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Are Higher Speed Limits More Dangerous?

On June 12, 2010, the Waynesboro News Virginian reported on the proposal to increase the maximum speed limits on Virginia roadways, including on the consistently dangerous I-81. We all know that driving cars on the highways can be dangerous business. In the United States in 2008 (the last year the data is available) there were 34,014 traffic-related fatalities. In Virginia alone there were 824 people killed in traffic accidents. But what are the facts about speed limits, and what should we as drivers on Virginia roads know about this important issue that affects all of us?

In 1973, the Congress of the United States, in response to the Arab oil boycott and the ensuing fuel shortage, instructed the US Treasury department to withhold federal highway funds from any state who did not institute a maximum 55 mph speed limit on their highways. By early 1974, all of the states had adopted the new 55 mph maximum speed restriction.

In 1987, with the oil boycott a thing of the past, and with the price of gasoline stabilizing, the US Congress approved increasing the maximum speed to 65 mph on highways. And in 1995, lawmakers removed all federal restrictions on speed limits, deferring instead to the states to impose their own speed limits on the highways as they saw fit. All of the states imposed their own speed limits and all of the states now allow cars to exceed the previous 55 mph standard.

But what do we really know about the safety of driving faster? Well, we can look at statistics to show what happened in the period since the removal of the federal restriction on speed limits which slowed us down to 55.

In an extensive report published in the July 16, 2009 online edition of the American Journal of Public Health, researchers studied fatalities on American roadways from 1995 to 2005. During that time period they found a 3.9% increase in traffic fatalities attributed to the higher speed limits during the study period. In real numbers, that means there were 12,545 more deaths and 36,582 more injuries that can be directly related to the higher speed limit, according to the study.

The report also discusses the increased risk of injury at higher speeds. The faster a vehicle is travelling, the more kinetic energy it has. In a crash, that kinetic energy is transferred to the driver causing injury and sometimes death. The higher the speed, the worse the outcome could be, according to the report.

Not everybody thinks that lowering the speed limit is the solution to this problem. Studies show that the savings in fuel cost is nominal and that time lost driving at 55mph would cost businesses millions of dollars per year. Some believe that with air bags, anti-lock brakes, and other improvements, cars are safer today than they were in 1995 when the restrictions were lifted.

Whichever side of the discussion you’re on, one thing is certain; the road is a dangerous place. Do what you can to be safe on the highway by following these simple rules:

• Always wear your seatbelt. This is probably the single most important rule for you to follow.
• If you are tired or sleepy, pull over.
• Don’t talk on the cell phone while driving. Looking away from the road and at a cell phone for even a second puts your life and the lives of those around you in serious danger.
• Don’t tailgate. You should leave a 4 or 5 second gap between you and the car in front of you. If the car ahead of you passes an object (like a street sign or an advertisement) you should be able to count to 4 or 5 before you pass the same object. If you can’t, you’re following too close.
• Check your brake lights and turn signals regularly. Remember, they are your warning system to other cars that you are about to alter your speed or course.
• Be aware of the world around you. Keep your eyes moving. This way, you can anticipate what might happen, and it could save a life.
• In rain, sleet, or snow, SLOW DOWN! It is much easier to lose control of your vehicle in inclement weather.
• Alcohol and driving are a bad combination. Don’t drink and drive.

No one leaves the house in the morning planning to have an accident. To be safer on the road, we can take simple steps like those listed above when we get behind the wheel. Whether at 55 or 75 mph, accidents happen, and the results can be catastrophic.