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No, difference in speed causes those accidents: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_curve https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_curve > Speeding is one of t

by 0xfeba 9y ago

No, difference in speed causes those accidents: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_curve https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_curve > Speeding is one of the stupidest norms that exists in our society. Politicians arbitrarily setting the speed limits is the root cause. The EU has many countries which have higher freeway limits, yet lower accidents per mile driven. They also have more stringent licensing.

ameister14 9y ago
Yeah, that's not a great study (though it was admittedly pretty groundbreaking,) and it doesn't actually prove that there is no relation between speed and accidents. Multiple studies since the 60's have shown different results. >Politicians arbitrarily setting the speed limits is the root cause. Of speeding, or accidents?
- 0xfeba 9y ago
  > Yeah, that's not a great study (though it was admittedly pretty groundbreaking,) and it doesn't actually prove that there is no relation between speed and accidents. Multiple studies since the 60's have shown different results. The link sourced multiple studies. The originals were dubious, subsequent ones not so much. But the issue the Solomon curve and other similar studies points out is that humans (and largely Americans) will ignore the rules if they feel they can safely go faster. And sure, you can't ignore overall average speed. Crashes on roads where the average speed is 100 mph are going to be much more prone to fatalities than 55 mph roads. So, there are two rough equations: Lower average speeds mean less severe crashes; speed limits set to the 85th percentile mean fewer crashes. As the speed limit is raised (from 0), there will be at least one solution that satisfies both of those equations and results in the fewest fatal crashes (if that's your goal). In certain situations the lower speed limits can make things less safe. For example, a straight, well maintained toll road with wide lanes, clear vision ahead, and say wildlife barriers that was designed for 75mph max speeds is constructed in a state with statewide 55mph speed limits. Construction uses the latest traffic easing and safety techniques, since you don't want to construct all roads to enforce speed limits that may change in the future. So now most truckers and cautious drivers go 55mph, while people with less inhibitions are weaving in and out of them.
  - ameister14 9y ago
    Are you talking about the wikipedia link? All the subsequent studies save one that it sourced disproved the first's premise or drew attention to serious questions as to its validity. Did you read them?

by 0xfeba 9y ago

ameister14 9y ago

Yeah, that's not a great study (though it was admittedly pretty groundbreaking,) and it doesn't actually prove that there is no relation between speed and accidents. Multiple studies since the 60's have shown different results. >Politicians arbitrarily setting the speed limits is the root cause. Of speeding, or accidents?

0xfeba 9y ago
> Yeah, that's not a great study (though it was admittedly pretty groundbreaking,) and it doesn't actually prove that there is no relation between speed and accidents. Multiple studies since the 60's have shown different results. The link sourced multiple studies. The originals were dubious, subsequent ones not so much. But the issue the Solomon curve and other similar studies points out is that humans (and largely Americans) will ignore the rules if they feel they can safely go faster. And sure, you can't ignore overall average speed. Crashes on roads where the average speed is 100 mph are going to be much more prone to fatalities than 55 mph roads. So, there are two rough equations: Lower average speeds mean less severe crashes; speed limits set to the 85th percentile mean fewer crashes. As the speed limit is raised (from 0), there will be at least one solution that satisfies both of those equations and results in the fewest fatal crashes (if that's your goal). In certain situations the lower speed limits can make things less safe. For example, a straight, well maintained toll road with wide lanes, clear vision ahead, and say wildlife barriers that was designed for 75mph max speeds is constructed in a state with statewide 55mph speed limits. Construction uses the latest traffic easing and safety techniques, since you don't want to construct all roads to enforce speed limits that may change in the future. So now most truckers and cautious drivers go 55mph, while people with less inhibitions are weaving in and out of them.
- ameister14 9y ago
  Are you talking about the wikipedia link? All the subsequent studies save one that it sourced disproved the first's premise or drew attention to serious questions as to its validity. Did you read them?