80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%'
 

"Using the most widely accepted statistical model, drawn up by a Norwegian academic using data from 100 studies in more than a dozen countries, an increase in average traffic speeds of just 3mph – a typical change for a 10mph rise – would be expected to cause more than 25 extra deaths a year on motorways and more than 100 serious injuries."

Full story here courtesy of the Graduian.

Play nice.

Re: 80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%'
 

Yes l saw this a little earlier Mr A and l am coming at it from a passenger's point of view and l believe we should stay as we are regarding the motorway speed limit but what are your thoughts on this.

Re: 80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%'
 

Average traffic speeds through Birmingham have probably increased by 3 mph since the introduction of managed motorway technology. Have we seen an extra 25 deaths on this stretch?

The article is meaningless without more detail on the starting speed limit & new speed limit in each of the cases. Weather conditions can also have an effect, 50 can be too fast in a 70 area in poor conditions...

Re: 80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%'
 

I think the speed limit should rise to 80mph on motorways and large dual carriage ways, most people do 80 anyway already.

Re: 80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%'
 

IMHO the main problem is not the speed limit it's that too many drivers drive to (and well above) the limit rather than the conditions which is why we regulalry see carnage when there's fog, ice etc. Raising the maximum limit without doing something about this and the serious tailgating etc. we already see on our motorways would be very risky.

Re: 80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%'
 

But then if it goes up to 80mph then Drivers will still break the law as they gradually test out the tolerance zone and who's to say that they will not be doing 90mph then on the motorway.

Re: 80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%'
 

Speed limits don`t kill, It`s the stupid arses behind the wheel that cause the damage and mayhem.!:erm:

Re: 80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%'
 

Yes, the stupid arses who think it's quite OK to drive at 100mph 6 inches behind another vehicle 'safe' in the believe that they're all amateur Stigs and that their fancy ABS, ESP, TC etc. etc. etc. will protect them from any eventuality.....

Re: 80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%'
 

i supose it depends how many of these extra deaths would be pensioners or unemployed / disabled to see if it was finacialy a good move in the economic situation ;)

Re: 80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%'
 

Exactly!

Re: 80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%'
 

perhaps then, we should look at the quality and time we spend on learner drivers. perhaps if a law was brought in whereby a new driver cannot take any practical driving test within the first 40 hours of starting to drive. reduce the costs of the hourly rate as an across-the-board rule to ensure that the relative (i use the term loosely!) affordability of learning to drive is maintained. make the law for being allowed to drive more like the law for learning to fly, where one has to have a certain number of hours in control of a vehicle before one is allowed to 'go solo'. perhaps even introduce a 2 tier system for testing. the first test enables a driver on roads up to 40mph and the second, more advanced test 6 months after for roads up to motorway speeds and sizes.

as said, it's not the speed that is the problem. it's those who think they can either handle the speed, or are just idiots when behind the wheel. why punish everyone because of the few numpties out there and not even bother looking at the root causes?

Re: 80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%'
 

Personally I feel there needs to be better studies widespread generalisation like these models inacurate due to most death down to factors not black & white. More down to history of road, location tyoe traffic volume. Type accident ie cause and vehicles involved. Some parts of country motorway network could be safe to do so.

I would like to see programme to bring about reducing cars with less encap safety marks. All models tested marked with programme to reduce the weak off the road.

I drive car which is very poor encap showed may as well not drive with seatbelt got more chance survival if thrown from the vehicle. It literally folds in half servere head chest leg injuries which would likely result in death according to the tests. I would feel totally unsafe outside town.

Surely a car with 5 encap would cope with 80m but then that depends who hits you. It also depends on conditions whether 80m is safe.

I always felt road speed should be electronic adjust accordingly not just on motorways but all roads. That would reduce acidents more takes the guessing what safe but then it needs better weather localised forcasting.

I hate those studies all fits one shoe type affairs they too generalised dont go deep enough.

Re: 80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%'
 

I think you have hit the nail on the head. Many people don't drive to the road conditions at all. A prime example that we often see in winter is when we are driving at a safe distance, and at a safe speed for the visibility in foggy conditions. Then we are often overtaken by someone doing suicidal speeds, who can't possibly see far enough to cover braking distances.



One thing that I was thinking of only yesterday whilst driving down the A15, was the fact that HGV's have a speed limit of 40mph on single carriageways, although the speed limit for cars is 60mph. This leads to some car drivers often taking risks to overtake the HGV's. And as I witnessed several times yesterday, many tond take into account 1) the length of the vehicle they are overtaking, and therefore the time it tales to pass, 2) blind bends, 3) blind summits, 4) junctions. Quite often it is just pure luck that the overtakers don't cause a serious accident.

Now the question is, would it be safer to increase the HGV limit on these roads to 60mph, as this would probably mean less cars overtaking them?? Or would this be cancelled out by the fact that the HGV's are moving faster??

---------- Post added at 21:46 ---------- Previous post was at 21:42 ----------

Very good idea. Although limits would have to be enforced with variable speed cameras. As we have all seen on many occasions people ignoring reduced speed limits on motorway matrix.

---------- Post added at 21:52 ---------- Previous post was at 21:46 ----------

Some probably would. Although you ony have to drive down a motorway at 70mph to see how many people you are overtaking because they are doing 60mph. And how many overtake you doing at least 90mph already. I think those who ignore the speed limits probably don't worry too much about just how far over the limit they are going. The only real boundry for these people seems to be 100mph, because they know it is an automatic ban if they exceed it.

Re: 80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%'
 

What is it they say ?

Lies, damn lies & statistics .....

Someone somewhere will usually provide a "study" to prove pretty much anything you want.

Re: 80mph speed limit 'would increase deaths by 20%'
 

Very true, there is more than one side to every argument.

---------- Post added at 22:01 ---------- Previous post was at 21:57 ----------

Some Fire Services have started a scheme where they visit 15 to 18 year olds at schools and colleges. And through videos, lectures, and practical demonstrations, they hope to scare teenagers out of becoming boy (or girl) racers.