1 in 5

[woody]

I reckon I see 3-4 accidents a week in the 50mph average speed section of the M74 roadworks, many more than the same section of motorway when it's unrestricted.Tailgating and hounding cars travelling at 48 mph is a common sight (trucks are often the worst offenders) as is phone use by drivers on cruise control / autopilot. The Police are too busy dealing with the accidents to target the cause.
Once out of the speed limited section people start paying ( a bit more ) attention.

This is what I expected to happen when the 50mph specs section on the A77 past Syminton was put in place. Many years later, I have to admit, I've never seen any of these issues. Don't know of a moajor accident or death since the move to 50mph. Now the bridges have been in place for a couple of years, It's also going back to 70mph sometime soon

Robin, I reckon someone in a back office somewhere is sat with a chart plotting ease of (appearing) to do something Vs impact chart & speed has come out tops.

[j2 lot]

Another 2 accidents - yesterday & today, both minor bumps but it completely fcuks the traffic flow - 2 hours to travel 21 miles this morning

[David]

I think 'we' are misreading the quote - 1 in 5 deaths, not accidents. So this is for serious accidents and generally speed needs to be above 50 mph to kill people. So in many respects this suggest that speed is not a significant factor in 'cause' of fatal accidents. But speed is the mechanism that kills people, so there's always merit in reducing speeds.

[campbell]

Dial in an indicated 5mph over limit on any AV speed section and enjoy the spectating. Keeps me engaged, that's for sure.