speed limit

As we’ve examined previously both here and here, the Dangerous by Design 2014 report contains a wealth of valuable information on the pedestrian safety crisis in the United States. One of the most striking aspects of the report is the clear connection drawn between speeding and pedestrian deaths. Consider the breakdown of pedestrian fatalities by…

As proof that it’s not just young celebrities who can be terrible role models, 76-year-old screen icon Robert Redford recently boasted he drives at speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour. In a recent interview with Esquire, the onetime Sundance Kid was asked if he still enjoys driving fast. Redford’s response: “You bet. I’ll…

It seems like common sense that reducing the speed limit would reduce the number of car accidents on city streets and highways. But if you look at the statistics a little closer, it’s clear that speed limit has little impact on the frequency of car accidents, and in some cases, higher speed limits have led to even safer roads. In 2008, for example, Purdue University reported that higher speed limits in Indiana had no impact on the number of car accidents. But anecdotal evidence shows that highways and city streets react differently to higher speed limits, due partially to the existence of pedestrians and cyclists within city limits.