[Article] Driving Faster Takes Longer

stealthytolkien

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It's not the speed, it's the sudden stop.

It'd be interesting if someone has/will perform an analysis of left lane usage for passing in the US versus other countries.

I am strongly convinced that if left lanes were used properly, there'd be less dangerous weaving, fewer slowdowns, and thus fewer accidents.
I am willing to die on this hill but speed itself can absolutely be the reason to cause fatalities because most people who drive at recklessly high speeds and do high speed maneuvers are not skilled enough to control their vehicle in (an already reduced) time if a hazard strikes. Another more important factor is the magnitude of impact. A 60mph collision is factually less damaging to both parties than a 90mph collision.

I agree with most responses on this thread. Left lane hogging vehicles should be ticketed more often. Don’t match my passing speed when I’m trying to pass you. But, nothing is a good excuse to go much faster than the rest of the traffic because not only are the drivers creating a risky situation for themselves but also for other drivers.
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JohnFoxeSheets

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Interesting that none of the comments here are about the absurdity of the author's pondering. He is considering the likelihood of death (multiplied by the duration of the premature death) as a delay in the time to get somewhere. There are a bunch of assumptions and a few facts that he throws into the mix, but that's the basis of the argument.

Putting aside any metaphysical discussions about life after death and such, (attempting to) factor the likelihood of speed-related death is certainly provocative (and morbid), but ignores the far more obvious: higher speed driving is less efficient, resulting in more refueling stops (ICE and BEV). Additionally, higher speed driving requires much greater attention and is more likely to result a needing breaks. I recall decades ago a colleague in France telling me that on long drives he often was passed by drivers speeding much faster than the rest of traffic, only to subsequently meet up again with them at the next rest stop. This leap-frogging happened all along the drive...
 

Coffs

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A long time ago in a galaxy far far away. 300 mile trip taken every week. 5+ hours without stopping. Then one time took the bike, 3 hours with 3 stops. Sorry to wreck the algorithm.
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