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[entremet]

When Lieutenant Gary Megge of the Michigan State Police attends a meeting, he sometimes asks, ”How many of you broke the speed limit on your way here?"

Hearing his question, you might assume that Lt. Megge is a particularly zealous police officer. The type of person who walks half a city block to avoid jaywalking on an empty street. The model citizen who defers almost obnoxiously to the letter of the law. But that is not the point of Lt. Megge's question at all.

”We all speed, yet months and months usually pass between us seeing a crash," Lt. Megge tells us when we call to discuss speed limits. ”That tells me that most of us are adequate, safe, reasonable drivers. Speeding and traffic safety have a small correlation."

Over the past 12 years, Lt. Megge has increased the speed limit on nearly 400 of Michigan's roadways. Each time, he or one of his officers hears from community groups who complain that people already drive too fast. But as Megge and his colleagues explain, their intent is not to reduce congestion, bow to the reality that everyone drives too fast, or even strike a balance between safety concerns and drivers' desire to arrive at their destinations faster. Quite the opposite, Lt. Megge advocates for raising speed limits because he believes it makes roads safer.

One reason is that a minority of drivers do follow the speed limit. ”I've found that about 10% of drivers truly identify the speed limit sign and drive at or near that limit," says Megge. Since these are the slowest share of drivers, they don't affect the 85th percentile speed. But they do impact the average speed -- by about 2 or 3 mph when a speed limit is changed, in Lt. Megge's experience -- and, more importantly, the variance in driving speeds.

This is important because, as noted in a U.S. Department of Transportation report, ”the potential for being involved in an accident is highest when traveling at speed much lower or much higher than the majority of motorists." If every car sets its cruise control at the same speed, the odds of a fender bender happening is low. But when some cars drive 55 mph and others drive 85 mph, the odds of cars colliding increases dramatically. This is why getting slow drivers to stick to the right lane is so important to roadway safety; we generally focus on joyriders' ability to cause accidents -- and rightly so -- but a car driving under the speed limit in the left (passing) lane of a highway is almost as dangerous.

Traffic engineers believe that the 85th percentile speed is the ideal speed limit because it leads to the least variability between driving speeds and therefore safer roads. When the speed limit is correctly set at the 85th percentile speed, the minority of drivers that do conscientiously follow speed limits are no longer driving much slower than the speed of traffic. The choice of the 85th percentile speed is a data-driven conclusion -- as noted Lt. Megge and speed limit resources like the Michigan State Police's guide -- that has been established by the consistent findings of years of traffic studies.

More at the link. Pretty fascinating stuff. I've always though US speed limits were way too low.

https://priceonomics.com/is-every-speed-limit-too-low/

 

[Chuckie]

What are the speedlimits in the US? For instance on a high way?

 

[DontBeThatGuy]

Let me say this before reading the article.

YES.

 

[gamz]

I've never had a problem with speed limits. I'm in no rush.

 

[Fallout-NL]

This is why getting slow drivers to stick to the right lane is so important to roadway safety

Hallelujah.

 

[J-Roderton]

In VA they are.

 

[jackdoe]

I've always thought speed limits were based off of mathematical calculations for speeds where car crashes won't be fatal. I.e. you won't kill a pedestrian if you were to hit them or you won't fly off a bridge if you hit the railing.

 

[entremet]

What are the speedlimits in the US? For instance on a high way?

65 mph (105 km/h) is the most common I see.

 

[winjet81]

No surprise.

The biggest dangers on the highways are people who lock themselves in the passing lane without passing anyone.

 

[Xe4]

Strictly speaking safety wise, most are too high. There are a few that are purposefully made to get you to speed for tickets, but most are there to keep you alive. There's a tricky balance that needs to be made in terms of having the speeds be fast enough for ideal travel, and keeping as many people living as possible.

People speed because they like to speed. Because they get where they want to faster, and don't see the harm in it. I'm certainly guilty of this, though I know speeding is a danger to myself and those around me, and usually am going slower than traffic, I am usually moving at least 10 miles per hour over the speed limit.

No surprise.

The biggest dangers on the highways are people who lock themselves in the passing lane without passing anyone.

The biggest danger, objectively, on the highway (ignoring DUI's, texting, etc) is people who speed voraciously (20 mph+ over). That's not to downplay people going slow in the left lane, they absolutely should be to the right, but their slower speed makes any accidents they do have less deadly.

 

[WickedCobra03]

Not even too slow, I want to understand the science and the parameters for determining a speed limit in an area. *Cough* I think they are BS and want to hold those people accountable. Accountable for what? Marking a slightly curvy back road that previously had a speed limit of 45 is now 25 with no history of accidents as I have seen, driving it frequently in the past.

I want to hold people accountable for their bad decisions and make them explain exactly why that decision was made. Especially when making a decision that effects so many people for such a long time.

 

[Tenck]

What are the speedlimits in the US? For instance on a high way?

Depends on the highway. I've seen 55mph to 65mph. I'm almost positive I've seen a 70mph but never higher.

 

[Daedardus]

I've always thought speed limits were based off of mathematical calculations for speeds where car crashes won't be fatal. I.e. you won't kill a pedestrian if you were to hit them or you won't fly off a bridge if you hit the railing.

They are also based on braking distance and such. If something would jump in front of you in a residential area you would have time to brake. That's why near school there's usually a 30 km/h limit in many European countries.

 

[SoRuffShoNuff]

Yes, and they need to do something about counties playing the speed trap game by drastically reducing the speed limit for no reason other than to collect revenue.

 

[Chuckie]

65 mph (105 km/h) is the most common I see.

That seems pretty low. Especially considering a 'tiny' crowded country like Holland has 120/130 as the most common.

 

[entremet]

That seems pretty low. Especially considering a 'tiny' crowded country like Holland has 120/130 as the most common.

It is low, especially on highway. I've never known anyone who drove 65mph on a highway that is rather spacious. Rush hour, sure? But on a weekend road trip? Nah.

 

[Tenck]

If you want faster you stick to the left side. Plus I hardly see people doing 65mph anyways. It's always around 70-80mph.

 

[Chairmanchuck]

From Germany, so the 120/130 and free highways dont faze me. But when I was in China it was strange that most highways have a speedlimit of 100km/h and even if its 120 km/h most drivers drive 90.

When its 80 or 90 though, they drive 120...

 

[entremet]

If you want faster you stick to the left side. Plus I hardly see people doing 65mph anyways. It's always around 70-80mph.

Well that's the point. People going slower making it more dangerous on a macro level since not all the slow folks stick to the right.

 

[Acerac]

If the goal was to get everyone where they were supposed to go in an efficient manner, yes.

 

[Paertan]

Wow thought it was higher on those long ass straight desert roads. We have 75 in Sweden on roads that are not exactly straight. No oncoming traffic though.
But no I generally don't think speed limits are too low.

 

[Stallion Dan]

People drive over the limit so raise it?

Wtf... They're just gonna drive over the new limit instead.

 

[Chairmanchuck]

People drive over the limit so raise it?

Wtf... They're just gonna drive over the new limit instead.

Just follow the german example. Make the most important roads free without any limit. If I wanna drive to the netherlands from here, I can choose to drive slow on the right lane, 120-140 in the middle one and around 200km/h if I want on the fast lane.

 

[StayDead]

People drive over the limit so raise it?

Wtf... They're just gonna drive over the new limit instead.

That's the thing, I think they set the current limits low everywhere (well at least in the UK and US) because they know people will go over. At least this way they know what max speed people will probably be driving. Most people don't go over 20-30mph over the limit thinking that's fine.

The best system is the German system though imo.

 

[SummitAve]

I thought so before cell phones. Now it's difficult to trust most drivers.

 

[Couleurs]

Wow thought it was higher on those long ass straight desert roads. We have 75 in Sweden on roads that are not exactly straight. No oncoming traffic though.
But no I generally don't think speed limits are too low.

Interstates in the western states often have 70-75-80 speed limits. There are a couple of 85s sprinkled in also (Utah, Texas, maybe a few other places)

 

[Charles Brandon]

In the UK the limits are (in MPH)

20 or 30 in built up areas (20 becoming more common now)
40-50 on urban highways
60 is the national speed limit on non-urban roads
70 is the limit on motorways

I think 20 mph is about right in residential areas but 70 is way too low on the motorway. The unofficial limit is 80 anyway in that the cops won't usually pull you if you're within that. I think that should be the official limit with a tolerance up to 85.

for the record I never break the limit intentionally in the city but I always break it if I get the chance on the motorway.

 

[CSJ]

When people say yes, as I would love to; they're doing it for themselves.
However, as many of you experience driving day to day you can't trust many other drivers.

 

[entremet]

When people say yes, as I would love to; they're doing it for themselves.
However, as many of you experience driving day to day you can't trust many other drivers.

Don't worry. The autonomous vehicle future is coming soon.

 

[Robin64]

20 in the UK is too low, it's actually difficult to go that slow and you just end up watching your needle on the dashboard more than you are watching the road.

 

[Pankratous]

In the UK I generally think that almost every road could stand to go up 10MPH.

30s should be 40s, 40s should be 50s, and so on. The new national limit for motorways should be 80.

Country roads should be re-evaluated entirely instead of being a blanket 60, and small residential streets should remain 20.

 

[Auctopus]

National Speed-Limit is a funny thing in Britain. Have fun going 60 down here...

 

[Relix]

Oh God yes they are way too slow. 70 on the highway? Come the fuck on. 85 should be the minimum speed there.

 

[ascii42]

I have a 1976 Oldsmobile aircraft carrier. I think the speed limits were designed with the handling characteristics of that kind of car in mind or something.

 

[DontBeThatGuy]

When people say yes, as I would love to; they're doing it for themselves.
However, as many of you experience driving day to day you can't trust many other drivers.

Strange, considering the argument put forth in the OP for raising the speed limits is to increase road safety.

 

[Crispy75]

In the UK I generally think that almost every road could stand to go up 10MPH.

30s should be 40s, 40s should be 50s, and so on. The new national limit for motorways should be 80.

Country roads should be re-evaluated entirely instead of being a blanket 60, and small residential streets should remain 20.

I agree on Motorways and dual carriageway A-roads; those limits were set when braking technology was considerably worse than it is today. But the limits on urban roads are there to protect pedestrians in the event of a collion you can't see coming. If anything they should be reduced. 40 can kill, but 20 will just push you over.

 

[JertSim]

Most people for the city I work for complain about people speeding and just want more signs put up which just causes more distrations. They should just have the pd run more speed traps if theyre really that worried about speeders.

 

[Sulik2]

Everyone drives 70 to 80 on the expressways. Its the people going the speeds limits that cause slamming on breaks and the idiots swerving in traffic. This makes perfect sense. The problem is speed limits are used as revenue sources for the states, its not actually about road safety in most places.

 

[SoRuffShoNuff]

Most people for the city I work for complain about people speeding and just want more signs put up which just causes more distrations. They should just have the pd run more speed traps if theyre really that worried about speeders.

Yeah people driving at a comfortable speed and then slamming on the brakes when they see cops sounds safe.

 

[mhanna49]

I tend to drive the speed limit on the interstate which is usually 65 or 70 mph but I am in the right lane so people can pass me if they want to. The speed limit on the 2 lane highways around where I live is 55 mph. There are a ton of farmers driving their big pickup trucks or moms driving big SUVs that either drive 65+ mph and pass everyone dangerously or some will drive right on your ass for miles and not pass even if you are going 60+ mph.

I don't think the speed limit needs to be increased. I think people need to plan their trips better so they don't have to rush everywhere and not be assholes that think they own the road because the world revolves around them.

 

[D'ultimate]

It seems like people, especially those who are saying no, are not reading the article or at least the OP.

Yes, the speed limits are generally too low.

”We all speed, yet months and months usually pass between us seeing a crash," Lt. Megge tells us when we call to discuss speed limits. ”That tells me that most of us are adequate, safe, reasonable drivers. Speeding and traffic safety have a small correlation."

It's the variances in speed between drivers that's the problem. The solution is to have lanes that allow people to drive fast and make sure slow folks stay out of it.

 

[frankie_baby]

In the UK the limits are (in MPH)

20 or 30 in built up areas (20 becoming more common now)
40-50 on urban highways
60 is the national speed limit on non-urban roads
70 is the limit on motorways

I think 20 mph is about right in residential areas but 70 is way too low on the motorway. The unofficial limit is 80 anyway in that the cops won't usually pull you if you're within that. I think that should be the official limit with a tolerance up to 85.

for the record I never break the limit intentionally in the city but I always break it if I get the chance on the motorway.

70 on dual carriageways too not just motorways

 

[zoukka]

No all of you are bad drivers. Everyone thinks they're a Schumacher or something.

 

[frankie_baby]

National Speed-Limit is a funny thing in Britain. Have fun going 60 down here...

I've had friends killed because of roads like that

 

[whatsinaname]

Michigan is slowly moving towards 65/75 from 60/70 (trucks/cars). The changes go live for the northern areas this week I think. Lets see how that goes.

 

[Tugatrix]

been preaching this for years finally someone is looking into it

 

[QuicheFontaine]

In the UK the limits are (in MPH)

20 or 30 in built up areas (20 becoming more common now)
40-50 on urban highways
60 is the national speed limit on non-urban roads
70 is the limit on motorways

I think 20 mph is about right in residential areas but 70 is way too low on the motorway. The unofficial limit is 80 anyway in that the cops won't usually pull you if you're within that. I think that should be the official limit with a tolerance up to 85.

for the record I never break the limit intentionally in the city but I always break it if I get the chance on the motorway.

Literally everyone* speeds on the motorway. If you try going 70 you'll notice everyone else passing you.

*

Spoiler

With some exceptions

 

[Charles Brandon]

I agree on Motorways and dual carriageway A-roads; those limits were set when braking technology was considerably worse than it is today. But the limits on urban roads are there to protect pedestrians in the event of a collion you can't see coming. If anything they should be reduced. 40 can kill, but 20 will just push you over.

40 is a stupid speed for driving round narrow roads in congested British cities. You notice this when you become a parent. Every time I see a car hoon past my house it makes me think that if my youngest kid got away from me for a just a second, he'd be dead. He's not prone to running into the road but he does like running and hiding and he's only 4.

 

[TwntyOneTwlv]

Driving through rural America on a three-lane interstate, the limits I've seen are usually 70mph. But if you're not doing 80-85mph, you're not keeping up with traffic in those situations.

 

[jchap]

In VA they are.

Gotta keep them low so they can give out lots of reckless driving tickets