Is Every Speed Limit Too Low?
This is a fine analysis if you imagine that every road only ever has cars on it. But this is not the reality, and speed of cars has a huge impact on the fatality rates of vulnerable road users when they are hit.<p>Results show that the average risk of severe injury for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle reaches 10% at an impact speed of 16 mph, 25% at 23 mph, 50% at 31 mph, 75% at 39 mph, and 90% at 46 mph. The average risk of death for a pedestrian reaches 10% at an impact speed of 23 mph, 25% at 32 mph, 50% at 42 mph, 75% at 50 mph, and 90% at 58 mph. Risks vary significantly by age. For example, the average risk of severe injury or death for a 70‐year‐old pedestrian struck by a car travelling at 25 mph is similar to the risk for a 30‐year‐old pedestrian struck at 35 mph. <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.aaafoundation.org&#x2F;sites&#x2F;default&#x2F;files&#x2F;2011PedestrianRiskVsSpeed.pdf" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.aaafoundation.org&#x2F;sites&#x2F;default&#x2F;files&#x2F;2011Pedest...</a><p>Please think of everyone on the roads, not just drivers, when making arguments like these.