Does the speed limit save lives?

Question

Does the speed limit save lives?

Answer 1

Yes, to prevent people to kill themselves

Answer 2

They don't because people don't follow them

If the speed limit is 55 or 65mph, people will go 70, 80, or 90mph

The speed limit has become a joke.

Answer 3

Speed limits do not save lives.  Over 40% of Germany's Autobahn has no speed restrictions, yet the traffic fatility rate is much lower than compared to our Interstates (see source).

I would argue that it is the weight of American vehicles and the lack of driver discipline that make our roads much more dangerous than speed.  It is more difficult to control a 4,000lb SUV than a 2,0000lb sedan.  Plus, it takes a whole lot less fuel to move a vehicle half the weight.

Add to the mix, talking on a phones, changing a song on your MP3 player and eating your lunch in a paper bag, all while driving.

Answer 4

i should think so. when you're driving at a fast speed, it's easier to go out of control, and it puts not only your life but that of other people at risk

Answer 5

depends on how you look at it

in the U.S. theres speed limits and theres a lot of accidents

in Germany theres the autobahn and not many accidents

in the U.S. there is speed limits

on the autobahn there are none

my conclusion from this is in the U.S. it is to easy to get you license, why is that??? i really think a 2 ton hunk of metal flying down the road doing 60mph is a little more dangerous then a gun which the license for a gun is almost impossible to get

Answer 6

No. Obeying it does, though. If most people follow it and one maniac exceeds it, there is more likelyhood of a wreck. On the other hand, yes. Maybe. Because if the speed limit is slow, the impact from collisions is reduced, and people may jsut get injured instead of killed.

Answer 7

Yes often.

Answer 8

which speed limit ??

the 10 mph around a ice covered curve might

Answer 9

In a sense.

Speed doesn't actually kill, it's the DIFFERENCE between the speeds of different objects, and the rate of deceleration, that kills.  If you're driving along at 60 mph and the guy behind hits you because he's doing 61, you'll barely feel the bump, since the closing speed is only 1 mph.  However, since most objects along the side of the road are stationary, the speed difference between them and you goes up as your speed goes up.  Vehicles coming towards you increase the closing speed even more dramatically.  And finally, reaction times don't speed up as your vehicle does, meaning that you'll travel further between when you see something and when you react to it - not to mention that the vehicle can't react as quickly, either (can't stop, turn or accelerate as well as it can at lower speeds.)  This is why a fender-bender isn't a big deal at low speeds, but a fairly minor tap at high speeds can put you into the trees.

Answer 10

Only if it corresponds safely with the number of lanes. For an example a two-lane road in one direction could have a limit of 60kph and three-lane with a 80kph limit. A higher road divider between roads having opposite directions would prevent disastrous head-on collisions, thus saving more lives.

   But it is sad that many highways do not have this all-important safety barrier. The other factors that have contributed to a high statistic of road deaths annually are:

       1.  Drink-driving, esp by youngsters who have little

driving experience

        2. Legal driving age imposed is too low, as teenagers  on average are not yet mature or responsible in the handling of  their vehicles. All nations should consider raising it to 21 yrs of age.

        3.  Vehicles and tyre threads not properly maintained.

Answer 11

It saves live and conserves gas.

Answer 12

From my experience as a Police Officer.... YES!