LE ET LA SAFE SPEED

Negative aspects of speeding are discussed by an alleged collector of many speeding citations in Paris. Primary disadvantages of excessive speed involve citation expenses, accidents and lost lives, and depletion of a country's oil supply. Attention is paid to the theory behind speed limits, i.e., the posted limit designed as the law for optimum conditions, and to minimum speed requirements. The speeding issue is examined from a personal perspective, in terms of driver reaction time and the automobile; slower speeds give a person much more time to react and more space in which to react. The two-second rule requiring a following distance of over 200 feet is noted, and reduced gasoline consumption at fifty-five miles per hour is pointed out. It is concluded that a safe speed is that which allows the individual to maintain complete control of the car, given road conditions, and which permits a safety margin if the road surface changes. A separate note, "Le Conditional Speeding," defines road conditions which govern vehicle speed; these include not only the weather but condition of the vehicle and driver.

• Corporate Authors:

  US Air Force Inspection and Safety, Center

  Norton AFB, CA  United States  92409
• Publication Date: 1980-5

Media Info

• Pagination: 6 p.
• Serial:
  • Driver
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue Number: 12
  • Publisher: US Air Force Inspection and Safety, Center

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Drivers; Following distance; Fuel consumption; Reaction time; Speed limits; Speeding
• Uncontrolled Terms: Driver reaction
• Old TRIS Terms: Following distance (Of vehicles)
• Subject Areas: Energy; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00386656
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-029 211
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 28 1984 12:00AM