Alistair J Murray wrote:
> Just zis Guy, you know? wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 26 May 2005 16:53:40 +0100, Alistair J Murray
> wrote:
>
>
> [...safe unlimited roads...]
>
>
>>>Which is tragic, considering the Montana experience.
>>
>>So you say. Sounds like question-begging to me...
>
>
> Perhaps, but Montana provides the only hard data we have.
>
>

I apologise in advance for the crosspost but would like the input of our
esteemed US counterparts in this discussion. I have of course included
as closely as I can match the same or similar two groups. It is
basically a question of Montana providing the hard evidence that is
needed to drop speed limits, below is my initial take on the situation
and a repost to the above, this is opinion and I look forward to views.


Montana had a reduction in fatalities from 1995 to 1996 of 11% the year
the speed limit was removed. It is noted that the fatalities in the
later part of the year are reduced[1], what time in 95 were the
restrictions removed?

Why did Montana have a 31% increase in fatalities for the period 1996/97[1]?

Montana opposed the original 55mph speed limit imposed as a result of
the fuel crisis. They were forced to accept it due to federal government
guidelines. These same government guidelines saw a reduction across the
board of fatalities in states that actively enforced the limit.

A bit of googling uncovers anecdotal evidence that these laws were not
overly enforced in Montana. During the period before the abolition of
the speed limit Montana imposed a stiff $5 fine on speeders. Which
became known as the fuel tax, no points or record was kept of those
found speeding.

Were speed limits routinely ignored in Montana?

When speed limits were re-introduced in the main the automobile
associations cried foul and pointed without fail to the figure -11% of
95/96 which up to that point was already in decline. Presumably then the
+31% of 96/97 was an outlier? Since then the situation has got worse. Is
it the case that unless the limits are enforced there is no point
posting them? In which case the UK is for once a leader, speed three or
four times and you are out.

Since then Montana has had an increase and a number of rather
interesting public policies regarding speeding, including accusations of
get out of jail free cards etc.

The question is this, is Montana representative of the rest of the world?

France, Portugal, flagrant disregard of speed limits. High fatalities.

Nordic countries, obeyance of limits, low fatalities.


[1]http://leg.state.mt.us/content/audit/download/98l-11.pdf&e=9707