Re:The Mercedes Robo-Car That Made Me Want to Stop Driving
by m_mueller on Monday March 30, 2015 @04:47AM
(#9288341)
I'm quoting the data entries for the US that are either nation-wide or multi-state:
decreases
* US (22 states) (1992) 5 mph to 15 mph (8 km/h to 24 km/h) decreases No significant changes
increases
* US (1989) 55 mph to 65 mph (89 km/h to 105 km/h) Fatal crashes increased by 21%
* US (40 states) (1990) 55 mph to 65 mph (89 km/h to 105 km/h) Fatalities increased by 15%
Decrease or no effect in 12 States
* US (40 states) (1994) 55 mph to 65 mph (89 km/h to 105 km/h) Statewide fatality rates decreased 3-5% (Significant in 14 of 40 states)
* US (22 states) (1997) 5 mph to 15 mph (8 km/h to 24 km/h) increase No significant changes
So no, I don't see the defining answer here. I'm not saying that the limits should be raised across the board, I'm also not saying that decreases aren't good - all I'm saying is that legal limits should be assessed from time to time (which they are), because of changes in society, technology and new data. Laws are not perfect.
decreases
* US (22 states) (1992) 5 mph to 15 mph (8 km/h to 24 km/h) decreases No significant changes
increases
* US (1989) 55 mph to 65 mph (89 km/h to 105 km/h) Fatal crashes increased by 21%
* US (40 states) (1990) 55 mph to 65 mph (89 km/h to 105 km/h) Fatalities increased by 15% Decrease or no effect in 12 States
* US (40 states) (1994) 55 mph to 65 mph (89 km/h to 105 km/h) Statewide fatality rates decreased 3-5% (Significant in 14 of 40 states)
* US (22 states) (1997) 5 mph to 15 mph (8 km/h to 24 km/h) increase No significant changes
So no, I don't see the defining answer here. I'm not saying that the limits should be raised across the board, I'm also not saying that decreases aren't good - all I'm saying is that legal limits should be assessed from time to time (which they are), because of changes in society, technology and new data. Laws are not perfect.