Speed Limits
 

What would happen if the speed limit of america was bumped up 25 mph just on the freeways / highways?

this can be a funny or serious post, i don't care.

Re: Speed Limits
 

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thum.../Car_Crash.jpg

Re: Speed Limits
 

[ QUOTE ]
What would happen if the speed limit of america was bumped up 25 mph just on the freeways / highways?


[/ QUOTE ]

freeway traffic would on average be 25 mph faster?

Re: Speed Limits
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What would happen if the speed limit of america was bumped up 25 mph just on the freeways / highways?


[/ QUOTE ]

freeway traffic would on average be 25 mph faster?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this is probably inaccurate.

Re: Speed Limits
 

Reminds me that tomorrow I will be driving through Germany [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]. Pure pleasure, free speed.

Re: Speed Limits
 

Well here in the UK we have 70MPH limits on our motorways, which means you can drive at 80 without much risk, and we don't have as many accidents as you would imagine.

Re: Speed Limits
 

By the way, the German (together with Sweden) highways have the best driving culture in Europe (I have never driven in the US). I think this is one of the reason why free speed does not result in too many accidents. I would never drive on a free speed road in i.e. Russia.

Re: Speed Limits
 

Two obvious consequences are

1. more accidents---it's simply a fact that the average motor speed will increase which will cause more dangerous situations.

2. fuel prices will increase---most automobiles have peak fuel efficiency between 55--65 mph and decrease in efficiency quite rapidly above that leading to more gas being consumed leading to an increase in prices. The rate at which we consume fuel will increase sharply possibly leading to

2a. increased competition for resources leading to war.
2b. increased funding for alternative fuel sources leading to a world-wide scientific revolution.

Re: Speed Limits
 

[ QUOTE ]
What would happen if the speed limit of america was bumped up 25 mph just on the freeways / highways?


[/ QUOTE ]

Demand for gas goes way up therefore the supply of gas dwindles therefore gas prices go way up therefore there is increased international friction over oil therefore world war 3 therefore the end of humanity.

This is an exageration, but I think there is some truth to this line of thinking.

Re: Speed Limits
 

It would still take you 2 hours to drive 25 miles in LA.