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Re: Why it's set at 55 m.p.h...



In <3lq2ph$hnk@clarknet.clark.net>, thonhazz@clark.net (Jonathan Hazzard) wrote
a lengthy piece about the 55 speed limit.  While I disagreed with most of
his post, I take particular exception to one paragraph and have a comment
on another.

>   For example, let's assume the average highway driver will exceed the 
>posted speed limit by 10 m.p.h.  If we want traffic to flow at 60, we'll 
>set the speed limit for 50.  If we want people to do 40, we set it at 
>30.  When someone is travelling at a far greater speed, we'll ticket 
>them, with a higher fine and point total with higher excesses.  Have you 
>noticed that 9 m.p.h. over the speed limit nets you one point and 10 nets 
>you 2? Have you noticed that 25 over nets you 5? (I think) 

I don't find this assumption valid.  Every survey I have seen indicates that
drivers will travel at the design speed of the highway.  Set the speed limit
on the NJ Turnpike or I-95 at 35, 45, or 55, and the traffic will continue 
at 70+.  Put the speed limit at 50 on neighborhood streets and people 
will still drive in the 20s and 30s.  
 
>needs more money, there are far better and more efficient ways to get it 
>than to have a $20/hour cop pull you over and spend 15 minutes writing a 
>$70 ticket--things called TAXES.  

No, the things are called photo radar.  No expense except the equipment and
postage.  When you need more money, just set the tolerance lower.  Of course,
since you don't know about it until long after the fact, there is no deterrent
value (unliked a marked police car, which makes people slow for 30 seconds
or so.

As far as taxes vs. tickets, which is easier to sell--we have to crack down
on these maniacs causing carnage on our roadways, or we have to increase
everyone's gasoline taxes?

Bob Nelson


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