80 MPH speed limit tomorrow

[Wally World]

WOW, A few years ago the brilliant ND legislature was so concerned about public safety they passed a mandatory seat belt law for everyone in a vehicle, but now in their infinite wisdom they passed a speed limit increase that WILL injure and kill more people! Wonder why the flip flop in safety concerns? Makes you wonder their motives!!!


there is evidence suggesting that increasing the speed limit from 75 to 80 mph would likely lead to an increase in both accidents and fatalities.

Elaboration:

• Increased Risk:
  Higher speeds generally correlate with a higher probability of crashes and more severe injuries.
  
  
• Physics of Speed:
  As speed increases, stopping distances become longer, and the force of impact in a crash also increases, leading to more severe injuries.
  
  
• Driver Reaction Time:
  At higher speeds, drivers have less time to react to unexpected events, like a sudden stop or a pedestrian crossing the road.
  
  
• Real-World Studies:
  Studies have shown that increasing speed limits is associated with a rise in traffic fatalities. One study indicated that a 5 mph increase in speed limits was linked to an 8% increase in fatalities on interstates and freeways according to the IIHS-HLDI.
  
  
• Speed Variance:
  While higher speed limits might lead to some time savings, they also increase the speed variance (the difference in speeds between vehicles), which can be a significant safety hazard.
  
  
• Public Health Concern:
  Speeding is a major public health concern, with speed-related crashes contributing to a large number of fatalities and injuries annually.

 

[deleted___account]

I'd like to think I respect most speed limits in towns or such, but when I'm on the highway idgaf.

 

[Colt45]

Looks like we have a lot of left wing loonies on this site.
you do not have to go 80mph if you don't want to
if you want to travel at 75 or even 70 mph then no prob.
just don't drive in the LEFT LANE below the posted speed limit on the interstate!
nobody is telling you to go 80mph, if that's not comfortable with your lame arse then back it down to your "comfort" level
I would think even camper, freedom, and way below average would understand this logic, but I am an optimist so probably not
get a grip people

 

[CrappieHunter]

Wonder who lobbied and greased up the politicians to get this speed increase? Maybe the extra gas taxes on the extra fuel burned was a big incentive!

It takes significantly more energy to go from 75 mph to 80 mph due to the physics of wind resistance. As speed increases, the force of air resistance grows exponentially. This means that even a small increase in speed, like 5 mph, from 75 to 80, requires a disproportionately larger amount of energy to overcome that resistance.

Here's why:

• Wind Resistance:
  The faster you travel, the more air you have to push out of the way. This resistance increases with the square of the speed. So, going from 75 to 80 mph significantly increases the force of the air pushing against the vehicle.
  
  
• Engine Efficiency:
  While engines are most efficient at lower RPMs and in their highest gear, at higher speeds, the engine needs to work harder to overcome increased wind resistance and friction, leading to higher fuel consumption.
  
  
• Overall Energy Consumption:
  Studies and real-world driving data show that each 5 mph increase in speed above 50 mph results in a noticeable decrease in fuel economy. The decrease is more pronounced at higher speeds, meaning the jump from 75 to 80 mph will have a greater impact on energy consumption than a similar jump at lower speeds.

For example, a Department of Energy (.gov) study showed that fuel economy decreases by an average of 14% when going from 60 to 70 mph, and another 15.4% when going from 70 to 80 mph.

Therefore, while it might seem like a small speed increase, the energy required to go from 75 mph to 80 mph is significantly higher due to the physics of wind resistance and the impact on engine efficiency.

You know you don’t have to go 80 right? There’s no minimum in North Dakota

 

[Davy Crockett]

I'm fine driving 80 and just as safe as 70 . It's the others that I share the road with that I'm worried about. When I see people driving on icy interstate at breakneck speeds I cringe . I never outdrive the conditions except the rare condition where a passing vehicle will blind me with snow .

 

[Tikka280ai]

Same amount of accidents with increased fatalities from them is entirely possible. Speed kills. It's basic physics.

Technically its the violent deceleration that kills!

 

[Rut2much]

Wonder who lobbied and greased up the politicians to get this speed increase? Maybe the extra gas taxes on the extra fuel burned was a big incentive!

It takes significantly more energy to go from 75 mph to 80 mph due to the physics of wind resistance. As speed increases, the force of air resistance grows exponentially. This means that even a small increase in speed, like 5 mph, from 75 to 80, requires a disproportionately larger amount of energy to overcome that resistance.

Here's why:

• Wind Resistance:
  The faster you travel, the more air you have to push out of the way. This resistance increases with the square of the speed. So, going from 75 to 80 mph significantly increases the force of the air pushing against the vehicle.
  
  
• Engine Efficiency:
  While engines are most efficient at lower RPMs and in their highest gear, at higher speeds, the engine needs to work harder to overcome increased wind resistance and friction, leading to higher fuel consumption.
  
  
• Overall Energy Consumption:
  Studies and real-world driving data show that each 5 mph increase in speed above 50 mph results in a noticeable decrease in fuel economy. The decrease is more pronounced at higher speeds, meaning the jump from 75 to 80 mph will have a greater impact on energy consumption than a similar jump at lower speeds.

For example, a Department of Energy (.gov) study showed that fuel economy decreases by an average of 14% when going from 60 to 70 mph, and another 15.4% when going from 70 to 80 mph.

Therefore, while it might seem like a small speed increase, the energy required to go from 75 mph to 80 mph is significantly higher due to the physics of wind resistance and the impact on engine efficiency.

Bingo just as I was saying, big difference in going 77-80 at 2100-2200 rpm's than 80-82 at 2400-2500 rpm's. I don't like watching the gauge drop or engine work harder for minimal gain in mph.

Just trying to fix something that wasn't remotely broken and weren't bringing in enough money on tickets while boosting consumption revenue at the same time. Win win for them but not much change for many of us who were always going those speeds before.

keep my sanity and blood pressure lower on the scenic back roads when possible anyway.

 

[ORCUS DEMENS]

Technically its the violent deceleration that kills!

True, V1M1-V2M2=F
But the V1 has a greater impact on F as V2 in crashes is usually 0.

 

[KDM]

So 70 in an 80 is the new 65 in a 75 which replaced the 55 in a 65 which followed the 50 in a 55. Ok, I think I got it. Just want to know what I'm being given the bird for. Unless I spend too much time in the left lane. I don't want to even think about what will happen if one goes 65 in an 80 in the left lane without using blinkers. Gives me shivers.

 

[LBrandt]

Like I try to tell the wife, if she drives to Fargo at 83 we have to eat at a fast food joint. If I drive at 65 we can eat at a nice set-down cafe. All for a 10 Minet savings. LB

 

[Eatsleeptrap]

So 70 in an 80 is the new 65 in a 75 which replaced the 55 in a 65 which followed the 50 in a 55. Ok, I think I got it. Just want to know what I'm being given the bird for. Unless I spend too much time in the left lane. I don't want to even think about what will happen if one goes 65 in an 80 in the left lane without using blinkers. Gives me shivers.

Perfect!!

 

[Kurtr]

I would say the 80mph limit has made it safer here as enforcement of speed limit has been way stricter.

Or maybe we are just better drivers

 

[Maddog]

Wonder who lobbied and greased up the politicians to get this speed increase? Maybe the extra gas taxes on the extra fuel burned was a big incentive!

It takes significantly more energy to go from 75 mph to 80 mph due to the physics of wind resistance. As speed increases, the force of air resistance grows exponentially. This means that even a small increase in speed, like 5 mph, from 75 to 80, requires a disproportionately larger amount of energy to overcome that resistance.

Here's why:

• Wind Resistance:
  The faster you travel, the more air you have to push out of the way. This resistance increases with the square of the speed. So, going from 75 to 80 mph significantly increases the force of the air pushing against the vehicle.
  
  
• Engine Efficiency:
  While engines are most efficient at lower RPMs and in their highest gear, at higher speeds, the engine needs to work harder to overcome increased wind resistance and friction, leading to higher fuel consumption.
  
  
• Overall Energy Consumption:
  Studies and real-world driving data show that each 5 mph increase in speed above 50 mph results in a noticeable decrease in fuel economy. The decrease is more pronounced at higher speeds, meaning the jump from 75 to 80 mph will have a greater impact on energy consumption than a similar jump at lower speeds.

For example, a Department of Energy (.gov) study showed that fuel economy decreases by an average of 14% when going from 60 to 70 mph, and another 15.4% when going from 70 to 80 mph.

Therefore, while it might seem like a small speed increase, the energy required to go from 75 mph to 80 mph is significantly higher due to the physics of wind resistance and the impact on engine efficiency.

not only wind resistance, there is quite a few other variables ..... just saying

 

[Maddog]

I'm fine driving 80 and just as safe as 70 . It's the others that I share the road with that I'm worried about. When I see people driving on icy interstate at breakneck speeds I cringe . I never outdrive the conditions except the rare condition where a passing vehicle will blind me with snow .

Can't be just as safe.
With your given reaction time at 80 you will have less time (equates to distance) to react than at 70.
Physics.

 

[wslayer]

The extra fuel and rpms to travel across ND at 80 mph compare to 75 to save 20 mins isn't worth it to me, but I'm ole school.

 

[measure-it]

I heard that to be able to raise the Interstate limits from 75 to 80 and still maintain our Federal monies for infrastructure, we had to do a mandatory seat belt law. We lost another freedom of choice to gain 5 mph! The Feds and State have a way of getting under my skin!

 

[Kurtr]

You don’t have to wear your seat belt just like you don’t have to follow the speed limit. You’re still free to choose. We have had a seat belt law here for more years than I can remember I haven’t felt any less free.

 

[Rut2much]

Cocksuckers..my body my choice works here I will wear it if and when I choose to wear it which is an odd day in the winter on icy highways mainly because of lack of trust in others. Sure as hell don't like being confined just like in a boat, on a quad or motorcycle.

Can and do they save lives? Yes
Have they killed people who otherwise who wouldn't have been killed? Yes
are they abused by law enforcement perception to sniff out higher offenses? Absolutely
#unconstitutional

 

[Kurtr]

Cocksuckers..my body my choice works here I will wear it if and when I choose to wear it which is an odd day in the winter on icy highways mainly because of lack of trust in others. Sure as hell don't like being confined just like in a boat, on a quad or motorcycle.

Can and do they save lives? Yes
Have they killed people who otherwise who wouldn't have been killed? Yes
are they abused by law enforcement perception to sniff out higher offenses? Absolutely
#unconstitutional

The odds are so astronomical of survival wearing a seat belt vs not it’s not even an argument a sane person who can understand numbers could even have. But I guess Darwin has to win some times.

Now if your talking driving on a frozen lake you have a strong argument vs not wearing one.

I don’t know a single person who has been pulled over for not wearing a seat belt as it’s not a stoppable offense here only get a ticket if pulled over for something else. A while 25 dollars.

 

[SDMF]

there is evidence suggesting that increasing the speed limit from 75 to 80 mph would likely lead to an increase in both accidents and fatalities.

• Driver Reaction Time:
  At higher speeds, drivers have less time to react to unexpected events, like a sudden stop or a pedestrian crossing the road.
  
  
• Real-World Studies:
  Studies have shown that increasing speed limits is associated with a rise in traffic fatalities. One study indicated that a 5 mph increase in speed limits was linked to an 8% increase in fatalities on interstates and freeways according to the IIHS-HLDI.
  
  
• Speed Variance:
  While higher speed limits might lead to some time savings, they also increase the speed variance (the difference in speeds between vehicles), which can be a significant safety hazard.
  
  
• Public Health Concern:
  Speeding is a major public health concern, with speed-related crashes contributing to a large number of fatalities and injuries annually.

1. The Interstate highway system was designed to be safe for cars traveling 75MPH, in the 1950’s-1960’s.

2. The drop to 55MPH was done as a result of the oil embargo and had nothing to do with highway safety. They only thing safer was politicians who didn’t get whooped over gas-lines.

3. There’s enough safety Thing-a-Ma-Jigs built into newer vehicles that it’s getting harder every day to get into an accident

4. Inattention, un/under-preparedness and to a smaller degree inexperience are now and always have been the biggest threat on the road. Attention diversion from the road is nothing new. Today phones and info-tainment Have been added to the detractors that have always been there. Poor speed control, shifting a manual trans when necessary, the radio, shitty windshield wipers, eating food & dropping food, drinks & spilled drinks, reading (book, newspaper, now phones/tablets), passengers (adults and kids), and fatigue off the top of my head.

To circle back to #1, the Interstate Highway System was designed to be safe for vehicles if the late 50’s-early 60’. Any car built and well maintained since 2000 ASSUMING AN ATTENTIVE DRIVER and reasonably attentive traffic, could safely travel ND’s I-29/94 well over 100MPH safely.

Regarding efficiency, manufacturers can greatly increase efficiency of a vehicle @ nearly any speed. Right now, today, Highway efficiency on the window sticker is measured @ 65MPH so that’s what they tune-in for peak MPG. They could make that point, 80, or 100MPH if that’s the standard they were going to be held to.

A full-sized 1/2Tn pickup driving the speed limit gets very similar MPG today as it did n the mid-80’s driving the speed limit. The diff of course is we’re going 25MPH faster today.

I wonder where they’d be regarding efficiency if there’d never been speed limits to begin with???

I believe I’ll hold off on the hand-wringing for a while.