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I think the drivers who properly drive the stated speed limit when the speed limits are artificially low (many places in California bay area) while the rest of

I think the drivers who properly drive the stated speed limit when the speed limits are artificially low (many places in California bay area) while the rest of the traffic is moving faster are a much more significant danger than those who are "speeding" but driving the speed of traffic. Often the traffic is 20 mph over the speed limit. The reality of the situation is that drivers adapt their speeds to the safety of the roads. If it's a curving road with poor surface conditions with limited visibility people drive slower. If it's a perfectly flat, perfectly straight road people will drive quite fast, because it's safe to do so.

paulryanrogers 5y ago
Consider that bicyclists and pedestrians cannot match higher speeds. Some limits are designed to save their lives.
- mlindner 5y ago
  No one is riding bicycles or walking on the roads where speed cameras are. In the US speed cameras only get put on roads with high speed travel.
  - kderbe 5y ago
    There are mobile speed cameras installed near several schools in my US neighborhood.
  - fiddlerwoaroof 5y ago
    The DC area has speed cameras all over normal city streets
II2II 5y ago
Moving with the traffic is one factor. Another factor is the speed that the roads are designed to handle. While the former is probably the most significant factor when it comes to safety, there is little doubt in my mind that traffic fatalities would go down if everyone moved with the traffic at the speed limit. As for people adapting their speeds based upon what's safe and what's not, sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. The joke around here is that people forget how to drive during the first snowfall. Not forget how to drive in the snow. Forget how to drive altogether. Why? Because people aren't adapting their speed. Likewise, people often drive at high speeds on winding roads. People often drive with sole consideration to the road, without any consideration to what surrounds it (e.g. schools, hospitals, pedestrians, cyclists, lane ways, entrances to parking lots, etc.). Speed limits exist for a reason. Yes, sometimes bad decisions are made by stupid people when creating those speed limits. On the other hand, those stupid people probably know more about traffic safety than someone who thinks they have the right to endanger people by driving over the speed limit.

paulryanrogers 5y ago

Consider that bicyclists and pedestrians cannot match higher speeds. Some limits are designed to save their lives.

mlindner 5y ago
No one is riding bicycles or walking on the roads where speed cameras are. In the US speed cameras only get put on roads with high speed travel.
- kderbe 5y ago
  There are mobile speed cameras installed near several schools in my US neighborhood.
- fiddlerwoaroof 5y ago
  The DC area has speed cameras all over normal city streets

II2II 5y ago

Moving with the traffic is one factor. Another factor is the speed that the roads are designed to handle. While the former is probably the most significant factor when it comes to safety, there is little doubt in my mind that traffic fatalities would go down if everyone moved with the traffic at the speed limit. As for people adapting their speeds based upon what's safe and what's not, sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. The joke around here is that people forget how to drive during the first snowfall. Not forget how to drive in the snow. Forget how to drive altogether. Why? Because people aren't adapting their speed. Likewise, people often drive at high speeds on winding roads. People often drive with sole consideration to the road, without any consideration to what surrounds it (e.g. schools, hospitals, pedestrians, cyclists, lane ways, entrances to parking lots, etc.). Speed limits exist for a reason. Yes, sometimes bad decisions are made by stupid people when creating those speed limits. On the other hand, those stupid people probably know more about traffic safety than someone who thinks they have the right to endanger people by driving over the speed limit.