National Motorists Association 6678 Pertzborn Road, Dane, Wisconsin 53529 608/849-6000 For Immediate Release Media Contact: June 1, 1995 James J. Baxter President 608/849-6000 Federal Study Finds Speed Limits Irrelevant Dane, WI - "The federal government spent over half a million dollars and five years on an exhaustive study of speed limits, and then buried it. The study was buried because it didn't come up with the answers that the Washington establishment wanted." James J. Baxter, President of the National Motorists Association, made that claim in a letter to members of Congress who are deliberating on repeal of the 55 mph National Maximum Speed Limit. Mr. Baxter claims that the study, the most comprehensive study done on speed limits in over 30 years, clearly proves that speed limits, as employed in the United States, have virtually no influence on driver behavior. "Raise the limit, lower the limit, or remove the signs altogether, and traffic speeds do not materially change. Furthermore, raising or lowering speed limits has no meaningful influence on traffic safety." The study, conducted under the supervision of the Federal Highway Administration, monitored and measured driver response to speed limit manipulations at 247 locations around the United States. Accident frequency was monitored at the same time. "These were not abstract computer simulations or esoteric mathematical exercises; these were first-hand, on-the-ground, cause and effect comparisons." "We were not surprised by the finding that most speed limits are grossly underposted in relation to existing vehicle speeds and roadway design capabilities. Underposting by 10-15 mph is the rule rather than the exception," said the NMA's President. "This research effort was completed two years ago, submitted for rigorous peer review, and sent off to the Transportation Research Board to be forgotten and ignored. These were not the kinds of results that the safety establishment, insurance industry, or enforcement agencies wanted publicized. They fly in the face of 40 years of 'speed kills' propaganda and call serious question to traffic enforcement priorities. Millions of motorists, every year, suffer financial losses, totaling billions of dollars, as a result of unwarranted tickets and wasted time related to irrationally underposted speed limits. This study proves that point. Small wonder they tried to bury it." ***END*** The National Motorists Association (NMA) was established in 1982 to represent the interests and rights of American motorists. It operates at the national level and through a system of state chapters. The NMA is solely supported through the contributions of individuals, families, and small businesses. For general information, call 608/849-6000; for membership information, call 1-800-882-2785.