I had never heard of speed limits being set for the purpose of collecting money. Although collecting money thru fines is a way of enforcing speed limits.
We have roads and streets here in Iowa, as I am sure that there are elsewhere, that are unsafe to travel on at speeds higher than that which is posted. (Around corners, intersections with high amounts of heavy industrial usage such as heavy trucks, farm tractors & implements, uncontrolled intersections and the like. The lay of the land has everything to do with it such as in mountains and road conditions such as ice and potholes etc.
Some of the posted speeds are established with a certain amount of "cushion" built in for error. That is to say not every vehicle may be able to travel that posted speed and not have an accident such as failing to keep a vehicle in ones own lane of travel. (Resulting in head on collisions, side swiping, going into ditches, rollovers and over cliffs etc.
Modern roads (interstates) are designed for high-speed travel,,,,,,,,,,,, within reason, for example, Montana's highways can be driven much faster than the Pennsylvanian turnpike.
Of course vehicle design and driver skill come into play when actually driving all road conditions, however that cannot be taken into account when establishing speed limits as there is no way to determine every drivers vehicle condition or drivers skill.
I for one hate speeders and other reckless drivers. (However I do admire wreck less drivers)
I live one mile from a major highway with a posted speed limit of 65 mph. When I enter that highway I have to make a judgment call as to weather or not to pull out based on the speed of the cars and trucks. There is a rise (hill) in the roadway that limits ones vision of oncoming traffic. If everyone would obey the speed limit and drive in the correct lane, I could enter upon the high way without a problem, however those that speed and cruise in the passing lane, greatly increase the chances of causing an accident in this situation as they come over the hill and over take a unforeseen slower moving vehicle. As a safety precaution I have to put the hammer down to avoid being over run by the speeders and if for some reason I can’t get up to speed (engine sputters, icy or wet pavement, etc) there is a very real and high potential for an accident. The high speed also reduces the amount of reaction time of the speeding drivers to respond to this situation.
I just reread what I am posting and find it hard to believe that I am explaining and posting the rudimentary knowledge that should be taught in school, drivers training or should be just plain common sense.
Just as there are rules to follow and common sense in the responsible use of firearms such as their limitations & potentials, liabilities, etc. that many experienced shooters know and follow so should the users of this nations roadways and highways know and follow the rules and use common sense.
If it takes a camera to catch and enforce speed limits around schools etc. so be it. After all, this IS about the children’s safety as well as others and has nothing to do with limiting anyone’s access to and using the streets and highways.
Continuance and clarification of rant over.
Vern