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.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. https://www.aaafoundation.org/sites/default/files/2011Pedest...Please think of everyone on the roads, not just drivers, when making arguments like these.