Comments on: The Effect Of A National Speed Limit On Traffic Safety & Fuel Prices

By: the Sublime Blog » The Most Popular Safety Laws (That Don’t Work)

the Sublime Blog » The Most Popular Safety Laws (That Don’t Work) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:50:54 +0000

[...] during the national speed limit’s lifetime. Buzz-killing critics of the law point out that no, no they [...]

By: Phil Mckrackin

Phil Mckrackin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 03:53:36 +0000

illegally underposted?? If that is the case then you can set precedent just by fighting your case to the state supreme court. Since the 85th percentile is used in most municipalities along with other factors to determine the number that goes onto the sign and EVERY state has rules on how to derrive that number if you can prove the number doesn’t meet the criteria set forth in said rules you’ll win your case. Good luck with that!

By: Randy

Randy — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 02:20:57 +0000

George 2 if people would not have to 20 mph over any limits whatever they are everyone could set their cruise control pretty much at the speed limit and there would be no problems at all. Even on two lane interstates it would not be a crime to switch to and stay in the left lane a while if there are slower trucks running in the right lane. It is the 85 percentile and above that cause much of the problems while in traffic. They also cause others to have to drive faster if they get in the left lane to get away from trucks because they are mostly all tailgaters.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:26:49 +0000

George 2

You are correct. 55 and 65 speed limits are a crime. They are illegally underposted in many states. Michigan traffic law states speed limits are to be set at 85th% speeds, but the 70mph speed limit is only a 30-50th% speed limit.

When the 55 limit was imposed in 1974, the intent was that it would be a temporary limit and then speed limits would return to pre-1974 levels. As we all know, many states have not returned to pre-55 limits.

By: Todd

Todd — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:42:36 +0000

To George 2

I can see your point of view. On some interstates 55 mph is too low and sometimes when conditions permit 100 mph could be done safely on those interstates. An autobahn for a two lane freeway is ok just as lone as people know how to handle their vehicles safely at autobahn speeds (which includes but is not limited to NO tailgating, signaling when changing lanes or turning), “Keep Right Except to Pass” is practice and enforce, vehicle safety inspections are more strict, roads are paved better, better road markings/signs, guard rails, stricter DUI consequences, reasonable police enforcement, etc. Honestly I don’t think U.S. drivers are as discipline as the ones in Germany or in other words U.S. drivers are not ready for an autobahn.

A two lane autobahn is safer than a multi-lane autobahn because on a multi-lane freeway their is more of a change of two drivers trying to switch into the same lane at the same time. Thats dangerous because if those two drivers crash at autobahn speeds I really don’t think any driver will walk out of that crash ok. On a two lane freeway this doesn’t happen as much as it does on a multi-lane freeway.

By: George 2

George 2 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 03:24:47 +0000

With our draconian system and with zillions of beautiful multi-lane highways bigger than any autobahn still set on 55 or 65 is an absolute crime. In America were constantly Driving in fear of getting pulled over, constantly looking down at the speedometer trying to maintain a certain speed and not to go over 1-3 mph a certain speed that might get you pulled over, but your already 10-15 mph over the posted 55 or 65 ridiculous speed limit. This is an accident causing distraction, but not in Europe when go there. Pay attention to the road and don’t have to worry about unreasonable speed limits, cruising at 80-90 mph and that’s only 5-9 over their limits. Paying attention to the road is good for safety, paying attention to a speedometer is unsafe and dangerous.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:45:18 +0000

I don’t remember any full size station wagons that got 20 mpg in the 1970s. Heck, a Pinto barely got 23 mpg back in 1978.

I don’t own a small business, so I’m out of luck. Hybrids get tax breaks even though the manufacturing processes used to make them are damaging to the environment. The Toyota Prius batteries are made in a grossly unenvironmentally way in Canada.

You see plenty of AWD SUVs in Florida because that’s what is needed to pull a boat up a slippery boat ramp. I’ve seen cars and 2WD pickups slide backwards into the water when trying to hoist a boat and trailer up a ramp.

By: Speed Trap Hunter

Speed Trap Hunter — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:22:42 +0000

Jeff,

You must be joking.

The wagon sure got better (highway) mileage than these newer larger “trucks” and that includes thirty years of improved engine/combustion designs and chassis fabrication/materials.

With respect to incentives for large vehicles, where have you been?

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2002-12-18-suv-tax-break_x.htm

http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/int/hummer

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Hybrid/Story?id=97505&page=1

Speedtrap Hunter

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:01:18 +0000

Speed trap hunter used to take trips in a big, gas-guzzling station wagon? I remember those from the 1970s – big V8, rear wheel drive, weighed 2 tons.

By: Speedtrap Hunter

Speedtrap Hunter — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:02:08 +0000

jeff,

These exotics are indeed poor models of efficiency.

Only thing is they are not produced nor driven in the hundreds of thousands either.

Sure, a Lambo may get 9mpg, but they are produced in the qty of 100s and the people that drive them can afford the petro.

See you at the pump!

STH