Why is it?

[Cobra6]

Why is it that Rosie O?Donnell can get on national T.V. and complain about gun owners and how irresponsible we are when nearly 42,000 people lost their lives in automobile crashes last year.

And why is it that (pick your political party) can get up and nickel and dime the defense budget, but the economic impact of automobile collisions was 230.6 billion (yes..billion) dollars?

And why is it that we complain so much about crime, but when we are late for an appointment, school or whatever we never think twice about speeding, and that excessive driving speed is associated annually with 12,350 fatalities and 690,000 non-fatal injuries. This represents 30 percent of all fatalities and 13 percent of all nonfatal injuries. Crashes in which at least one driver was exceeding the legal speed limit or driving too fast for conditions cost $40.4 billion in 2000, or $144 for every person living in the U.S.

Just makes me wonder where our priorities are.

[Bondo]

Speeding doesn't cause accidents, tailgating and agressive passing is what does.  If no one is in front of me, I'll drive 20 miles over the limit, but if there are people in front of me I'll go whatever they are going, that is perfectly safe (assuming a tire doesn't go).

And about the goverment nickle and diming the defense budget, I find that hard to believe as it is about 4 times larger than it should be.

[dave-s]

Speeding doesn't cause accidents

Maybe not but it does up your breaking distances and delays between thought and action have higher concequenses [sp].
Saying that I do speed, 40 in a 30mph area, 80 on a motorway instead of 70, not much but just enough to increase kill percentages, I should really start to drive normally.

[Bondo]

I've gone about 102 in a 75 but not more than 30 over anywhere.  But if no one is in front of you then braking distance doesn't matter.  You just have to stay 2 seconds behind someone and you can make the braking.

[Cobra6]

I've gone about 102 in a 75 but not more than 30 over anywhere. ?But if no one is in front of you then braking distance doesn't matter. ?You just have to stay 2 seconds behind someone and you can make the braking.

If you are going 102 in a 75 zone here are the braking distances:
102 MPH
Velocity (FPS) 149.6
Braking distance 496.453 feet
Perception/Reaction time  1.5 seconds
Distance traveled during P/R  224.4feet
Braking time   6.63709 Seconds
Total Braking Distance   720.854 feet

75 MPH
Velocity (FPS) 110
Braking distance 268.411 feet
Perception/Reaction time  1.5 seconds
Distance traveled during P/R  165 feet
Braking time   4.88 Seconds
Total Braking Distance   433.412 feet

A difference of 287.442 feet of braking distance. You can usually react to things you see in time if you travel the speed limit..it's the things you can't that are going to kill you, or someone else.

[Bondo]

Not may surprises when you can see in any direction for a mile or more.

[Cocobolo]

Eeeek! Not sure if I should be in this thread Of course I can't argue with you Cobra, this is something you see the consequenses of every day, but what many ppl fail to think of is that when they go out and buy that 7000lb SUV and get on the freeway, all the other factors such as cornering/evasion ability, braking ability, etc..are reduced greatly. Around here I'd have to say that people on cell phones are my number one concern.

But NJ just raised the speed limits on a few of the big highways from 55 to 65, and the accidens reduced somewhat. I guess some of it can be attributed to a lessened likelihood of frustrated motorists trying to slice through slow traffic. If the limit is 65, the average car is moving around 72-75 it seems. But what can we do? Lower limits? (no!!!) Increase penalties? As the population increases (NJ is the most congested state) it's only going to get worse. I heard the other day that there are 600,000 uninsured drivers in NJ. Aut ins. rates since last year have DOUBLED. Talk about taking advantage of a situation, Allstate pulled down more than 60billion last year and they are crying about not making enough money to stay in NJ, State Farm is leaving!

[Bondo]

I suppose I should mention that 100 I went was in the very rural (but on interstate) areas of CO.  Nothing like NJ traffic-wise.

[Cocobolo]

Geeez, my grandparents used to live out there. Nothing like NJ, the roads are empty, and you can see forever.

[Bondo]

Well, when you get into Denver and Colorado Springs there is traffic, but almost never is that traffic slower than 35 on the interstate.

[AMBROSE]

Pry OR It ies? What are Pri Orti ties?

[{E}LuSiVe]

coco, fellow jersian, buddy, pal.... can u tell me why the hell the hilton side of 18 north AND south gets packed to hell for seemingly no apparent reason at frickin 2-330pm?!

where do all these ppl COME FROM?!

>:o8):(:

[Cocobolo]

I'll explain that if you can explain the Rt.3 phenomenon.. Gridlock for miles, then...nothing..traffic is flying again, with NO reason for the gridlock.

[{E}LuSiVe]

w00t!!! that means im not going crazy or seeing things...

ever see the movie 5th Element? man if traffic were flying like THAT...