I've always believed lack of lane discipline and speed differential are the main detriments. *NM*

[jalopnik.com]

I am not sure I totally agree with that study, but one thing that a number of studies have shown is that speed limits have very little effect on accidents and fatalities. There has been some research on the period when Montana had no numerical speed limit but rather a requirement that a motorist drive at a "Safe and Prudent Speed" - which was largely up to officer discretion. Hence, most officers wouldn't pull you over for doing 90 on a clear road on a clear day, but would give you a ticket for going 55 on a crowded snowy highway. Interestingly, when Montana caved to federal pressure and re-enacted a 75 MPH speed limit, accidents and fatalities went up dramatically. It makes sense, since in VA and MD you get a big ticket for doing 80 on a clear, deserted road but you can weave in and out of traffic on I-95 in the rain and snow at 65MPH and the police don't care at all.

1998 986 Turbo-Look Cab
172,000 Miles
Dilithium Crystal Supercharger

consider that if all vehicles were moving at the exact same speed in the same direction, then never could they encounter one another in a collision. However, a single vehicle doing 40 mph in traffic that is flowing at 65 mph is an accident waiting to happen. The 25mph speed differential makes the slower car seem to be stopped, as many of us probably know from personal experience. Those of us who remember the national 55mph speed limit can certainly understand what this study is saying. I can recall thinking in those days that I could get out and run alongside my car at those lethargic speeds, and being bored to death while driving. Obviously, driving too fast for the conditions is not what I am suggesting, but setting speed limits that make sense for the terrain, road quality and prevailing conditions. Until then, I will use my Escort and Trapster on my cell phone to thwart the revenuers!

If you look at the names used in the "study", they are a mixture of the Top Gear trio's first and last names. Pretty good joke from those guys yet again!

Steve
Guards Red 1999
I'm not a race car driver, but I play one in 2nd and 3rd gear