Higher speeds equal more accidents

For what it is worth, here is my take on the Highway 95 fatal accident picture:

In 2001, 86 percent of Highway 95 fatalities were on dry roads; in 2004, it dropped to 76 percent.

In 2001, 76 percent of fatalities were in the daytime; in 2004, it dropped to 52 percent.

In 2001, 62 percent of fatalities were on two-lane sections; in 2004, it jumped to 76 percent.

In 2001, 24 percent of fatalities were in 45 mph zones; in 2004, it dropped to 7 percent.

In 2001, 10 percent of fatalities were in 55 mph zones; in 2004, it stayed at 10 percent.

In 2001, 29 percent of fatalities were in 60 mph speed limit zones; in 2004, it dropped to 21 percent.

In 2001, 24 percent of fatalities were in 65 mph zones; in 2004, it jumped to 62 percent.

In 2001, 62 percent of the fatalities in two-lane sections were in 60 or 65 mph zones; in 2004, it jumped to 77 percent.

Summary: The majority of fatalities on Highway 95 are during daylight hours, on dry, two-lane sections. There has been a big increase in the percentage of fatalities on the two-lane sections posted with 60 or 65 mph speed limits. This is due, in my opinion, to the ridiculous viewpoint of our engineers, or someone, that justify posting higher speed limit signs because people are traveling that speed anyway.

No highway causes accidents. It can only contribute when someone makes a mistake.

LARRY SMITH

Sandpoint