Comments about ‘Finding natural speed limits’

Yet another common sense editorial from the Deseret News. All too rare in the world of journalism.

I've driven the lonely, sage brush laden stretch between Provo and Cedar City more times than I'd like to count. Imagine my excitement at seeing 80 mph signs as I counted roadkill rabbits! It's nice to see the results from the 80 mph speed limit test. This editorial helped inform me as a reader and citizen. Looks like journalism was effective. Thanks.

There is nothing Common Sense with the D-News!

Many speed limits seem to be more about revenue enhacement than about safety. Another big factor in the declining highway mortality figures is that, owing to government regultions, toda's cars are much safer. See, government isn't always the problem.

Accidents aren't the only issue with speeding. Turns out driving at high rates of speed consumes a lot more fuel than driving at lower speeds. That's a good reason by itself to keep the speed limit down.

The statement "Uninformed voices will cry, "Speed kills." is actually false. Speed does kill and it is simple physics. Speed=Velocity and one half velocity times mass squared equals kinetic energy (this is simplified). As kinetic energy increases so does your chance of death. It is no different that hitting a brick wall at five mile and hour or one hundred mile per hours. The speed is why you die. The decrease is death rates is due to safer cars no our ability to believe that we have cheated physics.

Did anybody consider how the higher speed affects the miles per gallon? If it wastes energy, that's a disadvantage.

The only change I think needs to be made is giving semis a slower speed limit (like they have in many states). I know that a few companies restrict limits for their own trucks, but it is frightening and concerning to be traveling between 75 and 80 and have an 18-wheel rig blow by.

Gotta love this! Next, maybe the powers-that-be will allow Utahns to act as adults in other ways. For example, what Utahns can put into their own bodies should not be the government's business. Thanks! (... okay all ye hypocrites ... your turn!).

Agreed.

RB, Engineer

Higher speed also gives you less time to react within a given distance.

Re:Killjoys;Did any of you whining people ever have any enjoyment over anything, besides complaining?
A study was done, reason prevailed, get over it!
Thank Heavens, people are not allowed to live too long. What would you be like at 200 years old and grumpy?

The "natural speed" on the German Autobaun depends on what kind of car you have, and they have some nice ones. At 80+ mph the injury rate is reduced, because instead of an injury the crash is usually fatal. If a large truck is involved it is generally a disaster for any cars in the vicinity.

If your going 75mph or 80mph into a wall... your still going to die... Thanks for the lesson!

I checked there were no brick walls in the middle of I-15.

Journalism is still alive- at least with this piece. Factual, well reasoned, and informative.

Thanks!

Thanks also to UDOT for allowing common sense to prevail over the fraidy cats who probably don't drive there anyway. And, ignoring enviro crowd who whine about how much other people are willing to spend for gas as a trade off between $$ for lesser gas mileage in return for time not spent creeping along. If you want better gas mileage, that's great, just don't force it on me!

Speed doesn't kill you or anyone else, any more than guns do. High speed may consume more fuel, but it should be my choice to pay for the fuel I consume. What really kills is stupid people. People who are unsafe, reckless, distracted, unskilled enough to handle their vehicle all should not drive at high speed. They probably also shouldn't have guns.

People kill people. Not speed, not cars, not guns. I guess steeper penalties for those at fault in an accident or traffic deaths would be necessary. Life in prison maybe for vehicular homicide if recklessness or carelessness can be shown as the cause.

Reduce the rules, allow for wisdom to prevail. Speed doesn't kill. Liberals kill (death to individual rights, innovation, motivation, and morals). Real friends don't let friends drive liberals.

Amazing how many people still keep arguing about the "speed kills" in the face of statistics, over years, that fewer and fewer people are dying on the freeways, even as speed limits have gone up and traffic load has increased.

Let's keep our eye on the ball: drowsy driving and impaired driving (DUI).

Highway safety engineers have learned that most people make good choices. The smart thing is to use a statistical model where 80% of your traffic is less than the speed and twenty over. Using this idea cuts revenues.