Comments on: 75 MPH? Must be a school zone! http://blogs.reuters.com/oddly-enough/2008/04/10/75-mph-must-be-a-school-zone/ News, but not the serious kind Fri, 4 Jul 2008 06:48:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Kevin http://blogs.reuters.com/oddly-enough/2008/04/10/75-mph-must-be-a-school-zone/#comment-346087 Kevin Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:28:02 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/oddly-enough/2008/04/10/75-mph-must-be-a-school-zone/#comment-346087 After being there for a few months let me tell you that Germany has way fewer accidents than anywhere in North America - but they can do this by having: -Intensive (and expensive) driver training including first aid -Very disciplined drivers who follow the rules (if you see a bad driver then it's probably a foreigner like me) -Roads are in tip top condition -Cars are (mostly) in the best condition -Transport trucks and trailers are limited to 80/90/100 km/h (60mph?) -Traffic monitoring is tied into GPS units which is standard in more vehicles than in North America. The route can be modified by the monitoring station to better control flow of traffic -There is no speed limit on longer stretches of highways but there are speed limits on curves and around cities. The traffic control station can also change the speed limits of sections of the highway via electronic sign. -Residential zones are limited to 20mph... a great idea to protect children! I would be driving along at 130 and I would still be passed by someone (must have been going 200mph!) North America is almost ready for higher speed limits but it must be done in a way that minimize traffic deaths. Modern vehicles are so capable and safe now that it makes highly restrictive speed limits redundant. Raising speed limits is about our personal freedoms and responsibilities. If we are a nation of children that need to be protected then leave these alone. If we are a nation of adults then we must take our responsibilities back! After being there for a few months let me tell you that Germany has way fewer accidents than anywhere in North America - but they can do this by having:

-Intensive (and expensive) driver training including first aid
-Very disciplined drivers who follow the rules (if you see a bad driver then it’s probably a foreigner like me)
-Roads are in tip top condition
-Cars are (mostly) in the best condition
-Transport trucks and trailers are limited to 80/90/100 km/h (60mph?)
-Traffic monitoring is tied into GPS units which is standard in more vehicles than in North America. The route can be modified by the monitoring station to better control flow of traffic
-There is no speed limit on longer stretches of highways but there are speed limits on curves and around cities. The traffic control station can also change the speed limits of sections of the highway via electronic sign.
-Residential zones are limited to 20mph… a great idea to protect children!

I would be driving along at 130 and I would still be passed by someone (must have been going 200mph!)

North America is almost ready for higher speed limits
but it must be done in a way that minimize traffic deaths. Modern vehicles are so capable and safe now that it makes highly restrictive speed limits redundant.

Raising speed limits is about our personal freedoms and responsibilities. If we are a nation of children that need to be protected then leave these alone. If we are a nation of adults then we must take our responsibilities back!

]]> By: Igor http://blogs.reuters.com/oddly-enough/2008/04/10/75-mph-must-be-a-school-zone/#comment-346080 Igor Fri, 11 Apr 2008 02:04:19 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/oddly-enough/2008/04/10/75-mph-must-be-a-school-zone/#comment-346080 the only reason that USA has speed limits is not for safety but fuel economy. when the limits where introduced (1970's) *not 100% shure on when *1960's?, piston engines had the best MPG at 55 mph and diesel was at 50... lets NOT ask or think, who has more accidents per person -Germany or USA? the only reason that USA has speed limits is not for safety but fuel economy. when the limits where introduced (1970’s) *not 100% shure on when *1960’s?, piston engines had the best MPG at 55 mph and diesel was at 50…

lets NOT ask or think, who has more accidents per person -Germany or USA?

]]> By: John C Abell http://blogs.reuters.com/oddly-enough/2008/04/10/75-mph-must-be-a-school-zone/#comment-346077 John C Abell Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:23:22 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/oddly-enough/2008/04/10/75-mph-must-be-a-school-zone/#comment-346077 Next they'll be banning guns in church. Next they’ll be banning guns in church.

]]> By: K http://blogs.reuters.com/oddly-enough/2008/04/10/75-mph-must-be-a-school-zone/#comment-346071 K Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:55:10 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/oddly-enough/2008/04/10/75-mph-must-be-a-school-zone/#comment-346071 That's nothing...you should see me drive down these backroads. That’s nothing…you should see me drive down these backroads.

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