2007-05-02 06:03:51 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
two reasons. saftey and fuel consumption. ON the highways it's mostly about fuel consumption. On back roads it's about safety.
EDIT: I don't know why people are giving me thumbs down. It's a fact that the government sets speed limits on the highway at 65 to keep fuel consumption levels down. During the gasoline shortage in the 1970's they actually lowered it to 55mph striclty to save gas. After that law was repealed some places actually removed all speed limits on highways.. IE montana used to have no speed limits on some of thier highways. Highways are engineerd to be safe at speeds upwards of 80mph. Todays cars are just as safe at those speeds.
2007-05-02 06:09:51 · answer #1 · answered by Louis G 6 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Safety, for the most part. Cost is another factor.
Except for straight and level roads, every road is designed with a specific grade and curvature on direction changes, which restricts cars and trucks to a maximum safe speed. Exits and junctions with other roads also place limits on safe speeds. Even the construction of the roadbed, bridges and overpasses has an effect on safe speed limits.
If every highway were designed to the specifications for an airport runway capable of handling a 747, we could raise the speed limit to well over 150 mph. For cost reasons, we don't.
2007-05-02 13:19:44 · answer #2 · answered by Tom-SJ 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1. American roads are nowhere near well enough maintained to remove the speed limits. Spend 5 minutes on a German Autobahn and you'll see exactly what I mean.
2. American drivers are nowhere near well enough trained to be allowed to drive at unlimited speeds. Compared to the driving instruction and testing regimen in Germany, ours are a bad joke.
2007-05-02 15:14:44 · answer #3 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an obvious answer to a dumb question. And they give thumbs down to louis because they dont like the truth.I have noticed that about alot of people. they want you to blow smoke up their butt because they dont like the truth. We have speed limits for safety as well as other reasons. I wish I could give thumbs down for all the stupid questions, i mean really grow up.
2007-05-02 16:38:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Illusion of safety and illusion of saving gas. People tend to prefer illusions to reality. Not only Americans, though, but Americans are really good at that :)
2007-05-02 13:51:06 · answer #5 · answered by Misha 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
not all people have common sense of safety and not all people think the same way so come the rules of the road
2007-05-02 13:12:16 · answer #6 · answered by Frog-Leggs 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
let me say this its because of people that has fast cars and motorcycles and not enought experience to handle the power,because they let any body who can aford fast cars or bike just buy them with out knowing their experience.
2007-05-02 15:52:06 · answer #7 · answered by wildchild 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because we have to go slow enough for the cell phone networks to keep up with us. Don't you hate when you are talking in rush hour traffic and your call gets dropped?
2007-05-02 13:08:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
B/c if we had no laws, people would be dying in stupid car accidents all the time!
2007-05-02 13:08:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋