Problems of the United States Speed Limit System

Driving down the road, just relaxing as the sound of rubber against concrete eases the mind, a speeding driver loses control of his vehicle and kills the relaxed driver on the other side of the road. The current speed limit policy does not have the greatest impact a policy can have to protect drivers and civilians. The current statistics, studies of anarchy on the road, and proven methods of fatality show that the United States speed limit policy needs reconstruction.

The facts and statistics involved with speeding speak for themselves. People who drive at least 15 miles over the speed limit have a 60% higher chance of an accident than law-abiding drivers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that in 2005, speeding killed more than 1000 people every month. Speeding affects not only drivers but even civilians, as eight people in Maryland died when a 20-year old, who allegedly was racing, slammed into a crowd (Matthews). What would happen if speed limits on the road didn’t exist?

Interstate anarchy actually does exist, in the form of a non-existent speed limit on the German Autobahn and basically in Montana. On the German Autobahn, the average speed for cars equals about 80 mph, still having decreased accidents compared to the United States (Clash). Montana, the only state in the Union without a speed limit, just requires a “reasonable and prudent” highway speed. Studies show the top speed most drivers feel comfortable with averages around 75 mph (Sullivan). Even Montana’s Department of Transportation concedes that average speeds and fatalities on the state’s highways have barely changed since the limit was repealed (Sullivan). These studies basically have shown that the policies we have about speeding in the United States equal about that of speed limit anarchy and our policies even make fatalities higher.

New technology and even older conceptions can greatly improve the speed limit policies in place today. Across the country, speed cameras have increased in popularity by deterring speeding through intersections. Georgia has a law that automatically revokes a driver’s license when caught speeding 25 mph over or more, which gets the credit for a 42% drop in fatal accidents (Matthews). More law enforcement doesn’t have to make all the changes, as the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) encourages racers to trade the streets for a drag strip with its Street Legal Drags campaign (Matthews). This campaign gives drivers the opportunity to speed legally and safely, on a raceway, and they currently have 120 tracks available to United States citizens. Eric Lotz, NHRA’s director of field marketing explains, “Safety is the key. All cars are inspected before racing, the strip has guard walls, and emergency crews are always present. Most people who race on a drag strip in a street legal car would never go back and race on the street.”

To many lives are lost with today’s policies and regulations dealing with the speed limit. Many policies and ideas out there today can quickly benefit the potential lives at risk, both short and long term. The current statistics, studies of anarchy on the road, and proven methods of fatality show that the United States speed limit policies need reconstruction. The United States must analyze the current speed limit accident facts and make changes accordingly.

Working Bibliography

Matthews. Science 2781705.. <http://web.ebscohost.com>.

Sullivan.   Science News 146122. <http://web.ebscohost.com>.

Clash. Science News 12287. Web. <http://web.ebscohost.com>.