According to a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, increases in speed limits over the past 20 years have resulted in over 33,000 deaths. In fact, in 2013, speed limit increases caused 1,900 additional traffic deaths, a number that cancels out the number of lives saved due to frontal airbags that year.
Individual states, including the state of Wisconsin, set their own speed limits. During the 1970s and 1980s, the federal government limited speed limits to a maximum of 55 mph through threats of withholding federal funds, out of concern over fuel availability. In 1987, Congress relaxed this restriction and allowed states to increase 65 mph on rural interstate highways; by 1995, Congress had repealed the restrictions on speed limits for states altogether. After this occurred, researchers predicted that traffic fatalities would increase, and they were correct.
Today, most states have speed limits well beyond 55 mph, and in six states, there are 80 mph. In the state of Texas, drivers can legally drive as fast as 85 mph. As a result, at least 33,000 additional traffic deaths have occurred, at least based on the number of deaths that would have been expected had each state’s maximum speed limit remained unchanged since 1993. In reality, the study probably underestimates the number of deaths, simply because the researchers focused only maximum speed limits on rural interstate highways. This is the case due to variations in the states changing their speed limits on certain roads and not on others, or maintaining roads with one speed limit on some roads and another speed limit on some roads.
As this post illustrates, there are still far too many deaths attributable to motor vehicle accidents throughout the United States, some of which are due to increased speed limits. Boller & Vaughan are Wisconsin motor vehicle accident lawyers who dedicate their practice to protecting the interests of individuals who have been fatally injured in traffic crashes, as well as their surviving family members. Call our office today to set up your free consultation and learn what options are available to you.
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We live in Friendship, Wisconsin, and Boller & Vaughan came to our doorstep to discuss our mother’s wrongful death claim on a Saturday morning. Not only were we pleased with the large recovery, we were so thankful to have lawyers who were willing to explain to us every twist and turn along the way. It is great to know there is a law firm that will fight for the rights of elderly people all over Wisconsin.
Mr. Boller and Ms. Vaughan were incredible in working on my case and my daughter’s case. I was out of work and in the hospital with a new baby. Mr. Boller and Ms. Vaughan protected our rights and it was a pleasure to work with them. I hope never to be in another motor vehicle accident, however, if I am and I am injured, I will contact Boller & Vaughan immediately.
I was referred to Michelle through a friend. I have never had a better experience. It took a little over a year to get my settlement but the staff there stayed in constant contact and kept me in the loop. Oh, and Michelle actually got me MORE money than we discussed. I will refer anyone to this firm. Words cannot do justice the thanks that I have for Michelle and her staff (Mary especially) thank you guys so much!
After my husband died as a result of a motor vehicle accident, Boller & Vaughan spent countless hours talking with me, meeting with me in person, and making sure that I was okay. The drunk driver who hit us did not have any insurance, and we had to make a claim through our own insurance. Boller & Vaughan was fantastic at explaining the law to me and the handling of our claims.
After my son was injured in a daycare setting, Ms. Vaughan took the time to thoroughly investigate our case and my son’s injuries. Michele was approachable and had answers to our questions. Talking with her helped to relieve many of our anxieties.
