it is a common belief that ..?

Question

the faster you drive the more likely you are to have an accident. But if you drive slower you end up being on the road longer so risk of accident is prolonged - discuss

Answer 1

But if you drive fast it is more likely the accident is your fault than if you are driving slow. And even if you do drive faster, how much time will you actually save? 5,10 minutes? I guess it depends on how far you drive. I think it's best to just go with the flow, if everyone is going fast you should also go fast or get out of the way. If nobody is on the road you can drive faster but still be careful.

Answer 2

not a belief or rumor, but truth. Insurance companies and governments have studied this indepth. The human reflexes are the weak link in automotive safety. The faster you go the further you will travel from the time you notice something until you come to a full stop. Both because of the reaction time and the kinetic energy your vehicle needs to disperse to come to a stop.

In most countries (except Germany) you will not be able to maintain any type of serious speed without having to slow down for other drivers or speed traps. The time you save will in no way compare to the extra fuel used, wear and tear on the vehicle and your mental state and the chance of a ticket.

The Germany automobile club ADAC http://www.adac.de did a test a year or so ago. They drove 2 cars from the South to the North of Germany. Once was a small economy car and the other a Porsche. There was less then 30 minutes difference at the end of the drive due to the Porsche needing to fill up more often. The small car tried to keep a constant 120 KmH, while the Porsche was hitting in the high 200's.
Which car do you think was more prone to being involved in an accident?
And in an accident while car would create more damage, the one doing 120 or the one doing 250?


Stopping distance calculator http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/crstp.html

Drive to Arrive http://www.driveandstayalive.com/info%20section/stopping-distances.htm

Answer 3

Driving slower allows you to see (and avoid) hazards well before they become a danger.

When driving fast, it's easier to lose control while trying to avoid hazards.

I'll opt for slower driving. Since I've been driving slower, I have had NO accidents, tickets, or road rage in 25 years.

There are also other benefits. My car has 84000 miles on it, and I'm still using the original brakes. My tires lasted to 65000 miles, and general wear and tear is reduced.

Answer 4

Speed does not cause accidents. Never has. It's the sudden CHANGE in speed, like braking hard or swerving in the rain, hitting a wall, etc, that causes accidents.

If going fast made someone more likely to get into an accident, then Formula 1 drivers would be 10 times more likely to have one, right? After all, they spend countless hours in a high-powered car that tops 200mph. So statistically two or three F1 drivers should die each season, right?

Answer 5

Come on. HOW old are you? You drive what the traffic allows.I know most people don't. only if they know a cop has his radar gun going. But you will get there just as fast driving the speed limit, than speeding. I know i am wasting my time, my own kids don't listen, don't know why you should. Good Luck! Hope you don't kill yourself......or someone else.

Answer 6

the faster you drive the more damge you will recieve and less time to react but yes you will be on the road less, as long as its not to fast your good but its HOW YOU DRIVE

Answer 7

That is true but if you make a mistake at high speed then you will never leave the road alive.

Answer 8

thats why the sign has numbers on it ,and a slite veriance . without fear of ticket , the rest is phyics time and speed traveled a--b .crashes accure when driver is not alert. or some dumb --- does something stupid and affects the flow of movement.

Answer 9

It's not how fast you drive, but how you drive fast...