Whoosh! Woah there, did you see that? That car just went 70 on a 40! For some of you out there, that might not be so surprising. Come on, admit it — you’ve probably gone at least a few miles per hour over the speed limit once in your life, even if you’re the safest driver in the world. In fact, a study by Fred Mannering of Purdue University found that drivers drove an average of nearly 11 mph faster than the speed limit on interstates with a Limit of 55 mph, 9 mph faster than the speed limit on interstates with a 65 mph limit, and nearly 8 mph faster than the speed limit on interstates posted at 70 mph.

But Why?

Well, to explain this, allow me to introduce the Peltzman Effect. This is a theory which states that people are more likely to engage in risky behavior where there are security measures, including Speed Limit signs.

But even then, there are numerous other reasons why some want the speed limit to rise. Some say it can help reduce commute time going to and fro the job place and that, given the rise of new safety technology in cars and the inherent design of a large highway, safety won’t be compromised. So, let’s take a moment to fully grasp arguments coming from both sides.

Just Check This New Tech

Now, there is no denying that cars nowadays are coming with increasingly advanced safety features that can prevent accidents at high speeds. Lane departure warnings, forward collision warnings, and automatic emergency braking are just some examples of useful features that help drivers avoid accidents.

The Theory of Risk Compensation

Risk compensation is a theory that states that people typically adjust their behavior in response to perceived levels of risk. They become more careful where they sense greater risk and less careful if they feel protected. The logic, then, is that at higher speeds, people might feel less safe because they aren’t used to driving as fast. Thus, they pay extra attention to their surroundings, offsetting any safety concerns on the behalf of the driver.

Inherent Nature of Interstates

Proponents also point out that highways are specifically designed for higher speeds since they have fewer obstacles such as stop lights. Combine this with straighter roads, and you get a perfect formula for high-speed safety.

Time is Money

Time is precious. The average American spends about 250 hours/year, more than 10 days in transit every year. Luckily, faster speeds would allow drivers to reach their destinations quicker, reducing travel time and increasing productivity. By increasing the speed limits, they say, we can keep up with the modern pace of life.

The Nays:

Better Safe than Sorry

Now, opponents of higher speed limits warn of the dangers of driving at high speeds, whether it be on a local road or a highway. Speeding was a factor in 26% of all traffic fatalities in 2019, and increasing speeds just by a few mph lead to more severe accidents. With higher speeds, a driver’s reaction time is reduced, so they have less time to work with to avoid accidents. We might save a few minutes here or there, but if it’s at the cost of someone’s life, why take the risk? Why not be safe, rather than sorry?

Humans are imperfect

Driver error is another limiting factor. Even with advanced safety features, drivers can still make mistakes because well, they’re human after all. As mentioned earlier, driving at even incrementally high speeds increases not just the risk of accidents, but also the severity. A single mistake can have devastating consequences.

Traffic Here, Traffic There

Traffic volume is also a pivotal consideration when deciding on speed limits. In high-traffic interstates, increased speeds can lead to reduced efficiency and increased travel time. Congestion and frequent stops can negate any potential time savings from higher speeds. But, for less busy interstates that go through mostly rural or uninhabited areas, increasing the speed might make sense. There’s just nobody to crash into.

In the end, whether you’re a fast driver or a slow driver is based on your personal belief and personality. If you’re that daring, adventurous driver, a couple miles above the speed limit might be routine since you already drive that fast. But, if you’re a person who likes to keep extra safe and go exactly at or below the speed limit, increasing the limit might be something out of a nightmare for you. One thing is for sure: there are no easy, right answer. It depends on context. While there may be some benefits to higher speeds, the potential risks and negative impacts must also be considered. Perhaps a solution could be to have a more targeted, individualized approach to speed limits, with lower limits in areas where there’s lots of traffic and safety concerns, and higher limits in areas with a proven safety record and low traffic volume. Regardless, the top priority for you as the driver should always be to remain safe. So, whether we’re driving at 40 or 70, we should always be mindful of our surroundings, follow the rules of the road, and be responsible drivers in both cases.