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Re: Why it's set at 55 m.p.h...
In article <3lq2ph$hnk@clarknet.clark.net>, thonhazz@clark.net (Jonathan Hazzard) says:
>
>
> I've been following the thread about speeders FYI and I think everyone
>who posted a followup is missing a very important point. The fact that
>the speed limit is 55 is not to _increase_ revenue. It's not a silly
>speed limit, even though everyone exceeds it.
I disagree
> The state and the legislature, believe it or not, actually are
>concerned about highway safety. It costs far more money to clean people
>off the road after an accident than is gained in ticket revenue. There
Unfortunately the major cause of accidents has never been linked to
the vehicles speed. Infact, I would bet that an argument can be made that
an absurdly low speed limit would actually reduce the attentiveness of the
drivers and cause more accidents.
Look at the states that did increase the speed limit to 65. Although
some states showed an increase in the first year - as far as I know
those every one of the cases where statistically insignificant. One
year they had 2 deaths on the highway - the next year there was 3 in
the car - thus 50% increase. However in the long run, it has been
well publisized by car oriented magazines, that the death rate on the
highways continues to decline - unaffected by the posted speed limit.
>are two reasons why fines are collected:
> 1) as a deterrent to excessively exceeding the speed limit
However, the most effective deterent seems to be a patroling police
officer - preferably on a motorcycle.
> 2) to create a source of income to offset the costs of maintaining,
>patrolling, and providing emergency services on highways.
Paying for more radar guns so they can nab more speeders.... So if
no one speeds our roads become crap - thus I'm doing my civic duty
by speeding - I just have to do it more obviously so that I get caught
once.
[stuff deleted]
> Get over your paranoia. Speed limits are set to reduce operating
>costs and fines are set to discourage exceeding the limits by great amounts.
But my point is
1) operating costs should not be affected by the number violators caught.
This leads to quotas, which in turn lead to tighter and tighter enforcement
while the police try to reach their quotas. At what point does the police
enforcement become harasment?
2)If 55mph truely saved lives versus 65mph - why shouldn't the speed limit
be set at 45mph - or perhaps 35mph? Given your justifications for
55mph explain how they exclude a 35mph maximum speed.
3)It ignores the real threat to motor safety - the poorly skilled driver.
I lump in the un-courteous driver.
a) The driver that fails to follow the simple rule - slower traffic should
keep right - if your passed on the right hand side you are in the
wrong lane (or the guy that passed you is eithier on the shoulder (an @$$hole)
or in the far right lane (also an @$$ hole)
b) The driver that fails to signal a lane change (my ESP has not been the
same lately)
c) The driver that weaves in and out of traffic (usually has problems
with item b as well)
d) The driver that speeds up to prevent you from pulling in front -
I guess that's what I get for signalling.
e) Conversly, the driver that cuts you off and then decides he's not
in that much of hurry after all.
f) The driver that thinks "Merge Area" means come to a complete stop -
then either cut off people driving much faster, or drive into the
grass as the merge area ends. Note: these people jepardize all those
stuck behind them.
Is it unreasonable for me to expect that the drivers on the road have
some level of confidence? Well what do I expect from a place where a
driver's license cost a couple of bucks and the "test" involves an
easy written exam and a parking lot test.
My mother never fails to remind me that her test (West Germany at the
time) required an extensive test including panic stops (pumping the
brakes) and even changing the tire (installing the spare). You also
had to know the basics - like where to check the oil etc and be able
to judge if the car was safe or unsafe. Although insurance is alot
less - I here a license in Germany costs about $1000 - and a hell of
alot more if you loose it because of drunk driving.
The road is not a place to read newspapers, shave, talk on the phone,
read a book, There was a story about a man in Germany who was caught
on photo radar kissing a girl. Not only was he fined for speeding
, in trouble with his wife (not the woman in the picture), but he was
also fined for not paying attention to the road. As it should be!
Interestingly enough Germanies roads (even with unlimited speed limits on
some) are among the safest in the world - and pre reunification they
where the safest?
Hmmm - The fastest and the safest? (also among the best maintained)
How does that fit into your model of "55 saves <fill_in_blank>"?
Dirk
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