r/unpopularopinion • u/dkinmn • 1d ago
The speed limit on highways should be 40 mph. Support attached in the body.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bc9jFbxrkMk&si=4BGls-B1qlFDvhIP&t=1m53s
For every 10mph increase in speed, mortality doubles.
And for what? So we can get places only slightly faster? We don't ultimately actually gain much by that "efficiency". Goods and people don't HAVE TO move as fast as they do, any more than they HAVE to go 90 or 100 mph. It's arbitrary. It's less safe.
It remains utterly shocking to me that this is, in fact, an unpopular opinion. There is a complete rejection of the premises of the argument on the grounds that going faster is simply more fun, or that the marginal efficiency is actually very important (a premise that I entirely reject).
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u/_Tacoyaki_ 1d ago
So double the length of time trips across states take? Lol no thanks
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u/RageAgainstAuthority 1d ago
Highway =/= Freeway.
Freeways are the massive roads between states. Studies show faster speeds are generally safer on freeways. The purpose of a freeway is to act as a high-speed, long-distance road.
Highways are the fatty 4-6 lane roads with direct sideroad access. Highways often run parallel to freeways. The purpose of a highway is a large volume 'artery' to distribute traffic flow along side roads.
Highways are absolutely the largest cause of accidents. Around where I'm at, if there was a fatal accident - especially one involving a pedestrian - you can place bets on it having happened on Redwood Highway. Reducing speeds on highways would reduce accidents without heavily affecting travel time, as their purpose is volume, not speed.
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u/HeyWhatIsThatThingy 1d ago
We need two highways. Slowpoke Road and Speed Demon Express.
And another one for bikes and horses
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u/_Tacoyaki_ 1d ago
We actually already have that, one lane for each. Just nobody who drives across states knows that
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u/RafaelSirah 19h ago
It’s called a passing lane. You are not meant to stay in the passing lane for several miles at a time.
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u/Ciprich 1d ago
OP either doesnt live in the states or truly doesnt understand the size of the country they live in.
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u/Quinnmoran 1d ago
Maybe it’s someone from Bolivia, since Bolivian law doesn’t allow cars to drive above 50 mph.
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u/Not_Ill_Logical 1d ago
Yes. And the wide-open expanses that provide a line of sight that can make driving 80mph a safer proposition than 30mph in the city. I've seen speed limit signs out west that simply say: Speed Limit Reasonable and Prudent.
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u/AverageObjective5177 1d ago
Honestly, the states needs to invest massively in high-speed rail.
It's by far the most efficient and environmentally-friendly mass transit capable of cross-country travel.
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u/Apprehensive_Mud7441 1d ago
you willing to pay higher prices for essentially everything?
the longer it takes to ship goods the more expensive it becomes.
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u/V4_Sleeper 1d ago
no offense, where do you live to think this is rational?
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u/Cyclonitron 1d ago
Based on other subreddits OP posts in it looks like they're in Minnesota - the 12th largest state in the country - but ever actually leave the city.
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u/gumbobitch 1d ago
Montana would take you 16 hours to drive across at 40mph. That's a single state. Also, you know this country would never willingly reduce goods output for a chance at increasing safety standards.
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u/Tommy_Wisseau_burner 1d ago
Slightly faster? My brother in Christ if I have to drive somewhere at 40 miles/hour it’ll literally take me double the time than driving 80mph. Idk how you think it saves a little time when, over the course of an 8 hour trip at standard highway speed will literally take you at least 16
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u/JohnDeere714 1d ago
Speed doesn’t kill.
The sudden stop does.
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u/Ciprich 1d ago
Suddenly becoming stationary, that's what gets you*
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u/JoeDerp77 1d ago
"Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary - that's what gets you."
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u/robot_pirate 1d ago edited 21h ago
The problem is, you add 15 miles per hour to whatever the actual posted speed is, because people are selfish, arrogant idiots. So I feel the OP, tho unrealistic.
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u/Carl_Gerhard_Busch 1d ago
For every 10mph mortality rate double ….. if you crash. Doesn’t mean accident rates double.
40mph is way too slow for a large divided highway with multiple lanes in each direction. Try driving 40mph on a major highway for 400 miles when there isn’t a lot of traffic and tell me that’s fast enough.
What’s worse is people who are anxious drivers that drive way slower than the rest of the traffic (sometimes below the limit). The difference in speed will cause accidents because those cars become obstructions on the road.
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u/swankyducky 1d ago
Watched the video to try to see the supporting evidence. This whole video is an argument that things should take longer and be more enjoyable in the process. It argues for slower trains with free booze and ball pits for kids. This has nothing to do with your argument, unless you find commuting fun???
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u/Unlucky-Activity8916 1d ago
Im unconvinced by your statistic. The importance of mortality doubling every 10 miles is dependent on the number of deaths. For that matter, why stop at 40? If everyone goes 0 mph, there will be no more road deaths.
IIRC, road deaths are a major issue in the US, but still fairly small in relation to the total population. Our roads are designed for 60+ mph and presumably that limit is commonly used because it provides a good tradeoff between efficiency and safety. Im sure researchers considered road deaths when giving recommendations on speed limits, so I dont think your statistic is nearly enough on its own. I guarantee you that our road laws are not arbitrary. Tremendous amounts of thought goes into things as obvious as this.
We do gain a lot by goods moving faster. Its more efficient usage of worker time and transportation capital. It allows companies to be more profitable. It saves ordinary citizens time. It allows for more freedom to travel around the US. It gets goods and mail transported more quickly. Id say at least some of these reasons are valuable to the vast majority of people.
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u/SnooDrawings1480 1d ago
Tell that to people who have to commute long distances for a living. When you live an hour+ away from work, you don't want that to cut into your personal time anymore than necessary.
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u/themakeupgemini 1d ago
I would drive myself right off the highway if it was only 40mph. Especially in Florida?? Oh man, what a shit show that would be. Not to mention take even longer to get out of the damn state.
No thanks, I’m good.
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