Ward, please explain the significantly lower deaths per capita in Germany then. In Germany, driver education is significantly more involved than here in the states (and much more costly and the cost is bore by the person seeking a license). Generally, although there are stretches of unlimited speed zones on the Autobahn, the majority of traffic flows at a fairly fast 80-85mph. The Semis drive at about 50mph (you will NEVER see a semi driver doing 80 with the cars, they will yank their license in a MINUTE!), and people will only use the left lane for passing. Despite the majority of the traffic flowing at 85, it is generally very safe for a driver to pass traffic at 120-140mph with very little concern for saftey. Why? Because drivers there take driving seriously! They check their mirrors (yes, they actually use them!) religously BEFORE pulling into the passing lane, and generally only stay in the passing lane as long as is needed to pass someone. People do not tailgate, and people ALWAYS signal. So, here, you have people with significant variations in speed using the same highway with very good results, and much lower death and accident rates. NO, it is not speed. I can hit a deer just as easily at 40 mph on the way home, as I can at 65. Yes, I must react faster, and if the reaction time and distance are too short, then I will have an accident, but then, that is due to my poor judgement (perhaps I should not have been driving at 65 on a dark country road in the first place), not the speed. Yes, it is a factor, but not the CAUSE. That is where the "speed kills" argument is flawed, since speed is not the cause of the accident, but poor skills and judgement.
