For the simple reason that you are more likely to have an accident the faster you drive. If NSL limits were removed then many drivers would begin to drive faster and faster. Average speeds would increase and the boy racers would be haring along at ridiculous speeds. This means that there would be an increased incident of bends being approached too fast and cars either leaving the road on the nearside - or hitting opposing traffic as they drift across the road. Yes, that happens now to an extent - but increasing speeds would increase the incident.
See above. I don't know. But it is clear that the vast majority of drivers do not exceed speed limits by a vast amount (other than on motorways). I drive thousands of miles each year on NSL roads and the vast majority of drivers remain below 70 mph. Now there will be bends that are not negotiable at that speed, and some drivers will make the mistake and crash, - but there will be dramatically more bends that are not negotiable at 90 mph and if those sort of speeds are permitted - then many more mistakes will result in crashes.
Impossible to say - what stats exist are not accurate.
I honestly don't believe so Adrian. And if I'm so alone in believing that speed limits work - why does every civilised country in the world use them?
Kev
