[Simnut]

Originally Posted by sebberry

Sure the speeds went up, the speed limit went up. But crashes don't necessarily go up:

Page 23 - Review and Analysis of Posted Speed Limits and
Speed Limit Setting Practices


When more vehicles travel at or near the same speed as eachother, there are fewer opportunities for interaction as well as an improved ability for drivers to see other problematic drivers.

Same thing would happen if everyone followed the speed limit!

Why do drivers pick that speed? They find it to be a safe speed given the design of the road, visibility, etc.. I would be willing to bet that if you raised the speed limit to 60kph you wouldn't see too many drivers exceeding the speeds they currently find to be safe. Why? Because even when they can, they generally don't.

Yes, why do they pick that speed? Perhaps one person tends to speed, the next person gets the idea..the next person gets the idea....etc. I don't think it has anything to do with "safe speed" of the road. The speed of the road is what the speed limit signs say........according to the law. Why do they speed? Because it will get them to their destination 2 minutes earlier? Why do they speed? Many drivers out there ....and we all know who we are....hate to be passed by someone...or hate to be behind a particular kind of vehicle. There are many reasons why people speed...and I don't think many speed with the thought "this is good...this is a safe speed for this road". No....they speed because they are in a hurry or impatient.

Perhaps raising the speed limits so that more people are in compliance with the limit will result in fewer speed differentials between vehicles.

And where would you draw the line? There will ALWAYS be drivers that think the speed limit is too slow. It's simple, just do the speed limit!

Setting speed limits to more accurately reflect actual travel speeds will also allow drivers who feel the need to putter along at the posted limit to drive at a speed more consistent with the vehicles around them.

You mean the drivers that obey the law?