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SPEED KILLS: A LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC FATALITIES AND THE 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT *
Author(s) -
Meier Kenneth J.,
Morgan David R.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
review of policy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.832
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1541-1338
pISSN - 1541-132X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1541-1338.1981.tb00383.x
Subject(s) - speed limit , transport engineering , limit (mathematics) , dispersion (optics) , statistics , environmental science , engineering , mathematics , physics , mathematical analysis , optics
An interrupted time‐series design is used to analyze the impact of the 55 mph speed limit on U.S. traffic fatalities over the period 1950 to 1980. In addition to speed such potential effects on highway fatalities as safety improvements, decreased speed dispersion, and decreased travel are examined. We conclude that the overwhelming proportion of the decline in traffic fatalities from 1973 to 1974 must be attributed to the change in the speed limit.