jcjwi@ihlpg.UUCP (Witschge) (01/01/70)
> The *Economist* wondered why the deadly accident rate in Holland is much > higher than in Belgium, despite the similar characteristics of > the two countries. Holland has a lower speed limit than Belgium, too! > > Marco Valtorta This is easily explained: Many more people in Holland use a bicycle for transportation than in Belgium or anywhere else (P.R. of China excepted). The deadly accident rate posted in the economist probably included these. J. Witschge
mgv@duke.UUCP (Marco G. Valtorta) (09/10/85)
This posting refers to a posting by Da Silva, asking for speed limits
in foreign countries.
The speed limits (in km/h) in Italy are as follows:
Car Engine Size City Highway Autostrada
<= 600cc 50 80 90
(601,900cc) 50 90 110
(901,1300cc) 50 100 130
>= 1301cc 50 110 (~70mph) 140 (87mph)
The *Economist* had a table recently showing the different deadly accident
rates for various countries. The US has the lowest. In Europe, Italy
has a lower rate than France and Germany, but higher than Great Britain.
France and Great Britain have lower speed limits than Italy,
Germany has no speed limit on "Autobahnen." If I remember correctly,
only a small minority of deadly accidents happen on Autobahnen, anyway.
The *Economist* wondered why the deadly accident rate in Holland is much
higher than in Belgium, despite the similar characteristics of
the two countries. Holland has a lower speed limit than Belgium, too!
Marco Valtortaewiles@netex.UUCP (Ed Wiles) (09/21/85)
In article <6265@duke.UUCP>, mgv@duke.UUCP (Marco G. Valtorta) writes: > [omitted] > The *Economist* wondered why the deadly accident rate in Holland is much > higher than in Belgium, despite the similar characteristics of > the two countries. Holland has a lower speed limit than Belgium, too! > > Marco Valtorta Please note that Holland has narrow streets and lots of cannals (sp?). If you drop it in the drink, you don't have much time to get out of the car before you drown. Also, if you were going at high speed, 50-60 mph, hitting water is like hitting a concrete wall, you may not be concious enough to get yourself out of the car. E. L. Wiles
joel@peora.UUCP (Joel Upchurch) (09/30/85)
>The *Economist* wondered why the deadly accident rate in Holland is much >higher than in Belgium, despite the similar characteristics of >the two countries. Holland has a lower speed limit than Belgium, too! > > Marco Valtorta Do you have the countries reversed here? According to my almanac the reverse is true Belgium has 6.3 deaths per 100 million vechicle-kilometers to 3.5 for the Netherlands. -- Joel Upchurch Perkin-Elmer Southern Development Center 2486 Sand Lake Road/ Orlando, Florida 32809/ (305)850-1031 {decvax!ucf-cs, ihnp4!pesnta, vax135!petsd}!peora!joel
davew@shark.UUCP (Dave Williams) (10/01/85)
>>The *Economist* wondered why the deadly accident rate in Holland is much >>higher than in Belgium, despite the similar characteristics of >>the two countries. Holland has a lower speed limit than Belgium, too! >> >> Marco Valtorta > In article <1692@peora.UUCP> joel@peora.UUCP (Joel Upchurch) writes: > Do you have the countries reversed here? According to my > almanac the reverse is true Belgium has 6.3 deaths per > 100 million vechicle-kilometers to 3.5 for the Netherlands. Having driven in both countries I can't help but believe that Belgium would have the worse fatality rating. The roads in Holland are all generally well maintained and well marked. The max. speed limit is 100 kph which few obey if the Rijks Politie aren't in the area. The drivers in Holland must pass a stiff licensing test and must have had a certain amount of hours training with licensed instructor. Belgian secondary roads are not as good. There still are a lot of cobblestones that makes driving a real chore. Roads in Belgium are poorly marked and there is much more congestion in the cities and on secondary roads. Until recently Belgian drivers did not need a driver's license. The drivers in Belgian are generally slower, but less predicable, much like the drivers in Washington state on this side of the pond. ;-} The Dutch drivers seem to have cars equipped with binary throttles, full on or full off. The biggest danger in Holland comes from the fact that so many roads are built on dikes. They are usually narrow with steep banks and lots of cold water at the bottom. If you go off the road you had better be a good swimmer. -- Dave Williams Tektronix, Inc. Graphic Workstations Division *********************** * This space for rent * * * * (cheap) * ***********************
goddard@rochester.UUCP (Nigel Goddard) (10/05/85)
About speed limits and deaths in Holland and Belgium. In Holland the
official speed limit is 100kph (65 m.p.h) but on the autoroutes the
Rijkspolitie won't stop you until you exceed 120kph. In Belgium the
speed limit is 120kph and people seem to drive about the same speed
as in Holland (ie at ~120kph). Holland has probably the most
concentrated network of autoroutes in the world and although Dutch
drivers will stay terrifyingly close on your tail, they seem to know
where the brake pedal is and are aware of what's going on. Also they
rarely overtake you on the wrong side, unlike the Belgians. The
Belgians are much more unpredictable, have less autoroutes, and
have many road junctions where the priority is to drivers coming
from the right - an invitation to disaster. Also in England the
speed limit is 70 mph and people tend to drive at around 75 mph.
In Germany there is no speed limit and it's not uncommon to be
overtaken by a car doing 100-120 mph. No problem.
Personally I think the speed limits in the US are ridiculous.
I've been horrified at the fuel consumption figures here. In
Europe 35-45 mpg is common. It's not the speed so much as car design.
As far as safety goes, driver education and awareness are paramount.
Lane discipline, using your mirrors and indicators, general awareness -
uncommon features here!
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