Why speed limits don't matter

[russ_watters]

Driving is a legal liability. Why would anyone volunteer to drive?

You're right, it's a completely pointless risk if there's alternatives that make it optional. As is the skydiving I've done once, and my pilot's license. Why indeed....

Is it risk-taking males, between the ages of 18 and 28, who use it as a substitute for tribal warfare, in the hope they will be seen as an alpha male by a trophy mate.

I think that's pushing it. For the record, I started flying lessons in earnest(minus two "discovery" flights) at age 44.

 

[Baluncore]

For the record, I started flying lessons in earnest(minus two "discovery" flights) at age 44.

All the biggest mistakes we make in life, are made in the very short period between the first and second childhood.

 

[PeterDonis]

Moderator's note: All thread participants, please refrain from comments about other people's motives or choice of language. If you see something that does not seem appropriate, use the Report button. Do not respond to it in the thread. Several posts have been either deleted or edited to remove content of that sort.

 

[jack action]

But no, you can't guarantee that at all.

Yes, I can guarantee I'm 100% focused on the road. But no, I cannot guarantee I won't have an accident ... like it is the case for any other driver.

Why would you drive 50mph over the limit?

First, I said 50 km/h; Second, in any case, pleasure.

Also, as I said in a previous post, driving below a certain speed (different for each driver in different conditions) gives you a false sense of security, your mind starts wandering out of boredom, and you are thus less alert.

At best, it is anti-democratic.

Wouldn't that imply that a democratic choice has been made at some point about what the speed limit should be? I can't even imagine what the criteria are to set one. For example, what is an acceptable death rate before we say "this is fast enough"?

What do you think about autobahns in Germany, where vehicles restricted to speeds in the range 60-100 km/h (buses, trucks, cars & motorcycles pulling trailers) share the road with vehicles driving the suggested 130 km/h, and even a few going over 250 km/h?

There is no evidence that German highway safety is much worse than anywhere else, even if you can find better somewhere else. (Although worldwide comparison can be difficult as there are many differences between countries in their geography, economy, traffic growth, highway system size, degree of urbanization and motorization, and so on.)

German organizations calling for a speed limit on autobahns often have more arguments about reducing pollution and improving traffic flow rather than road safety.

 

[jedishrfu]

When everyone follows speed limits, there is a predictability to traffic flow that reduces the chance of accidents. When some drivers break that compact, the chance of an accident increases.

In my opinion, arguing to the contrary is simply incorrect. We have many freedoms, but the freedom to speed faster than others on the road is not one of them.

One case I've observed in Houston is the desire to get on and off the freeways as quickly as possible. Some drivers will pass on the left, while others will do so on the right, or worse, hide in your blind spot. So, although you may know a car is there, it becomes very dangerous to switch to the right lane for slower traffic or to exit the freeway.

In another case, attempting to pull out onto a street with traffic moving at varying speeds is inherently dangerous without the predictability of speed limits; yet, some drivers fail to recognize the importance of these limits in regulating traffic flow. This is when traffic accidents are most likely to occur.

In any case, this is a good time to close this thread, as we have exhausted the topic to the point where our cars are worn out, and it's time to switch to walking and public transportation.

Thank you all for the stimulating conversation.

Jedi