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October 9, 2009
Repeal The Speed Limits
The interstate highways were designed to handle traffic at 70 mph. During the nightmare of Jimmy Carter's administration, the speed limits were reduced to 55 mph nationwide (thanks dimocrats).
However, when the national 55 mph speed limits were repealed in 1995, there were all sorts of dire predictions about how many lives would be lost, but in fact, traffic fatalities (per mile traveled) actually fell when the speed limits were increased.
This is because people are like sheep. They get all bunched up in the highways and drive along in great clumps. Allowing for a greater speed differential allows faster drivers to come through and break these clumps of traffic and people spread out more as a result.
And now this new article from the lovely city of Detroit, which says much the same thing:
"Peterson said major contributors to aggressive driving include: speed limits that are too low for the road; traffic congestion; and poorly timed traffic lights. These act as instigators to drivers speeding, changing lanes and tailgating, all characteristics of "aggressive" driving.
Changes made to roadways where aggressive driving occurs have reduced reported incidents or road rage, he said.
As an example, Peterson pointed to changes made along a section of Interstate 496 outside of Lansing, which accounted for 40 percent of reported incidents of aggressive driving in that area. When the speed limit was raised from 55 mph to 70 mph, incidents of aggressive driving dropped to zero.
"The low speed limit frustrated many drivers, so they drove over the speed limit. This caused problems for other drivers who were driving at the limit. The speed differential caused the tailgating, passing, and speeding that were reported as 'aggressive' driving," Peterson said.
His data also showed accident rates in that area also fell when the speed limit was raised.
Surprisingly, the higher speed limit also improved traffic flow, nearly eliminating all symptoms of rush hour congestion along that stretch."
Well, it's not surprising to me. It is probably very surprising to the average idiot, but it's not surprising if you're a) intelligent and you have b) taken the time to think about it for a while.
Update:
Posted by Rob Kiser on October 9, 2009 at 7:36 PM
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