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Speed and Traffic Accidents
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| The effect of speed on traffic accidents |
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The effect of driving speed on traffic accidents (both their occurrence and
their results) is disputed. Some claim that excessive speed does not play a key
role in traffic accidents, while others hold that excessive speed is the root
of all evil.
An analysis of traffic accidents yields the following two noteworthy facts:
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Speed is a factor in almost every traffic accident.
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Speed causes approximately 20% of fatal traffic accidents.
One common error regarding speed is considering only cases of driving at speeds
higher than the legal speed limit.
It is very important to keep in mind that the maximum speed limit is just that
– a maximum. Drivers must adapt their speed to the road conditions, even if
this entails driving at considerably under the legal limit. Many and diverse
factors should influence the driver’s decision in this matter: the type of
road; whether the road is new, or old and in bad condition, or wet, or oily.
Visibility is important – whether there is fog, or a road curve that restricts
drivers’ field of vision. Whether a pedestrian crossing is nearby and the state
of the vehicle are also important factors.
As stated above, speed is a factor in almost every traffic accident. It
unquestionably has a great effect on the gravity of an accident when one
occurs. No one disputes that when an accident occurs, the faster the driver is
going, the worse the accident. For example, it is entirely possible that a
driver traveling 100 kmph will cause a fatal accident, a driver traveling 90
kmph will cause an accident with a serious injury, a driver traveling 80 kmph
will cause a light injury, and a driver traveling 70 kmph will cause no injury
at all, because in the latter case, one of the vehicles involved in the
accident will manage to stop in time, swerve, etc.
Other risk factors in speed:
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The greater the speed, the longer the distance that the driver will cover
before coming to a halt.
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The greater the speed the stronger the forces acting on the vehicle: for
example, centrifugal force, which tends to push the vehicle off the road on a
curve.
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The greater the speed, the more difficult it is for the vehicle’s systems – its
suspension, tires, and other auxiliary systems – to restrain the vehicle, and
keep it in its traffic lane.
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The greater the speed, the more restricted the driver’s field of vision. He is
unable to distinguish objects appearing at the sides of the road, and it
therefore takes longer for him to become aware of them.
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The energy of a collision is directly proportional to the square of the
vehicle’s speed.
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The effectiveness of the vehicle’s safety systems decreases as the energy of a
collision increases.
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As speed increases, the tires have poorer grip on a wet road, thereby hampering
the driver’s control of the vehicle.
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Greater speed requires more expertise from the driver; not all drivers have the
necessary capabilities.
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The probability of a pedestrian fatality is directly proportional to the cube
of the vehicle’s speed.
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Increasing the maximum speed will increase the differences between the speeds
at which different vehicles travel, which in itself constitutes a safety
hazard.
Many studies in many different locations around the world have proved beyond
all doubt that speed kills. Particularly telling were events in the early
1970s, during the fuel crisis. Maximum speed limits were lowered in order to
save fuel. It was discovered that slower speeds saved not only fuel, but also
many lives.
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| The speed limit |
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As a rule, the speed limit is as listed in Regulation 54 of the Traffic
Regulations, according to the various types of vehicle and roads, as listed
below:
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Urban Road |
Urban Road with a Sign B-20 |
Non-urban Road |
Non-urban Road with a Sign B-20 |
Non-urban road with a built-up dividing area
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High-speed Road |
High-speed Road with a Sign B-20 |
| Motor vehicle, except as in sections 2-5 |
50 |
As stated on the sign |
80 |
As stated on the sign |
90 |
110 |
As stated on the sign |
| A bus, other than a minibus |
50 |
As stated on the sign |
80 |
As stated on the sign |
90 |
110 |
As stated on the sign, but not more than 100 |
| A commercial vehicle whose total permitted weight is more than 12,000 kilograms |
50 |
As stated on the sign, but not more than 50 |
80 |
As stated on the sign, but not more than 80 |
80 |
80 |
As stated on the sign, but not more than 80 |
| A motorcycle with an engine volume of up to 50 cubic centimeters |
50 |
As stated on the sign, but not more than 50 |
50 |
As stated on the sign, but not more than 50 |
50 |
Not allowed to drive on the road |
Not allowed to drive on the road |
| A slow vehicle, tractor, or mobile machine |
40 |
As stated on the sign, but not more than 40 |
40 |
As stated on the sign, but not more than 40 |
40 |
Not allowed to drive on the road |
Not allowed to drive on the road |
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| Speed signs |
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| Sign B-24
Entering an urban road or urban roads
This sign limits speed to 50 kmph. The sign remains in effect until canceled by
a B-25 Sign.
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| Sign B-25
End of an urban road or urban roads
After this sign, the maximum speed is 80 kmph or 90 kmph, depending on the type
of road.
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| Sign B-54
Entering a high-speed road
This sign permits speeds up to 110 kmph.
In order to avoid misunderstanding, let it be noted that almost every
high-speed road sign (Sign B-54), which apparently permits driving at speeds up
to 110 kmph, is accompanied by a Sign B-20, which limits speed to 90 kmph on
the Ayalon Highway, and to 100 kmph on other high-speed roads. Let it also be
noted that the number of high-speed roads in Israel is quite limited: Highway 1
(the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway) from Sha’ar Haggai in the direction of Tel
Aviv, and continuing on the Ayalon Highway; Highway 4 on the section between
Tel Aviv and Ashdod; and Highway 6 (Yitzhak Rabin Highway, also called the
Cross Israel Highway), a high-speed road on which the speed limit really is 110
kmph. Highway 2 (the coastal highway), in the section between Haifa and Hadera,
is not a high-speed road.
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| Sign B-20
Speed limit on the section of road ahead An intersection cancels this
sign, as do Sign B-25 and Sign B-54. A driver on an urban road (Sign B-24) who
passes a Sign B-20 with the number 70 on it is permitted to drive up to a
maximum of 70 kmph, until the sign is canceled, for example by an intersection.
After passing an intersection, unless Sign B-20 is repeated, the speed limit is
no longer 70 kmph, but only 50 kmph, as is usual on an urban road.
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| Enforcing the speed limit |
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If the police were to conduct a short survey of drivers, most would say that
police enforcement of the Traffic Regulations focuses on speeding offenses. The
truth, however, is otherwise. Only 20% of police enforcement deals with speed
limits. The police have a number of devices for measuring speed, listed as
follows:
An LTI 20-20 laser speedometer is a small handheld device, which aims a
laser beam at the target vehicle. When the beam returns to the device’s
receiving set, the device translates the data for the speed of the vehicle and
for the distance at which the vehicle was measured. The police use the LTI
20-20 laser speedometer, which is carried by hand, to enforce the traffic laws
on urban and interurban roads. The device does not photograph the vehicle; the
policeman stops the offending driver on the spot.
Tests have shown that the laser speedometer is extremely reliable. The results
of measurements using this device constitute admissible evidence in court; test
findings have successfully stood up in the Supreme Court a number of times.
A Multanova 6F electronic speedometer for vehicles is a speedometer
based on the Doppler principle. This device is placed either inside the
vehicle, or on a tripod outside the police car. It can be operated either
manually or automatically. The device photographs vehicles traveling over the
speed limit. The device currently uses conventional 35-millimeter film, but the
police are planning to switch to digital photography.
Stationary cameras for automatic enforcement of speed limits – In order
to extend the war against speed violations, the police have recently stationed 6F-A
Multanova electronic speedometers on poles at various locations. These
cameras take photographs 24 hours a day, using conventional 35-millimeter film.
Each film is enough for 300-400 pictures. The device is tireless; it
photographs every single vehicle exceeding the speed limit for which it has
been set. While it takes 3-4 weeks before the offender receives his ticket, he
can be absolutely sure that it will arrive.
It should be understood that the police issue tickets for one simple reason –
they are convinced that speed is a very important factor in the occurrence and
severity of traffic accidents. Furthermore, it is clear that stricter
enforcement of speed limits will cause people in Israel to drive slower and
according to the law, which will affect the number of traffic accidents,
injuries, and fatalities.
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| The electronic road |
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A number of years ago, the Israel Police decided to implement the electronic
road project. This involved a road with speed cameras installed along the
sides. The cameras photograph "speeders" – motorists who exceed the speed
limit.
The first road chosen was Highway 4, from Ashkelon in the south to Nahariya in
the north. Since the Traffic Department’s goal was to lower the curve of
accidents, injuries, and fatalities (rather than enforcement, which is merely a
tool), accidents were the main criterion in choosing the road. The traffic
loads on the road and the technical problems in placing poles were also
considered.
Speed cameras were then installed along another road: Highway 40, from Masmia
to Beer Sheva. Highway 85, from Acre to Carmiel, was recently added to the
electronic system.
Additional sophisticated cameras will in future be placed along Israel’s roads,
which will shorten the time elapsing between committing the violation and
receiving the ticket.
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| The number of cameras and the speed enforcement threshold |
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This double title highlights the connection between the two matters. The lower
the speed limit being enforced, the more photographs are taken. As a rule, the
police do not give tickets for speeds of less than 10 kmph over the speed
limit. This means that on a road on which the speed limit is 50 kmph,
enforcement begins at 61 kmph. On a road with Sign B-20, which permits a
maximum speed of 80 kmph, enforcement begins at 91 kmph. The enforcement
threshold may be higher than dictated by this rule, but never lower.
The number of speeding motorists is known. The Central Bureau of Statistics
occasionally surveys traffic and measures speed. Statistics for the proportion
of drivers breaking the law are available for many roads. In theory, it is
possible to photograph all of them by setting an enforcement threshold of 11
kmph above the speed limit and photographing all violators. Such a volume of
offenders, however, would cause the system to collapse immediately, since there
are not enough personnel to develop and decode the photographs. On the other
hand, it can be categorically decided that this automatic enforcement will
apply solely to serious offenders, for which a court summons is prescribed. The
system can then effectively handle the load.
Keep in mind that the police’s ability to employ these cameras is limited. Due
to lack of manpower, the police are unable to attend to the cameras and remove
the film more than once a week. The main problem is not coming to the site and
removing the film; the difficulty lies in decoding the violations. A policeman
sits in front of the film and looks through each picture, verifies that an
offense has really been committed (since the vehicle that activated the camera
can be positively identified), and verifies that the vehicle license number is
clearly legible (is not erased, dirty, concealed, etc.). He then types the
vehicle number into the computer. The problem of enforcement thresholds stems
from this limitation. If an enforcement threshold of less than 11 kmph above
the speed limit is used, the film will run out after 3-4 hours, and the camera
will be useless for the remaining six days of the week (note: the film used is
not the usual store-bought film with 36 photographs; it is a long film, with
350-400 photographs). On the other hand, a high enforcement threshold can be
set, for example 30 kmph or 40 kmph above the speed limit. The film will then
last for a week, during which all those exceeding that enforcement threshold
will be photographed. The problem with enforcement of this sort is that the
public receives a harmful and incorrect message – that the police enforce the
law only against those exceeding the speed limit by 30 kmph or more; i.e., up
to 30 kmph over the speed limit is acceptable, because the police do not give
tickets for it.
For that reason, the police use sophisticated methods. The enforcement
threshold is altered for different times and places. One day, the enforcement
threshold is 15 kmph higher than the speed limit; on another, it is 35 kmph
higher than the speed limit.
Cameras and poles
Dozens of poles are deployed along the electronic roads. Some are real poles,
on which cameras can be placed, while others are dummies. The two kinds look
identical. Today, not even experts can distinguish which is a real pole, on
which a camera can be placed, and which is a dummy – a sort of scarecrow, which
serves solely for deterrence.
Research
It is well known that a picture is worth a thousand words. For this reason,
instead of wasting many words, it is enough to take a look at a graph showing
the reduction in traffic accidents on Highway 4, kilometers 132-150, during
1996-2002. The picture clearly shows a decline in the yearly number of traffic
accidents, regardless of random factors. For example, nine incomprehensible and
unexplained accidents occurred in March 2001. These accidents were examined,
and no reason whatsoever was found for them. Nothing special happened on the
road during that month, traffic was not particularly heavy, no special work was
done on the road, nor was any other factor found that could explain that number
of accidents.
The decline in accidents is also visible in the following table:
| Year |
Average No. of Accidents
for the Year |
| 1996 |
7.5 |
| 1997 |
5.4 |
| 1998 |
6.7 |
| 1999 |
4.2 |
| 2000 |
2.7 |
| 2001 |
2.7 |
| 2002 |
3.1 |
The decline is not random; it has continued consistently for years, with one
main exception in 1998.
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| Speed limit enforcement policy |
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In general, enforcement is for 11 kmph or more above the speed limit. If the
speed limit on a road is 50 kmph, enforcement begins at 61 kmph. On a road with
an 80 kmph speed limit, enforcement is for 91 kmph or more. There may be
exceptions to this rule, but only in a more permissive direction.
The policemen dealing with this problem are very familiar with it. They know
when tickets can be written only for speeds of 30 kmph over the speed limit,
while still leaving themselves a busy workload, and when they can write tickets
starting at 11 kmph over the speed limit. The fact that the police are
criticized for being both too strict and too lenient is evidence that they have
chosen a golden mean.
On the one hand, it is claimed that writing tickets for speeds of 11 kmph or 15
kmph above the speed limit is absurd, and tickets should be written only for
speeds of 20-25 kmph above the speed limit. On the other hand, quite a few
professionals in the field do not understand why the police feel free to ignore
the first 10 kmph above the speed limit, and do not apply enforcement to those
speeds. They claim that good enforcement must begin five or six kmph above the
speed limit, thereby teaching drivers that the law is the law.
The police are sticking to their policy of enforcement for 11 kmph or more
above the speed limit, because they believe it is the right thing to do. On the
one hand, they do not wish to make drivers keep one eye on their speedometers,
or penalize them for a minimal deviation from the speed limit. On the other
hand, they do not wish to allow drivers to run wild on the roads; the law must
be seen to have teeth.
Another noteworthy point is that the police grant drivers an acclimatization
range. In the transition from an interurban area, where the speed limit is 80
kmph or 90 kmph, to an urban area (50 kmph), the police will not give a driver
a ticket before giving him several hundred meters to get used to the new speed
limit.
Since, like any measuring device, the police’s measuring devices have a certain
level of accuracy, the police give drivers the benefit of any doubt. There are
a number of penalties, and on the borderline between a higher and lower fine,
or between a court summons and a fine, the police are always inclined to choose
the less severe penalty.
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| Penalties |
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The Knesset determines the penalties, not the Israel Police. The following are
the prescribed penalties:
| In an urban area |
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| 0-20 kmph above the speed limit |
The option of a NIS 250 fine |
| 21-30 kmph above the speed limit |
The option of a NIS 750 fine |
| 31 kmph or more above the speed limit |
A compulsory court summons |
| In an interurban area |
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| 0-25 kmph above the speed limit |
The option of a NIS 250 fine |
| 26-40 kmph above the speed limit |
The option of a NIS 750 fine |
| 41 kmph or more above the speed limit |
A compulsory court summons |
Let it be noted that in any case of a court summons, the police are entitled to
immediately suspend the driver’s license for 30 days as a preventative
administrative measure, in order to keep a dangerous driver off the roads.
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| Why destroy? |
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Some drivers are inclined to accuse the camera of the offense they have
committed, and sometimes try to take their frustration out on it. Let it be
known that all cameras are equipped with shock and heat sensors. Any attempt to
damage them is reported immediately to the Traffic Department control station,
which immediately sends a police car to the spot. The criminal is usually
caught in the act.
Penalties for damaging cameras are severe, and include jail terms and high
fines.
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| Appealing an automatic ticket |
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If a driver asks for a court trial, and requires the photograph taken by an
automatic camera for this purpose, he must send a request to the unit listed at
the top of the ticket, asking for the photograph, according to the numbers
appearing on the ticket.
If the vehicle owner listed in the ticket was not driving the vehicle at the
time the violation was committed, he must write a letter to the traffic unit
that sent him the ticket, listing his personal particulars, and attach the
driver’s particulars (ID card no., driver’s license number). He must include a
statement by the driver that he was indeed driving the vehicle at the time that
the violation was committed. The ticket will then be removed from his record.
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