3 ms·
Yes, particularly in light of recent articles I've read describing improved safety as a result of increasing potential confusion (removing lane markers, etc.).
by CWuestefeld 16y ago
Yes, particularly in light of recent articles I've read describing improved safety as a result of increasing potential confusion (removing lane markers, etc.). The theory is that forcing people to pay attention, well, makes them pay more attention.
I'd like to add another possibility beyond what you've noted. Might it be that speed isn't itself more dangerous in that it "causes" accidents, but when an accident occurs and higher velocity is involved, that means more kinetic energy is to be dissipated, and with all that energy in play, the results may be more dire?
I'd also like to see more variables factored out of the data. I'd like to know about someone (like me) who observes other safety rules like seatbelts, proper lane discipline including signaling, safe following distances, etc.
- nitrogen 16y agoThe theory is that forcing people to pay attention, well, makes them pay more attention. It seems to me that faster speeds may also force people to pay more attention, as each driving decision occurs in a shorter timespan. As for urban/suburban speeding, the risk factors (pedestrians, children, intersections) are completely different, and increased speeds would clearly increase risk, as well as slow overall traffic flow as fewer cars could successfully turn onto fast-moving streets.