I dont really think we have an argument. I was just pointing out the science behind that phrase. A portion is that things happen faster and people make more mistakes at higher speed, but a bigger part is that you will survive most accidents at 30 mph, but you are multiple times more likely to die at 80.
Agreed..I just think the term “speed kills” is a over used catch phrase to justify the revenue gathering process of tagging speeders.
There are by far worse driving errors that should be addressed imho
Al
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but its not speed that’s causing the problems.
Maybe not, but speed drastically increases the problems when they do occur. Blow a tire, have an old lady turn left in front of you, have a farmer pull out with a hay rack, deer out of the ditch…..all of these are not entirely predictable but when you are running faster, the above formula comes into play and the damage is that much greater. Speeding, after all, is a violation of the law basically because it is dangerous. That would appear to be poor driving skill.
Well, it has been an interesting survey. Who would have thought that 81% of the respondents routinely break the law? I certainly hope we do better with game laws. The most interesting part is that I have the feeling that most of the people connected to this web site are honest, decent, law abiding citizens who on most subjects would be angry with law breakers. We just have a different standard for traffic laws than almost anything else we do. The speed limit is frequently inconvenient and we mostly do what we can get away with. Hope none of you turn into a statistic during the next year.
You can say what ya want, but driving errors cause more problems than speed, that includes driving to fast for conditions.
You run into that farmer pulling out, two things have happened, one the farmer had his head up his backside and two, you weren’t driving defensively.
Same for the old lady, deer might be better example though, but the driving instructors say if there’s deer, slow down also.
Al
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Well, it has been an interesting survey. Who would have thought that 81% of the respondents routinely break the law? I certainly hope we do better with game laws. The most interesting part is that I have the feeling that most of the people connected to this web site are honest, decent, law abiding citizens who on most subjects would be angry with law breakers. We just have a different standard for traffic laws than almost anything else we do. The speed limit is frequently inconvenient and we mostly do what we can get away with. Hope none of you turn into a statistic during the next year.
I’m glad your one of the few who drive and never break a law, stats have shown that’s probably not the case, I’d suggest not throwing bricks while living in a glass house.
Or should I say driving in a glass house.
Al
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I’m glad your one of the few who drive and never break a law, stats have shown that’s probably not the case, I’d suggest not throwing bricks while living in a glass house.
Or should I say driving in a glass house.
Al
Well, if I said some place that I have never broken a law, then you have caught me red handed Al. I certainly did my share of speeding when I was a younger and I have never had an accident so I had no “real” reason to quit. On the other hand, when you have spent some of your time working in an emergency room trying to put bodies back together like Humpy Dumpty or watched families try to deal with grief, you don’t feel too bad about trying to get folks to think about what they were doing and slow down. The time saved just isn’t worth it. Kind of interesting how just bringing up the subject of speeding raises the temperature.
How about anybody who doesn’t want to end up in an emergency room, in pieces, stays off the roads ??? That way, traffic should flow alot better, with only the 81% of us reckless care nots on the road….. how someone can get to me poachnig deer or taking fish out of the season/slot from my driving habits, is beyond me… 
big G 
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Don’t like tailgaters?
Get out of their way.
I have no patients for someone on my [censored] on the two lane highway I drive most my miles on. Here are the rules i play by.
I’m usually 5-10% over the limit. If your in my back seat for more than a minute or so, I slow to the speed limit. Still there? I get slower, and slower, and slower. I’ve made good portions of my drive to work under 40 mph a few times now. Most people pass me. Thats fine. Some people get it, back off, and I immediately go back to my original speed. Some people don’t get it, cant pass me (not many chances), and has a really slow drive to work. I’ve even had one dude follow me just to spend 5 minutes yelling at me in my work parking lot because (get this) “he was going to be late to work”. Really? Idiot.
Funny thing is that 9 of 10 times when someone passes me i catch back up with them at the next stop light so they really haven’t saved any time.
I do that because If I have to stop fast (like the deer I hit last spring) and your on my [censored], your probably going to hit me . I’d rather be hit by a car doing 35 mph than 65 mph. Did you know that a vehicles kinetic energy doubles every 10 mph? So the likelihood of some stupid-chit inconsiderate-azzhole of rear ending me and resulting in an injury accident goes way up at higher speeds.
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I’m usually 5-10% over the limit. If your in my back seat for more than a minute or so, I slow to the speed limit. Still there? I get slower, and slower, and slower. I’ve made good portions of my drive to work under 40 mph a few times now. Most people pass me. That’s fine. Some people get it, back off, and I immediately go back to my original speed. Some people don’t get it, cant pass me (not many chances), and has a really slow drive to work. I’ve even had one dude follow me just to spend 5 minutes yelling at me in my work parking lot because (get this) “he was going to be late to work”. Really? Idiot.
Why is it that you feel that no one should pass you? Is it because you are going 5 to 10% over the speed limit so that means no one else should go any faster than you, is it your job to decide how much over the speed limit everyone else can go? Wouldn’t it be easier to just simply let them pass, you could drive the speed limit in the right lane get to work sooner than driving 40 in the left lane and not have to worry about some Idiot following you to work. There are allot of Idiots on the road that carry guns we see it on the news all the time road rage shootings, you are lucky that all the guy did was yell at you, I hope for your sake that someday you do not tick off the wrong guy that is carrying a gun.
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While I think the term “speed kills” is a cute catch phrase, its incorrect, speed doesn’t kill, improper driving does.
Where are you getting your facts Al? I would have to disagree with your statement.
Excessive Speed Is A Factor In One Third Of All Fatal Crashes
From http://www.minnesotansforsafedriving.com
Contributing factors in single vehicle crashes 1) speed 26%, 2) driver inattention 11.6%, 3) chemical impairment 7.4% 4) overcorrecting 7.2%
Complied from Minnesota Crash Facts 2008, Minnesota Department of Public Safety. For more information go to their website at http://www.dps.state.mn.us/OTS/crashdata/crash_facts.asp
I think what Al is saying… a car driving down the road, doing say 70 mph in a 55 limit area, with an attentive driver at the wheel & on dry pavement and some idiot on a cell phone, pulls out 50 feet in front of him and he smucks him, the speed wasn’t the problem…. yes it will probably be a “factor” in the extent of injuries, but what the real issue is, was the guy not paying attention and pulling out in front of him. Speed hardly ever kills, its the sudden stop or rolling that does it… Yes speed may worsen the result, but I would say an idiot can pull out in front of you, whether you are doing 30 or 80… I think “factor” and “cause” are 2 different things. Get rid of the idiot inattentive drivers and eliminate dumb accidents and speed doesn’t have the chance to become a “factor” as much.
big G 
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I’m usually 5-10% over the limit. If your in my back seat for more than a minute or so, I slow to the speed limit. Still there? I get slower, and slower, and slower. I’ve made good portions of my drive to work under 40 mph a few times now. Most people pass me. That’s fine. Some people get it, back off, and I immediately go back to my original speed. Some people don’t get it, cant pass me (not many chances), and has a really slow drive to work. I’ve even had one dude follow me just to spend 5 minutes yelling at me in my work parking lot because (get this) “he was going to be late to work”. Really? Idiot.
Why is it that you feel that no one should pass you? Is it because you are going 5 to 10% over the speed limit so that means no one else should go any faster than you, is it your job to decide how much over the speed limit everyone else can go? Wouldn’t it be easier to just simply let them pass, you could drive the speed limit in the right lane get to work sooner than driving 40 in the left lane and not have to worry about some Idiot following you to work. There are allot of Idiots on the road that carry guns we see it on the news all the time road rage shootings, you are lucky that all the guy did was yell at you, I hope for your sake that someday you do not tick off the wrong guy that is carrying a gun.
Maybe you should read my post a little closer…
When on a 4 lane hwy, I obey the courtesy rule. I don’t care what speed you want to travel, as long as I’m not in danger.
But I usually drive on a two lane hwy. If your going to tailgate me because I’m not going fast enough for you, I could care less if you pass me. In fact, please do so. I’ll even slow down and pull over a little when you make your move. But if your going to follow me at 65 mph, within a car length, in moderate traffic, usually in the dark, through deer-infested farm and woods (three close calls and one hit in three years), i’m reducing speed, and if you cant get around me and you don’t back off, you can go pound sand.
I’m not deciding what speed is right for everyone else to drive. i could care less. But If some jerk off decides to try to intimidate me to exceed the speed limit more than what I already am and endanger me, I will controll what speed that situation is going to occur at.
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to try to intimidate me to exceed the speed limit more than what I already am
Don’t you just hate it when a semi does that. Nothing in your mirror but grill. 
Ever notice how anyone driving slower than you is an idiot,anyone going faster is a maniac? 
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Ever notice how anyone driving slower than you is an idiot,anyone going faster is a maniac?
Good one, they are the only correct one out of how many people.
One of my pet peves is, 4 lane road 2 cars next to each other going the same speed (just below the speed limit)one slows down the other slows down one speeds up the other speeds up, moving parking lot is what I call it Either be a leader or be the follower, I don’t care just get the F#@* in the same lane.
And the people that will not go over the speed limit no mater what, they will go to the speed limit but most of the time they stay just that 1 to 4 mph under it with cars going by them. I know a couple of people like that and they say well i’m not going to get a ticket. ya that cop is going to pick YOU out of these cars going by you to give YOU the ticket if you go 1 mph over the limit.
I all ways drive 5mph over the limit and I do know alot of cops and they say if you keep it 5 mph or under they will not ticket. One acception the Indain reservations in Canada will give you a ticket for 1kph over the posted limit.
I have a picture in my mind right now of Barney Fife saying ” if you give them 40 they will take 45 if you give them 50 they will take 55, Where does it stop.
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I think what Al is saying… a car driving down the road, doing say 70 mph in a 55 limit area, with an attentive driver at the wheel & on dry pavement and some idiot on a cell phone, pulls out 50 feet in front of him and he smacks him, the speed wasn’t the problem…. yes it will probably be a “factor” in the extent of injuries, but what the real issue is, was the guy not paying attention and pulling out in front of him. Speed hardly ever kills, its the sudden stop or rolling that does it…
big G
BINGO!!!
Also note the word “excessive” in Steve’s post.
I have mentioned driving to fast for conditions I think at least twice.
I think people are reading more into my statements, and adding incorrect conclusions.
Driving well over the speed limit in conditions that make even driving at the speed limit hazardous, is not using proper driving skills.
Driving well over the speed limit doesn’t mean much other than your breaking the law.
There are states/state out there that have no speed limit other than to fast for conditions.
This is the program we get to go though, not sure if web sites are allowed, but I’ll try.
You follow their five steps to good driving and the life you save may be mine.
AL
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Ever notice how anyone driving slower than you is an idiot,anyone going faster is a maniac?
What an AWESOME signature line! 
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I have no patients for someone on my [censored] on the two lane highway I drive most my miles on.
Sorry I did miss that the first time I read your post.
Really guys…..4 pages on how fast your drive!?! 
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You follow their five steps to good driving and the life you save may be mine.
I like that good advise and yes the web site it ok. 
THE FIVE KEYS
AIM HIGH IN STEERING
GET THE BIG PICTURE
KEEP YOUR EYES MOVING
LEAVE YOURSELF AN OUT
MAKE SURE THEY SEE YOU
AIM HIGH IN STEERING
What the heck does that mean 
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AIM HIGH IN STEERING
What the heck does that mean
Sounds like some kind of management B.S.
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AIM HIGH IN STEERING
What the heck does that mean
Sounds like some kind of management B.S.
If you go to the web site http://www.smith-system.com and hold your mouse over each of the 5 key points then look to the right in the red box and it give a definition of each one.
Thanks Steve.
One of the hard ones I had trouble with is the “leave at least 4 seconds between you and the car ahead of you” that they teach.
Hard to do that with all them drivers pulling in ahead of you.
Once you get that out of your system, driving becomes much more relaxed, I find myself hitting the brake much, much less now and driving is a lot smoother and easier to deal with.
While suggesting a defensive driving course to a adult male is probably more risky than asking for his wife/girlfriend for the weekend, its something everybody should look into.
Women should be required to take it……
Just kidding, but yes, everybody should take it imho
Al
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AIM HIGH IN STEERING
What the heck does that mean
Sounds like some kind of management B.S.
I’m sure glad you guys don’t drive professionally to make a living! Any pro driver can explain those 5 driving techniques and any pro driver can show how split speed limits(Trucks 55 cars 65) cause all kinds of problems on the pavement. The split limits are just like someone driving too SLOW for conditions. More often that not a semi’s grille being the only thing you see in a rear view mirror is because someone is too far BELOW THE POSTED LIMIT. The best speed to be driving is 1-2 mph over which in MOST instances is what Traffic is traveling. Like it or not Traffic is what sets the pace that everyone should be going. If you’re in Illinois with a posted 55 limit and traffic is going 70 and trucks are going 65 pick one of those 2 speeds and stick with it. You’ll be MUCH safer. The LEO’s aren’t going to even look at you if you’re going with the flow but they will ticket you when you stand out from the crowd by going too fast OR too slow.
In general common sense and driving courtesy are what keep our roads safe and occupants alive. I’ve gone 1.6 million miles without an accident or a ticket using those 7 techniques. If you ever want to see Lots of STUPID driving come spend a couple of days with me or any other semi driver that drives correctly. And yes there are some bad wannabe professional drivers and there are instances that are exceptions to every technique; sorta like fishing! Sorry for my ranting.
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AIM HIGH IN STEERING
What the heck does that mean
Sounds like some kind of management B.S.
I’m sure glad you guys don’t drive professionally to make a living! Any pro driver can explain those 5 driving techniques and any pro driver can show how split speed limits(Trucks 55 cars 65) cause all kinds of problems on the pavement. The split limits are just like someone driving too SLOW for conditions. More often that not a semi’s grille being the only thing you see in a rear view mirror is because someone is too far BELOW THE POSTED LIMIT. The best speed to be driving is 1-2 mph over which in MOST instances is what Traffic is traveling. Like it or not Traffic is what sets the pace that everyone should be going. If you’re in Illinois with a posted 55 limit and traffic is going 70 and trucks are going 65 pick one of those 2 speeds and stick with it. You’ll be MUCH safer. The LEO’s aren’t going to even look at you if you’re going with the flow but they will ticket you when you stand out from the crowd by going too fast OR too slow.
In general common sense and driving courtesy are what keep our roads safe and occupants alive. I’ve gone 1.6 million miles without an accident or a ticket using those 7 techniques. If you ever want to see Lots of STUPID driving come spend a couple of days with me or any other semi driver that drives correctly. And yes there are some bad wannabe professional drivers and there are instances that are exceptions to every technique; sorta like fishing! Sorry for my ranting.
Sorry, did’nt mean to step on your dick!
Some people just got no humor in em. 
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In general common sense and driving courtesy are what keep our roads safe
no problem stuart
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