THE 55 MPH MYTH

This article which examines 1973-1974 travel and accident data notes that the error in crediting the speed reduction for the decrease in the death toll may damage the future highway safety program through a dampening effect on all the other highway safety efforts. County roads have high fatality rates although the speed limit has always been 50 mph. The gasoline shortage of 1974 was responsible for a decrease in rural driving and thus for a decrease in fatalities. On Washington State highways, the fatality rates have been historically high even though the speed limits were mostly below 70 mph. A concerted effort of law enforcement, highway design, driver education and safer automobiles will be required to achieve greater highway safety.

• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Traffic Engineers

  2029 K Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20006
• Authors:
  • Halpin, T
• Publication Date: 1976-12

Media Info

• Features: Tables;
• Pagination: 6 p.
• Serial:
  • Western
  • Volume: 30
  • Issue Number: 7
  • Publisher: Institute of Traffic Engineers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Driver training; Energy resources; Fatalities; Highway design; Highway safety; Speed limits; Traffic law enforcement; Vehicle safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Energy crisis
• Old TRIS Terms: Vehicular safety
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00156180
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 16 1978 12:00AM