Sign In Join 

You are here: [F] Forums / Automotive News & Views / Should the US government bring back the 55 mph max speed limit again?



Should the US government bring back the 55 mph max speed limit again?

1418 messages,  Last post on Dec 16, 2008 at 11:21 AM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires

What is this discussion about? Automotive News


Messages Page 140 of 143
1
...
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#1382 of 1418
Re: [fintail]The slow and backwards will keep right or wish they had [euphonium] [lemmer] [euphonium] [lemmer] [euphonium] [kernick] [euphonium] by fintail
Nov 16, 2008 (8:56 am)
Reply

Replying to: euphonium (Nov 15, 2008 12:34 pm)

Maybe you were going so slow he thought you might be a little tipsy?
 
Sorry, I couldn't resist
#1383 of 1418
Speed Limiter is the by andres3
Nov 20, 2008 (3:11 pm)
Reply
maximum speed recommended by the manufacturer, and no other.
#1384 of 1418
NO! by ruking1
Nov 22, 2008 (9:31 am)
Reply
Heavens NO !!! One can already legally go 35 mph in a 65 mph zone !!! Why would you want to go any slower?
#1385 of 1418
And without a drop to 55mph by kernick
Dec 11, 2008 (4:44 pm)
Reply
As far as I know there have not been any major changes in SL, yet we have this wonderful drop in fatalities. Lowest since Lyndon Johnson, so that is even lower than - when the SL was 55mph, and there were a lot less drivers and autos on the road.
 
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2008-12-11-auto-deaths_N.htm
#1386 of 1418
Re: And without a drop to 55mph [kernick] by ruking1
Dec 11, 2008 (6:11 pm)
Reply

Replying to: kernick (Dec 11, 2008 4:44 pm)

Indeed !!! In addition in most so called urban/suburban areas(multi lanes in one directions separated) there is a lot more crowding and compression and rules, regulations, exceptions, changes, construction, destruction, and, and, and,.... Most folks live in areas where 75-90 mph is the rule rather than the exception. If you are going 75 mph it is truly advisable to be in either the extreme right to right hand lanes. I routinely am passed by Highway Patrol while going 75 mph. (65 mph zones) These are statistically the SAFEST road ways.
#1387 of 1418
Re: And without a drop to 55mph [kernick] by cdn_tch
Dec 11, 2008 (7:19 pm)
Reply

Replying to: kernick (Dec 11, 2008 4:44 pm)

It's great that there has been a drop in fatalities, but what are the reasons for it?
 
First, there was a 3.5% drop in miles traveled. Original NHTSA paper
Second, seat belt usage rose to 83% in 2008, the highest rate in history.
Third, from From a NHTSA web page "Improved Road Safety"
 
The above are facts from NHTSA, one speculation from me is with $4+ gas, some people may have actually slowed down to save gas. (not to 55, but maybe to the SL instead of 5-10 over?)
#1388 of 1418
Re: And without a drop to 55mph [cdn_tch] by fintail
Dec 11, 2008 (7:22 pm)
Reply

Replying to: cdn_tch (Dec 11, 2008 7:19 pm)

Anecdorally, I don't recall seeing people drive any slower 5 months ago when gas spiked, compared to today. Of course, in my area most people are unfit to drive at more than 50mph, so they go painfully slow when they meander onto the highways.
#1389 of 1418
Re: And without a drop to 55mph [fintail] by steve_ HOST
Dec 11, 2008 (8:07 pm)
Reply

Replying to: fintail (Dec 11, 2008 7:22 pm)

I don't recall seeing people drive any slower
 
I do, but this isn't a frenzied driving area typically either.
#1390 of 1418
Re: And without a drop to 55mph [cdn_tch] by ruking1
Dec 11, 2008 (11:43 pm)
Reply

Replying to: cdn_tch (Dec 11, 2008 7:19 pm)

I am surprised they did not mention at all the role of app 40% DUI of accidents and fatalities past and how it interrelates during the current 2008 year. Again not a peep about the higher defacto speed limits.
#1391 of 1418
Re: And without a drop to 55mph [cdn_tch] by kernick
Dec 12, 2008 (9:30 am)
Reply

Replying to: cdn_tch (Dec 11, 2008 7:19 pm)

First, there was a 3.5% drop in miles traveled.
 
But the report said that the fatalities haven't been this low since Lyndon Johnson' days the 60's. So, even during the 70's and 80's when the national SL was 55mph the number of fatalities was higher. And during the 70's and 80's how many cars and how many total miles were driven. So simply having a 55 mph SL is not going to save lives, as you point out in the following:
 
Second, seat belt usage rose to 83% in 2008, the highest rate in history
 
Yes and voluntary usage of seatbelts is good if you want to improve your safety. And you also have the voluntary options to add other injury and life-saving equipment. For instance I'm enjoying my new snow/ice tires (and the government didn't have to write a law telling me to be smart!).
 
Third, from From a NHTSA web page "Improved Road Safety"
 
Yes road safety is mainly a factor of the improving technology of our vehicles. As more and more vehicle with stability control enter the fleet, and radar systems, the fatality rates will continue to drop.
 
Now if we could just do something to really keep drunks off the road, and keep inexperienced teens from racing/showing off/and generally fooling around.
 
These are the sorts of things that improve safety; not telling they need to drive 55mph on an interstate.

Messages Page 140 of 143
1
...
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

You are here: [F] Forums / Automotive News & Views / Should the US government bring back the 55 mph max speed limit again?

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics

Today's Chats

Advertisement