RE: Raising Speed Limits Is Safe, US Study Proves
Thursday 29th October 2009
Limits can go up, as well as down...Since 2008, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has been allowed to raise posted limits to 80mph from 75mph, but because motorists were already driving at speeds greater than the original limit the effect has been simply to bring drivers within the law, rather than worsen highway safety.
Raising Speed Limits Is Safe, US Study Proves
80mph limit brings drivers within the law with no negative safety impact
An experiment to raise speed limits to 80mph in Utah has been declared a success in road safety terms.
Limits can go up, as well as down...
That’s the official view of the UDOT which has been studying the move closely, as described by the department’s deputy director Carlos Braceras:
“"Overall we saw speeds increase between two and three miles per hour," he says. "The speed differentials did increase and we saw no change in accident history, while the number of vehicles exceeding the speed limit decreased 20 percent."
According to thenewspaper.com which has reported the story, when the speed limit was 75mph, 85th percentile speeds measured between 81 and 85mph - a barely perceptible change from the 83 to 85mph speeds recorded when the 80mph limit was introduced.
The 85th percentile speed represents the speed at which 85 percent of free-flowing traffic feels is the safest, and according to the report engineers have determined that the best safety is achieved when speed limits match that 85th percentile speed.
"One of the concerns when we presented this bill a couple of sessions ago was that people would increase speeds to 90 or 95 and there would be tremendous carnage on the road," State Representative James Dunnigan told thenewspaper.com:
"Even though it has only been a year, that has not happened. And all that's happened is that people haven't changed their speed much -- a little bit -- but they're doing so legally. So by increasing the speed limit to 80, we just made them legal."
Here at PH, it all sounds like a victory for the democratic principle. Whatever would ‘nanny’ think of such a clear-sighted approach to the appropriate setting of speed limits in the UK..?
Discussion
XTR2Turbo said:
Success for common sense !!
I actually have a theory that if this happened in the UK you would improve lane discipline and reduce lane hogging also thereby improving flow and traffic efficiency also.
David
Agreed, but i also have a theory that this kind of common sense approach is unlikely to ever happen in the UK, at least, not without some kind of 'you can go faster now so we'll charge you more' car tax penalty.I actually have a theory that if this happened in the UK you would improve lane discipline and reduce lane hogging also thereby improving flow and traffic efficiency also.
David
twoheads said:
XTR2Turbo said:
Success for common sense !!
I actually have a theory that if this happened in the UK you would improve lane discipline and reduce lane hogging also thereby improving flow and traffic efficiency also.
David
Agreed, but i also have a theory that this kind of common sense approach is unlikely to ever happen in the UK, at least, not without some kind of 'you can go faster now so we'll charge you more' car tax penalty.I actually have a theory that if this happened in the UK you would improve lane discipline and reduce lane hogging also thereby improving flow and traffic efficiency also.
David
This country is run by bone headed money grabbing morons, and that doesn't look like it's going to change.. er....ever!
Shock news story that people have paid little attention to the speed limit and decided for themselves what's safe?
James Dunnigan said:
One of the concerns when we presented this bill a couple of sessions ago was that people would increase speeds to 90 or 95 and there would be tremendous carnage on the road
Why do they think we're that stupid? It does make common sense.
I think most people drive at a speed, not to break the limit, but at what is considered a reasonable speed...but above the limit.
In certain areas with a 30mph speed limit, it is very appropriate to do 30mph. On other 30's, it is far too slow. I would say the average driver sits at probably 5-10mph over the limit i.e 40mph or so. If some 30's were made into 40's then I feel the majority of people who sat at 40mph in the 30 would still sit at 40 because regardless of them knowing that they were breaking the law, they felt it was an appropriate speed.
However, with this there would also be those who drive at more like 50mph in a 30, obviously 20mph above the limit, who would obviously take the raised speed limit to 40 to mean just continue to drive 20mph over the limit i.e 60. Then it gets dangerous. This would be the minority, but the risk of one death is obviously enough to throw any case like this in the article in the bin in the government's eyes.
It is a difficult one, but fair play to these people for trying it.
I can't see it catching on in the UK but do believe some speed limits need to be seriously looked at and adjusted...at least for a trial like they have done in this article.
I think most people drive at a speed, not to break the limit, but at what is considered a reasonable speed...but above the limit.
In certain areas with a 30mph speed limit, it is very appropriate to do 30mph. On other 30's, it is far too slow. I would say the average driver sits at probably 5-10mph over the limit i.e 40mph or so. If some 30's were made into 40's then I feel the majority of people who sat at 40mph in the 30 would still sit at 40 because regardless of them knowing that they were breaking the law, they felt it was an appropriate speed.
However, with this there would also be those who drive at more like 50mph in a 30, obviously 20mph above the limit, who would obviously take the raised speed limit to 40 to mean just continue to drive 20mph over the limit i.e 60. Then it gets dangerous. This would be the minority, but the risk of one death is obviously enough to throw any case like this in the article in the bin in the government's eyes.
It is a difficult one, but fair play to these people for trying it.
I can't see it catching on in the UK but do believe some speed limits need to be seriously looked at and adjusted...at least for a trial like they have done in this article.
Before everyone gets themselves into some sort of speedlimit frenzy - has anyone actually seen the roads they have applied this to?
It is Southern Utah which is less well populated than some parts of the Moon and the roads to which the chnages pertain are the interstates- straight for miles except for the odd 10degree bend. I don't think this is evidence that it would work here, but agree that it is a good thing at least a less reactionary view of speed is being taken
It is Southern Utah which is less well populated than some parts of the Moon and the roads to which the chnages pertain are the interstates- straight for miles except for the odd 10degree bend. I don't think this is evidence that it would work here, but agree that it is a good thing at least a less reactionary view of speed is being taken
This is common sense. This country has to much of the labour eco tree hugging cycle-ass carbon morons that would expect every vehicle to drive at 20mph everywhere.
I am sure the majority of accidents excessive speed is not the true cause, but is used as a scape goat. A lot of it has to do with concentration. A road near me they have lowered the speed limit in the past few months from 40 down to 30 which the road you can easily do 50 comfortably without any danger. The reason for the speed limit change is because they put a traffic light crossing and a school is within 400 metres of the road. The silly thing is, when school is opening and closing,you would be hard pushed if you could even reach 30 as the majority of vehicles would only be able to manage 15-20 mph because of all the parked cars on both sides from parents. When it is all over the road is back to normal as a dead road with a dumb 30 limit on it now, lunacy. I am sure the majority of people would still be hitting 40 or more than that.
I am sure the majority of accidents excessive speed is not the true cause, but is used as a scape goat. A lot of it has to do with concentration. A road near me they have lowered the speed limit in the past few months from 40 down to 30 which the road you can easily do 50 comfortably without any danger. The reason for the speed limit change is because they put a traffic light crossing and a school is within 400 metres of the road. The silly thing is, when school is opening and closing,you would be hard pushed if you could even reach 30 as the majority of vehicles would only be able to manage 15-20 mph because of all the parked cars on both sides from parents. When it is all over the road is back to normal as a dead road with a dumb 30 limit on it now, lunacy. I am sure the majority of people would still be hitting 40 or more than that.
ucb said:
Before everyone gets themselves into some sort of speedlimit frenzy - has anyone actually seen the roads they have applied this to?
It is Southern Utah which is less well populated than some parts of the Moon and the roads to which the chnages pertain are the interstates- straight for miles except for the odd 10degree bend. I don't think this is evidence that it would work here, but agree that it is a good thing at least a less reactionary view of speed is being taken
Yes valid point but from my recollection of driving in Utah some of the Interstates are not even motorways but single carriageways with no central barriers. I agree pretty remote but they have more of a problem with heat haze limiting visibility.It is Southern Utah which is less well populated than some parts of the Moon and the roads to which the chnages pertain are the interstates- straight for miles except for the odd 10degree bend. I don't think this is evidence that it would work here, but agree that it is a good thing at least a less reactionary view of speed is being taken
Didn't Italy increase spead limits recently. Perhaps a better comparison.
Escort Si-130 said:
labour eco tree hugging cycle-ass carbon morons
I cycle 12 miles every day. Please don't make as as if I hug trees or do it to "cut carbon". For me it's much needed physical exercise, and I cycle as quick as I can, often overtaking cars, especially those driven by inattentive drivers. I even cycle on roads with a 50mph limit. What pisses me off is drivers that won't overtake despite it obviously being safe to do so, or those idiots who swerve, thinking I'm an elephant on a bike and occupy the lane for the opposite direction completely.XTR2Turbo said:
ucb said:
Before everyone gets themselves into some sort of speedlimit frenzy - has anyone actually seen the roads they have applied this to?
It is Southern Utah which is less well populated than some parts of the Moon and the roads to which the chnages pertain are the interstates- straight for miles except for the odd 10degree bend. I don't think this is evidence that it would work here, but agree that it is a good thing at least a less reactionary view of speed is being taken
Yes valid point but from my recollection of driving in Utah some of the Interstates are not even motorways but single carriageways with no central barriers. I agree pretty remote but they have more of a problem with heat haze limiting visibility.It is Southern Utah which is less well populated than some parts of the Moon and the roads to which the chnages pertain are the interstates- straight for miles except for the odd 10degree bend. I don't think this is evidence that it would work here, but agree that it is a good thing at least a less reactionary view of speed is being taken
Didn't Italy increase spead limits recently. Perhaps a better comparison.
ucb said:
Before everyone gets themselves into some sort of speedlimit frenzy - has anyone actually seen the roads they have applied this to?
It is Southern Utah which is less well populated than some parts of the Moon and the roads to which the chnages pertain are the interstates- straight for miles except for the odd 10degree bend. I don't think this is evidence that it would work here, but agree that it is a good thing at least a less reactionary view of speed is being taken
Wow, a reasoned well thought out reply on PH.It is Southern Utah which is less well populated than some parts of the Moon and the roads to which the chnages pertain are the interstates- straight for miles except for the odd 10degree bend. I don't think this is evidence that it would work here, but agree that it is a good thing at least a less reactionary view of speed is being taken
WTF are you doing here....?
XTR2Turbo said:
Didn't Italy increase spead limits recently. Perhaps a better comparison.
I think they did but for a very different way, their arguement was that the faster someone drives the more attention they pay to what they are doing and sitting in a flow of traffic at 60/70mph would allow a person's attention to wander and therefore cause an accident. This does make sense as when the worlds passing you by at more than a mile a minute then paying attention should be the only thing on your mind and not the dolly bird in the car you just passed........
But it doesn't matter as it'll never happen here as those that make decisions don't drive themselves anywhere so it doesn't matter to them what rules they make as they'll never break them.
The current government won't have a word of it.
They have mind-washed themselves to believe the key to safety & the environment is to penalise motorists for a few mph over the speed limit and extract as much cash as possible while they're at it.
Not to mention slower means less CO2 (no doubt in their minds) so it's win win allround.
If only real life was actually like that! Well it isn't.. so clear off labour!
They have mind-washed themselves to believe the key to safety & the environment is to penalise motorists for a few mph over the speed limit and extract as much cash as possible while they're at it.
Not to mention slower means less CO2 (no doubt in their minds) so it's win win allround.
If only real life was actually like that! Well it isn't.. so clear off labour!
ucb said:
Before everyone gets themselves into some sort of speedlimit frenzy - has anyone actually seen the roads they have applied this to?
It is Southern Utah which is less well populated than some parts of the Moon and the roads to which the chnages pertain are the interstates- straight for miles except for the odd 10degree bend. I don't think this is evidence that it would work here, but agree that it is a good thing at least a less reactionary view of speed is being taken
Very good point - just had a look on Google Maps and Interstate 15 is incredibly straight. I've driven a section of it in Northern Utah and it was a very dull drive - stunning scenery, but not an entertaining spell at the helm.It is Southern Utah which is less well populated than some parts of the Moon and the roads to which the chnages pertain are the interstates- straight for miles except for the odd 10degree bend. I don't think this is evidence that it would work here, but agree that it is a good thing at least a less reactionary view of speed is being taken
Another interesting point is that in the linked article you can see a little more of the "Speed Limit 80" sign - underneath it is another sign dropping the speed limit at night to 65mph. I wonder why they've done that?
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