By Constancio "O.G." Torres

Table of Contents

Quotes From the Past

Bernadette Jambaro wrote:

"The implications of my attitude towards the law about speeding is that they should enforce traffic cameras and put more signs of the minimum and maximum speed limits...Speeding is a big issue, and in order for us to have a safe environment on our roads we have to enforce education programs in driving."

My response to Ms. Jambaro:

I agree that speeding is a big issue, however, I do not feel that putting up more signs will alleviate the problem. It will further clutter our roadways, and after a while, drivers will not pay attention to any signs--even the important ones! Any driver that passes the drivers examination should be able to read the signs currently in place. The fact of the matter is, drivers simply do not comply with the speed limits. I agree with Ms. Jambaro that we need to enforce education programs in driving. We need to teach from an early age that driving is a privilege, not a right. It is a privilege that should not be abused, and requires the up most respect. Schools are our most effective method of teaching responsible driving. Adhering to the speed limit and other issues should not only be brought up in drivers education, but in other core curriculums. Perhaps in a civics class or health and guidance. By teaching responsible driving in these classes, you are guaranteed to reach almost 100% of future or current drivers. Parents of children should also set a good example. Of course the child will believe that speeding is okay if they see mommy or daddy doing it.

Carlene Yee wrote:

"I believe that the speed limit should be higher, and I speed about 10-15 mph above the speed limit sometimes. In areas that I feel need more cautious driving, I do obey the speed limit, because in those areas, I feel it is warranted."

My Response to Ms. Yee:

I disagree that speed limits should be higher. If we raise the speed limits, drivers like Ms. Yee will only choose to go another 10-15 mph faster. This will lead to even more reckless and dangerous driving on our roads. She also mentions that she drives more cautiously in areas where she feels it is warranted. This is a very subjective way to determine how fast or slow you go, and could easily be impaired by outside factors. For example, a sharp turn may not look so sharp after a few drinks and en entire evening of clubbing. Speed limits were created for a reason, they were not grabbed out of the air and printed onto a sign. To keep speeds consistent and safe, it is essential for us to follow the speed limits. The fact that Ms. Yee openly disregards the speed limits raises another problem facing our society. Despite laws that exist, no one pays attention to them because there is not consistent enforcement. It also points out the fact that we as citizens do not have much respect for laws that were established to protect us. If you ask me, I find this just as scary as the fact that she speeds.

Kyle Kaneshiro wrote:

"I think that speed limits should be rated according to traffic flow. For example, some areas on this island are rated too low, such as the freeway...I also feel that driving too slow or below the speed limit can make you a hazard on the road. This can cause an accident because you are obstructing the flow of traffic. They are like big pieces of debris on the road that you have to dodge."

My Response to Mr. Kaneshiro:

Speed limits are currently set to accommodate traffic flow. Just because it is set too low for one individual does not mean that everyone on our roads thinks it is too slow. The fact of the matter is, we must safely accommodate all types of drivers: Snail, Slow, Just Right, Fast, and Speed Demon. It pushes the snails to move at a pace quick enough to keep traffic flowing, and limits the speed demons so as not to cause accidents. If we increase the speed limit, this will only give speeders more of an incentive to drive even faster. This will most likely result in an increase in accidents and fatalities on our roadways. Also, people driving slow and "obstructing the flow of traffic" will not cause the accidents. People driving recklessly and trying to overtake them are the ones causing the accidents. To think of them as "big peices of debris on the road that you have to dodge" is reflective of a "what's good for me" attitude. One of the first things we should learn before we get our license is personal responsibility and mutual respect. Personal responsibility to drive safely and within the legal limits set up by our society. And, mutual respect for all of those we share the road with. These are things that we must teach our children before they get their license.

My Thoughts

I strongly feel that speed limits were created for a reason, and that some rhyme or reason went into their creation. While some of them may seem too slow, it is important to keep in mind the abilities of other drivers. Some drivers, and their cars (I question some of the cars on the roads, not necessarily the drivers), cannot go as fast as I would like them to. For this reason, I feel that we should not tamper with the speed limits, and just adapt to other drivers around us. Many individuals have said that other drivers go too slow, and that the speed limits should be raised. This simply reflects the "me first" attitude that prevails in our society. We think about ourselves before we think about the big picture. This further convinces me that we must keep the speed limits the way they are.

Implications of My Attitude Toward the Law?

My attitude towards the speed limit debate corresponds to the existing laws of our society. I follow the speed limits, therefore, I follow the law. Simple as that!

Is My Behavior Consistent with My Attitude?

For the most part, yes. I tend to follow the speed limits, though I admit that when I am in a rush, I do push it a few MPH's. I rarely do this, and my best friend usually starts screaming if I go too fast. She's a good speedometer! The only problem I have is with people who cut in front of me or tail me. I tend to try and tail them if they cut in front of me without signaling first, and I have on occassion pulled on my hand breaks when someone was tailing me. Granted, this is not safe behavior, it still is not speeding. I think as I grow older, my behavior will become more consistent with my attitude.

Web Issues

Reasonable Drivers Unanimous

This web page was authored by Kevin Atkinson, a junior at the University of Maryland at College Park. In a nutshell, he appears to be a trekkie, conspiracy theorist who believes that speed limits are too low and unnecessary. While I do not agree with his opinion, his web page provides the reader with an abundance of facts and statistics on many driving issues. The mission of his page is to collect statistics that prove speed limits are wrong. He hopes to create a "treasure house" of traffic facts, statistics, and laws. One study he sited was from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. Report No. FHWA-RD-92-084 (October 1992) collected its data in 22 states at 100 sites before and after the speed limit was changed (either higher or lower). It was concluded that lowering speed limits below the 50th percentile does not reduce accidents, but does significantly increase driver violations of the speed limit. Conversely, raising the posted speed limits did not increase speeds or accidents. Mr. Atkinson also had statistics, editorials, CNN reports, and laws and ordinances from other states and countries.

Analyzing the Web

My Opinion on this Page:

His countless and overwhelming amount of statistics and reports have not changed my opinion on the speed limit debate. Until such time that all individuals on our roadways are at the same level of skill and comfort, we cannot do away, or increase the speed limit.

Newsgroups Review

From: LupNOSPAMine@freenet.net (LupNOSPAMine)
Subject: Re: Set the speed limit = "whatever is reasonable and prudent"
Date: 26 Apr 1999 00:00:00 GMT
Message-ID:
References: <7ep8rv$plt$1@nnrp1.dejanews.com>
<7erc7h$dmk$1@nnrp1.dejanews.com>
<7f06v1$i3k$1@nnrp1.dejanews.com>
<7f6hfu$450@freenet-news.carleton.ca>
<371d5936.35771052@news.powersurfr.com>
<924562050.427.48@news.remarQ.com>
<371bec6d.4059900@news.powersurfr.com>
<924652787.991.47@news.remarQ.com>

<7fmk0l$2gu@freenet-news.carleton.ca>
<5m2of7.ob1.ln@hermes.tech7.com>
<7fv0vv$fcv@freenet-news.carleton.ca>

<7g0cie$cld@freenet-news.carleton.ca>
X-Complaints-To: newsabuse@remarq.com
X-Trace: 925143270 BOI4TCLKD5B49261EC east43.supernews.com
Organization: LupNOSPAMinous Unitious
Newsgroups:
alt.planning.transportation,misc.transport.road,or.politics,pdx.general,rec.autos.driving

In article <7g0cie$cld@freenet-news.carleton.ca>,
ag414@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Colin R. Leech) wrote:

> (isever@fas.harvard.edu) wrote:
> >
> > Certain 'laws' are good (do not steal from others, keep to a specific side
> > of road when meeting other vehicles) and certain 'laws' are bad (women
> > have no voting rights, you must drive 55 miles per hour in a vehicle and
> > on a road designed for 80.)
> >
> > Would you say those who opposed sitting in the back of a bus by law were
> > also hypocritical because they thought those laws shouldn't apply to them?
>
> The obvious difference being that the people who finally got those laws
> overturned took positive political action to change the laws, rather than
> sitting back and whining about selective law enforcement.

Well, why don't you pull your head out of your ass, and look at ALL the roads that we HAVE already changed from the mandated 55mph national speed limit?

About 90% of my driving mileage is done on roads marked 65 and 70mph.. and I'm very happy that *WE* got them changed from 55mph.

My Thoughts:

If his address had not said "harvard," I would never have guessed this individual even attended college. He provides no sound basis for opposing speed limits, except that he does not believe in them. It forces me to wonder where he drives if 90% of his mileage takes place on 65-70 mph roadways. As for taking a look at places where the speed limit has gone beyond 55 mph, I have. It's scary! In DC/Virginia, the speed limit is 65 mph on the major freeways. Cars, and especially large trucks, are speeding along the freeway at speeds well above 65 mph. This can be very scary to a Hawaii driver that has been dumped onto I-95! It doesn't take a transportation planner to figure out that the high speeds increase the likelihood of accidents, and it definately facilitates outbreaks of road rage. Harvard educated? Guess it isn't all they say!

Future Generations

I think that people should go out and survey individuals to determine what types of personalities and age groups tend to follow or break the speed limits currently set. This may show a trend and possibly provide some type of hypothesis for the student creating this page. Instead of using DejaNews, perhaps the student could look at the discussion topics for sources. Tons of topics were created this semester, and at least 20 responses were listed for each one. This would make it more interesting for the student because their fellow peers are the ones writing the statements.

Epilogue

In conclusion, this report has challenged my research skills, and has helped me learn how to effectively navigate the world wide web! I would encourage future generations to utilize various search engines and determine which one is best. Not all search engines are easy to use, and this could limit the amount of resources you find. If you go into this report not sure of your stance on an issue, it is possible that you will come to some kind of determination as a result of reading the information available to you. I was very set in my opinion of speed limits, so reading reports that spoke against my opinion had no real affect on me. Besides information you could find on the internet, I would encourage you to GO OUTSIDE and collect first hand data. This is the best way for you to find out more about the speed limit debate, and to formulate your own opinion.