment-2509 [...] Read the full post here, it is worth your time. [...] [...] Read the full post here, it is worth your time. [...]

]]> By: djuggler http://realityme.net/2006/07/07/study-shows-higher-speeds-make-safer-highways/comment-page-1/#comment-2506 djuggler Mon, 10 Jul 2006 12:38:18 +0000 http://blog.siliconholler.com/2006/07/07/study-shows-higher-speeds-make-safer-highways/#comment-2506 One of things that makes the interstate so much safer than the city is predictability. The report notes that "compliance with the 55 mph law was only about 5%--in other words, about 95% of drivers were exceeding the speed limit." Since 5% of the traffic was driving at a different speed then you have an unpredictable situation. That is, a much slower car trying to pass another slow car by pulling out in front of a much faster car. When all cars are traveling with relatively the same speed, the roads are safer regardless of speed limit. The report also notes "The tragedy is that 43,000 Americans still die on the roads every year, or about 15 times the number of U.S. combat deaths in Iraq. Car accidents remain a leading cause of death among teenagers in particular." <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6IPoSC5098" rel="nofollow">These students blocked an interstate in GA at 55 mph</a> and proved unpredictability causes accidents. Predictable driving includes "slower traffic moves right." They may have been following the speed limit but in not moving to the right, they caused an accident and caught on it film. I agree with commuter that safer cars are probably a factor. The article also says "improving auto safety features as power steering and brakes are all proven life savers." One of things that makes the interstate so much safer than the city is predictability. The report notes that “compliance with the 55 mph law was only about 5%–in other words, about 95% of drivers were exceeding the speed limit.” Since 5% of the traffic was driving at a different speed then you have an unpredictable situation. That is, a much slower car trying to pass another slow car by pulling out in front of a much faster car.

When all cars are traveling with relatively the same speed, the roads are safer regardless of speed limit.

The report also notes “The tragedy is that 43,000 Americans still die on the roads every year, or about 15 times the number of U.S. combat deaths in Iraq. Car accidents remain a leading cause of death among teenagers in particular.”

These students blocked an interstate in GA at 55 mph and proved unpredictability causes accidents. Predictable driving includes “slower traffic moves right.” They may have been following the speed limit but in not moving to the right, they caused an accident and caught on it film.

I agree with commuter that safer cars are probably a factor. The article also says “improving auto safety features as power steering and brakes are all proven life savers.”

]]> By: commuter http://realityme.net/2006/07/07/study-shows-higher-speeds-make-safer-highways/comment-page-1/#comment-2475 commuter Sun, 09 Jul 2006 14:27:05 +0000 http://blog.siliconholler.com/2006/07/07/study-shows-higher-speeds-make-safer-highways/#comment-2475 I believe speed kills or injures, if driver is not appreciative of his surroundings. As I told my sons when they were learning to drive and remind them now; drive as fast as you want as long as you have the ability, vehicle in proper repair, money to pay fine & insurance and, most of all, that they have the space as a safety factor. As far as reduced death and injury rates, I believe that occurs due improved car design technology and mandatory use of seat belts. Better evidence would be to use number of crashes and number of vehicles involved. I believe speed kills or injures, if driver is not appreciative of his surroundings. As I told my sons when they were learning to drive and remind them now; drive as fast as you want as long as you have the ability, vehicle in proper repair, money to pay fine & insurance and, most of all, that they have the space as a safety factor.
As far as reduced death and injury rates, I believe that occurs due improved car design technology and mandatory use of seat belts. Better evidence would be to use number of crashes and number of vehicles involved.

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