Highway Safety

 Highway Safety

Road accidents have taken away millions of lives globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports show that about 1.25 million accident-related deaths occur every year (Wegman 66). Furthermore, the organization has reported that about 3400 fatalities and 50 million injuries are caused by road accidents annually (Wegman 66). The figures have motivated experts, engineers, policymakers, and drivers to look for ways of remaining safe on the road. In addition, the increasing number of casualties associated with road accidents have attracted the interest of researchers with studies being carried out on ways of improving safety. One of the factors that have been implicated in the increase of number of road accidents is speeding (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). The manner in which the issue of speeding relates to the chances of a car accident has attracted the interest of experts, engineers and the general public. To some people, overspeeding should be regarded as one of the principal causes of road accidents. There is another category of people who are of the opinion that high speeds alone cannot be linked to the rising risk of accidents and fatalities (Aarts and van Schagen 215). However, everyone should agree that limitations of speed are an important tool that can be used to enhance highway safety and prevent accidents.

Speeding is one of the issues correlated with fatal car accidents that occur on highways when one is driving above the recommended limits or traveling fast in unfavorable road conditions (Aarts and van Schagen 216). Stakeholders are yet to reach a consensus on the actual link between car crashes and speeding because of the diverse issues that are linked to accidents on highways. Aarts and van Schagen noted that there are several issues such as weather conditions, car stability, and driving styles that may increase the risk of accidents (216). These concerns notwithstanding, there exist the preset speed limits on major highways, urban centers and residential areas with the primary objective of reducing crashes. The signs inform drivers about the speed regulations that they should obey. There are two primary reasons for placing speed signs on highways. First, they can improve highway safety by reducing the risk of motor accidents. Second, motorists get immediate and accurate information about the allowed speeds at specific areas of highways and freeways from the signs.

Speed limits may also lower the chances of a driver getting involved in a serious accident on major highways. Recent research conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) showed that the decision to lower speed limits on major city streets by about 4 mph could significantly reduce the number of accidents and enhance the safety of pedestrians, drivers, motorists, and cyclists (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). The IIHS researchers focused on Boston, Massachusetts, where the governments had reduced the speed limits within the city from 30 mph to 25 mph following the state laws that were passed in 2016 (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). The limitation was also applied to the main municipal roads, business districts, and densely populated regions. During the study, the researchers examined the speed at which vehicles traveled and the prevalence of accidents in Boston (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). Additional data was collected from the Providence, Rhode Island, where similar changes on speed limits had not been implemented. By comparing the data from the two regions, the IIHS researchers found out that reduced speeds lower the risk of crashes and severe injuries to other road users (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). IIHS noted that the lack of speed limits allowed drivers to engage in reckless and fast driving and to race even under poor road conditions (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). When drivers speed in densely populated areas, they expose road users and pedestrians to increased risk of accidents (Aarts and van Schagen 216).

The placement of speed limit signs on major roads and highways can also reduce speed differentials and minimize the braking distance and force. In most instances, the causality of road carnage has been associated with the speed differentials, braking force, and distance required to bring the car to a stop (Brubacher 5). However, when drivers know the recommended speeds on a given section of the road, they will drive in a manner that does not expose others to any kind of danger. In addition, drivers who tend to travel fast and change lanes from time to time may be encouraged to slow down and be more careful on highways (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). In the end, the dangers associated with reckless driving and the need to move from one lane to the other at high speeds will be lessened. However, when traveling at higher speeds, stopping the car abruptly can be a major challenge (Aarts and van Schagen 216).