hedgehog

Research based upon the US situation has been around for a while but the following, along with the autoban examples we often see quoted here, adds further support to the assertion that speed limits do nothing to save lives:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releas...-slm062205.php

"A new article publishing in the latest issue of Review of Policy Research examines the evolution and devolution of speed limit laws and their effects on fatality rates. The author did not find a significant increase in fatalities per miles driven after speed limit laws ceased to be national and states could, and some did, increase their highway limit to more than fifty-five miles per hour. "Automobile safety features and enforcement emerge as important factors in increasing highway safety; speed limits are far less important," author Robert O. Yowell explains."

Of course this is tricky as some people need the assistance of some form of "limit" to give them a clue displaying, as they do, little or no situational awareness. So, clearly, calling for no speed limit in all areas would not be wise. However supporting the 85th percentile method of setting limits and more intensive and extensive training would seem to be logical progressions from research like this.

mart360

we,ve been saying for ages that speed does not kill...

but the flat earthers/ bib/ nl brigade will brand you a heretic and spin you to death...

expect a new tax or law to denounce the finding to be introduced..

Mart

Luminous

iTrader: (3)

Don't care. I plan to move to the Isle of Man where they have no limits outside of town

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Does the research elaborate on the use of the word 'enforcement' in this context? Enforcement of what?

hedgehog

Like yourself I have only seen the abstract. From the abstract there appeared to be the implication that it was intended to mean enforcement other than relating to speeding in view of the statement that "speed limits are far less important."

If this is the intended meaning then it fits in quite neatly with what organisations dedicated to road safety have been demanding for quite some time; that is to say sensible policing, improved roads and the elimination of the "i'm within the speed limit so i'm safe" message and attitude.

corradoboy

It's why Germany's autobahns are safer than our motorways (although there is less and less deresricted areas every year ) and why the Isle of Man doesn't stand out as a shining example of everything that's wrong with enjoying driving. Fact, a fast driver is more aware of his actions and surroundings than a half asleep, dopey, green, tofu sandal wearing, daydreaming geography teacher in a Nissan Micra

Now will somebody please tell Ladyman and Darling