I don’t disagree with the idea that if you’re going to get into a crash, that a slower-speed crash is usually less risky. Where I disagree is that we can stop at basic physics and ignore so many other factors. A focus on physics is kind of like the “but if it saves one life” argument, which is fallacious because it’s contemptuous of all other views.
It is not simply the case that anti-speed crusades result in safer roads. The USA’s 55 mph experiment a was a failure in that regard, and Vision Zero campaigns aren’t delivering on promises.
We really need to focus on crash elimination, which is not a hyper focus on speed. Crashes that don’t happen can’t injure or kill.
My main point was that we shouldn't tell people to drive faster. Every time an argument like this comes up, people on the internet start arguing that slow drivers are causing accidents. Open a random Reddit thread and it's full of people bashing slow drivers.
But I really doubt that slow drivers are inherently dangerous. Especially since a lot of road users are slow and can't drive fast (big trucks, tractors, mopeds, bicycles, RVs, cars with trailers, etc). So the focus must be on making sure that drivers are attentive and have good visibility, not telling slow drivers to step on the gas.
Slow drivers do increase crash risk if their slowness is done irresponsibly, which many of us see all too often. We all need to be courteous to each other, and driving slowly does not absolve one of that.
Sometimes, the right thing is for slow drivers to speed up and go with the flow.
Correct, and we’re missing these bad drivers since the basis of nearly every last traffic stop (yes, I’ve studied the data from several angles) is “speeding”. The further you lower limits, the more who are “speeding”.
It is not simply the case that anti-speed crusades result in safer roads. The USA’s 55 mph experiment a was a failure in that regard, and Vision Zero campaigns aren’t delivering on promises.
We really need to focus on crash elimination, which is not a hyper focus on speed. Crashes that don’t happen can’t injure or kill.