Rising pace limits can result in extra crashes and deaths, AAA finds

Elevating pace limits results in extra frequent automotive crashes, whereas reducing them results in fewer crashes, a brand new evaluation by AAA concludes. It’s the form of conclusion that appears apparent on the floor however nonetheless must be highlighted given what number of states appear satisfied that elevating pace limits can save drivers time, when all it actually does is endanger the lives of pedestrians and cyclists.

The report is the newest in a rising physique of proof that finds that altering pace limits can have a big effect on street security within the US. AAA analyzed a dozen roadways of various sorts within the US through which half raised their pace limits whereas the opposite half lowered the restrict. The group then did a before-and-after evaluation to see what sort of influence the altered pace limits had on visitors security in addition to commute instances.

The report is the newest in a rising physique of proof that finds that altering pace limits can have a big effect on street security

Two of the three highways that elevated pace limits skilled elevated numbers of crashes, accidents, or deaths. In the meantime, commute instances remained “comparable” to the place they have been earlier than the bounds have been raised — dashing the expectation that rising speeds would result in quicker journeys for drivers. Numerous different street sorts that raised pace limits didn’t see a corresponding enhance in crashes, accidents, or deaths, main AAA to conclude that extra analysis is required.

Decreasing pace limits additionally had a marginal influence on commute instances, which might assist sprint arguments that altering limits come on the expense of journey time and driver comfort.

Dashing is a essential consider visitors crashes within the US. Dashing-related fatalities not too long ago reached a 14-year excessive, making up virtually one-third of all visitors deaths, in accordance with the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration. That is amid an ongoing “disaster” in street deaths within the US, with visitors fatalities peaking in 2021.

AAA recommends that states apply a “holistic method” to the query of elevating or reducing pace limits, together with the kind of street, surrounding land use, and historic crash knowledge.

“The motion in statehouses to boost pace limits is occurring throughout the nation in a minimum of eight states this yr,” mentioned Jennifer Ryan, director of state relations for AAA. “However the advantages are overrated, and the dangers are understated. Rising pace limits doesn’t all the time yield the constructive outcomes envisioned by visitors planners.”