Atlanta Car Accident Attorneys Question Whether Higher Speed Limits Are Dangerous

Speed limits exist for a reason. They are not merely a suggestion but are designed to impose a limitation on how fast a driver can operate his or her motor vehicle taking into consideration the road conditions, traffic conditions, and the prevailing rate of travel of the other motorists on the road. However, speeding in combination with other factors creates a dangerous situation on the roads. If you or a loved one was injured in an auto accident with a speeding vehicle, you might be able to recover for damages associated with those injuries. At Montlick & Associates, we have high-trained, knowledgeable, and experienced speeding accident lawyers dedicated to maximizing our clients’ chances for financial compensation under the law.

The primary reason why speed limits were established was in response to a fuel shortage on a national level and not necessarily safety. Any experienced driver understands that the faster one drives, the more fuel the vehicle uses. Since Congress repealed the federal speed limit law and allowed states to dictate speed limits, speed limits have increased across the United States. Most notably, minimum speed limits were raised to 65 miles per hour or greater since the repeal of the national speed limit law. Many states impose a speed minimum as well, which is commonly 20 miles per hour slower than the maximum speed posted.

Since Congress established the universal speed limit law, posted speed limits have become to be synonymous with safe driving. A difference of opinion exists as to whether speed limits alone contribute to more highway deaths. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) claims that higher speed limits contribute to more deaths. The IIHS analyze data over a 20-year stretch of time. According to IIHS studies, whatever gains were made by saving lives through airbag deployment were lost due to states permitting traffic to travel faster over the past twenty years. Other studies claimed the opposite a decade prior. A 2005 study determined that merely an increase in speed limits does not have any effect on the prevalence of fatality rates. Rather, that study suggested speed in combination with other factors like drunk driving contributes to fatal crashes with greater frequency.

An engineer who studies traffic patterns concurs with the 2005 study, at least in principle. This engineer, who designs highways for the state of Minnesota, concluded that speed is a factor in many car crashes but has little or nothing to do with a posted speed limit. Safety on the roads, according to this engineer, is directly related to predictability of other drivers. She cited examples such as the motor vehicle operator who is weaving in and out of cars or the driver who is driving slowly in the left lane as more likely to cause car crashes than those who simply exceed the speed limit. The examples given make those drivers more dangerous because their speed in relation to the motorists around them creates a hazardous situation.

The highway engineer attempts to dispel myths frequently associated with commentary on prevailing speed limits. According to the highway engineer, lowering posted speed limits will not slow down traffic necessarily, nor will it decrease the amount of traffic crashes associated with speed.

Put Our Law Firm’s Over 39 Years Of Legal Experience To Work For Your Case!

If you have been injured in any type of accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact Montlick & Associates today for your free consultation. Montlick & Associates has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. Our auto accident lawyers in Atlanta, Georgia have been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast for over 39 years.

No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.

Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law
17 Executive Park Dr NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Telephone: 1 (800) LAW-NEED
Telephone: 1 (404) 529-6333