Over the past decades, a vast amount of transport has appeared on the roads, and the upward trend continues. This often leads to the formation of traffic jams, besides, it may be a cause of the violation of speed limits and accidents. Researchers state that “reducing speed limits often leads to a decrease in the injury and fatality accident counts” (Yannis and Cohen 46). Thus, most countries have laws that aim to control the speed of vehicles. However, sometimes these laws are too strict and excessively limiting. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the need for the limitation of speed limits.
In this matter, the government should always rely on the current situation on the roads. For example, there are highways where speed limits do not make sense: these roads are designed for fast movement. However, even within the city, there is no need to restrict freedom of movement too much. The more restrictions drivers have, the stronger will be their desire to break the rules. Besides, if the traffic speed is too low, it can adversely affect the life of the city as a whole. People will be late often, spend too much time on the road, and it can cause them negative emotions and even depression.
Thus, speed limits are essential, but the government needs to use them very carefully. Drivers should undoubtedly be responsible for how they behave on the road. In some situations, they must travel at speed much lower than prescribed by a speed limit. However, too strict rules and powerlessness towards the law will only worsen the situation. Only in case the government succeeds in identifying a speed acceptable for the city, the restrictions will be reasonable and productive.
Work Cited
Yannis, George and Simon Cohen. Traffic Safety. John Wiley & Sons, 2016.