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Re: Question for Speeders
In article <3pu04u$6p1@news.duke.edu>,
Scott Nguyen <yhn1@acpub.duke.edu> wrote:
>his/her car within 15 miles of the speed limit. I hear that speed
>enforcement is a joke in USA, i.e.-they ticket when they feel like it..
You are not the only one who thinks that. Here is a Press Release
from the National Motorists Association:
National Motorists Association
6678 Pertzborn Road, Dane, Wisconsin 53529 608/849-6000
For Immediate Release Media Contact:
June 1, 1995 James J. Baxter
President
608/849-6000
Federal Study Finds Speed Limits Irrelevant
Dane, WI -
"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." James J.
Baxter, President of the National Motorists Association, made
that claim in a letter to members of Congress who are
deliberating on repeal of the 55 mph National Maximum Speed
Limit.
Mr. Baxter claims that the study, the most comprehensive
study done on speed limits in over 30 years, clearly proves that
speed limits, as employed in the United States, have virtually no
influence on driver behavior. "Raise the limit, lower the limit,
or remove the signs altogether, and traffic speeds do not
materially change. Furthermore, raising or lowering speed limits
has no meaningful influence on traffic safety."
The study, conducted under the supervision of the Federal
Highway Administration, monitored and measured driver response to
speed limit manipulations at 247 locations around the United
States. Accident frequency was monitored at the same time.
"These were not abstract computer simulations or esoteric
mathematical exercises; these were first-hand, on-the-ground,
cause and effect comparisons."
"We were not surprised by the finding that most speed limits
are grossly underposted in relation to existing vehicle speeds
and roadway design capabilities. Underposting by 10-15 mph is
the rule rather than the exception," said the NMA's President.
"This research effort was completed two years ago, submitted
for rigorous peer review, and sent off to the Transportation
Research Board to be forgotten and ignored. These were not the
kinds of results that the safety establishment, insurance
industry, or enforcement agencies wanted publicized. They fly in
the face of 40 years of 'speed kills' propaganda and call serious
question to traffic enforcement priorities. Millions of
motorists, every year, suffer financial losses, totaling
billions of dollars, as a result of unwarranted tickets and
wasted time related to irrationally underposted speed limits.
This study proves that point. Small wonder they tried to bury
it."
***END***
The National Motorists Association (NMA) was established in 1982
to represent the interests and rights of American motorists. It
operates at the national level and through a system of state chapters.
The NMA is solely supported through the contributions of individuals,
families, and small businesses. For general information, call
608/849-6000; for membership information, call 1-800-882-2785.
--
Lothar Dahlmeyer ldahlmey@aoc.nrao.edu
Notorius Radium Astrology Obscuratory http://info.aoc.nrao.edu/
My being paranoid doesn't prove they're not after me!
References: