Why do cars have speed limits?
2 Answers
Speed limits are established to ensure both driving safety and the efficient utilization of road resources. Here are the relevant explanations: 1. Rear-end collisions: Increases the likelihood of rear-end collisions. Vehicles speeding often follow other vehicles too closely. When the leading vehicle applies emergency braking, the following vehicle is prone to rear-end collisions due to insufficient distance. 2. Rollover: Increases the risk of rollover. Excessive speed amplifies centrifugal force during turns. Calculations show that tripling the speed increases centrifugal force ninefold. Higher speeds generate greater centrifugal force, making the vehicle more susceptible to rollover if the driver makes abrupt steering corrections.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I deeply understand the dangers of excessive speed. I still remember one time on the highway when the car in front suddenly had a tire blowout. I was driving at 120 km/h and barely managed to stop, but the speeding car behind me rear-ended me directly. The faster the speed, the longer the braking distance becomes—especially during rainy or snowy days when skidding is more likely. Moreover, our domestic roads have many curves and frequent intersections. In cities, an electric scooter might suddenly dart out, leaving no time to react. If you drive at 150 km/h on a highway with a 120 km/h speed limit, the braking distance per 100 kilometers could extend by dozens of meters—that’s the difference between life and death.
