SLOWING THE SPEEDY

This short letter refutes the allegation that the way to reduce fatal traffic accidents is to vigorously enforce the current 70 mile per hour speed limit. It is suggested that one reason why as many as 40% of drivers ignore the speed limit is because it is safe to travel at higher speeds. A more pragmatic solution is suggested: a) raising the motorway speed limit to 84 miles per hour while vigorously enforcing urban speed limits near motorway exits and during bad weather; and b) improving the motorway network to prevent people speeding on dual carriageways.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00071447
• Corporate Authors:

  British Medical Association

  BMA House, Tavistock Square
  London WC1H 9JR,   United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • McGregor, M S
• Publication Date: 1988-12-17

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 1609-10
• Serial:
  • BMJ
  • Volume: 297
  • Issue Number: 6663
  • Publisher: British Medical Association
  • ISSN: 0959-8138
  • Serial URL: http://www.bmj.com/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash rates; Fatalities; Freeways; Law enforcement; Speed limits
• Uncontrolled Terms: Decreases
• ITRD Terms: 1612: Accident rate; 8018: Canada; 9009: Decrease; 1534: Enforcement (law); 1602: Fatality; 2752: Motorway; 1665: Safety; 624: Speed limit; 8119: United Kingdom; 8122: USA
• Subject Areas: Highways; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00487064
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 30 1989 12:00AM