Ward, I found this set of myths and facts published by a retired excutive from the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Myth : Highway Fatalities went up when the speed limit was raised to 65.
Reality : The total number of fatalities went up but not as much as the amount of miles traveled. So the Fatality Rate actually went down. The only real measure of fatalities should be the highway fatality rate expressed in deaths per 100 million miles traveled. For each mile you travel today on highways posted 65, you are safer than you were when the speed was at 55MPH.
Myth : It is more dangerous to drive on the freeway because of higher speeds.
Reality : Divided interstate highways are by far the safest road to drive. The fatality rate is two to three times lower than the rate for undivided highways. In fact, overall highway fatalities fall when you raise speed limits on the safe interstate roads because more motorists use those roads instead of the more dangerous secondary road system!
Myth : Drivers will automatically drive 10 to 15 MPH over the posted limit.
Reality : Most drivers will drive a safe comfortable speed for the conditions. The reason drivers drive 15 MPH over the limit today is because the limit is set way to low! In Montana where daytime speed limits were basically abolished, the average speed has increased ONLY 2MPH. A major federal study has shown drivers will drive a safe speed no matter what the speed limit.
Myth : Drivers with speeding tickets or who use Radar Detectors are more likely to be in an accident.
Reality : Drivers who use Radar Detectors are safer as a group than those that don't. Drivers with speeding tickets are no more likely to be in an accident than those with perfect records.
Myth : Speed Kills.
Reality : Poor road design, large speed differentials, asleep drivers, drunk driving, and poor driving skills kill. Setting speed limits to the 85th percentile proper road speed SAVES LIVES!
