Documents of Interest

This page contains references and a few links to documents of interest to people who oppose the current speed limits. In the future for reference I may include articles that SUPPORT a lower speed limit but they will be clearly marked as such. If you know of any good articles to add to this please let me know at kevinatk@home.com. I will accept almost anything related that is not a usenet post. This includes local newspaper articles and the like. I am especially interested in positive articles in major newspapers on speeding and the national speed limit.

Actual Studies

"Effects of Raising and Lowering Speed Limits"
A federal study that found speed limits irrelevent. According to James J. Baxter "The federal government spent over half a million dollars and five years on an exhaustive study of speed limits, and then buried it. The study was buried because it didn't come up with the answers that the Washington establishment wanted."
(Report No. FHWA-RD-92-084, Oct 1992)

"Surprise, Surprise: Traffic engineers conduct a scientific study on speed limits and discover--my,my!--that they are being set unrealistically and intentionally low."
Study: Driver Speed Behavior on US Streets and Highways: by Samual C. Tignor, Ph D., and Davwy Warren
[Is this study related to NMA press relise "Federal Study Finds Speed Limit Irrelevent"]
(Car & Driver, May91, p87, 2p Study on Page 93, 1p)

"65 Saves Lives"(Trends: Washington Report)
A study done by AAA found that the 65 mph speed limit actually saves lives. Lave (the cordnater) found that there was a 3.5% drop in fatality rates for states that lowered their speed limit. He credits it to 3 things: (1) Drivers switching to higher speed limit roads which are better designed. (2) highway patroles shifting to activities that will more safely pay off, and (3) less speed variance amoung cars. It will me tough to attach his credibilty because he once studied the benefits of the 55 mph speed limit.
(Motor Trend, Fed93, p30, 1p)


Press Releases

"Federal Study Finds Speed Limit Irrelevant"
(NMA Press Release, June 1, 1995)

Avoiding the Speeding Tax / Radar

"Blind Trust: The Problems With Police Radar"
Publication of the Radio Association Defending Airwave Rights, Inc. (RADAR)

"Ten Best Tips for Fearless Flying"
Great, common-sense article...very practical
(Car & Driver, Jan90)


Opinion Based with some Facts and/or Points

"Driving in the USA"
Guest Editor by Dr. Bernhard Haisch

"Clocking the 55 mph Debate"
(Washington Times, June 7, 1995)

"Why Do We Still Have to Drive 55?"
(Washington Times, June 20, 1995)

"Free the speed slaves" (The Steering Column)
(Car & Driver, Nov93, Vol. 39 Issue 5, p9, 1p, 1c)

"Paying the Speeding Tax" (Right of Way)
(Motor Trend, April 1994, p8, 1p)

"The Apathy of The Motorized Majority"
(Car & Driver, Jun94, Bol. 40 Issue 1, p29, 1p, 1c)

"Auto Insurance: Figures Don't Lie, But Liars Figure"
(Car & Driver, Mar94, Vol. 39 Issue 9, p20, 2p, 1c)

"Looking For Running Room"
(Car & Driver, Sep93, Vol 39, Issue 3, p16, 1p, 1c)

"It's Time to Dump the 55, Or Take on Our National Speed Limit, Please"
(Road & Track, Nov 94, Vol. 46 Issue 3, p32, 3p, 1c)


Analysts of the Issue with No Real Conclusion

"Speeding: America's Favorite Crime"
(Courier-Journal[Louisville, Ky.], Jan 10, 1994, pH+)


Organizations

"Is the AAA on our Side Again?"
(Car & Driver, May93, Vol. 38 Issue 11, p25 1p 1c)

"$29 To Get Your Voice Back" [by joining the NMA]
(Car & Driver, Aug 93, Vol. 39 Issue 2, p 23, 1p 1c)


Factual Statistical Based (But doesn't have any real arguments)

"One of the Top 10 Ways to Toss Away Money: Speeding"
Gives Fines for all the States and a brief location of a few speed traps.
(Money, Jun94, Vol. 23 Issue 6, p14, 4p, 1 chart, 2c)

"Defend Your Right To Drive"
Survey on various traffic laws of the States and a few Providences
(Motor Trend, Jun88, p109 7p, 1c)


Proposals

"Let's Raise the Speed Limit to 100 mph" & "A Responsible 100-mph Speed Limit"
A proposal for a Super License that will allow qualified drivers to go 100mph.
(Car & Driver: Sep89, p8 and Oct89, p12)


Impractical Proposals but possible have a few Good Points

"Apoplexy On Demand"
Patrick Bedard gives the 10 reasons why the speed limit should be 100mph. He has a few good points but most of them are silly and/or impractical.
(Car & Driver, January, 1993, p20-21)