Do u think speed traps & roadblocks can reduce car accidents? Here is a comment by munman_stk that i wanna share to u..

"This is a very interesting topic. I think the question we need to ask, or even the questions the government should be asking is:

what is THE REASON for the road blocks or speed traps?

If the answer is to save lives, then this is not the answer. albeit the COMPLETE answer.

Guys, apologies but this will be a long post!!

Lately we have been inundated with the rising stats of fatalaties from road traffic accidents. and these rise is paradoxical to improved safety standards of cars! why is this? okay cars are getting faster too.

My opinion is that although speed traps are good, there are other reasons that we should strongly consider first:

1. Seatbelts
Yes seatbelts. and yes we know we should wear it but do we? not just the driver, but everybody, yes including you in the back!! i think seatbelts are the most important factor that reduces the risk of fatalaties in compariosn to anything else. one way of seeing it is that if you drive according to the speed limit (eg 100kph) and not wear a seatbelt, chances are you would probably die in comparison to if someone wears a seatbelt and drove over the speedlimit at 120kph. worth a thought, but not gonna experiment on that!

Also, studies have shown than even in a 35mph (55kph) crash, G forces generated during deceleration is between 40-50 Gs! no joke man. check this link: http://www.vcu.edu/cppweb/tstc/crashinvestigation/kinetic.html

So what does that mean? this is especially for people NOT WEARING SEATBELTS IN THE BACK. If you are 70kilograms, the EFFECTIVE weight you will be producing in a crash at 35mph is 70kgx40Gs: 2800kg!!!! that is like the weight of 2 elephants. this might be okay cos u got the front seat to crash onto, but your dad, mom or friend in the front seat will probably die cos his seatbelt multiplied by your new weight will cut him in half!

I would like to know what the official number of people who died in accidents were actually wearing or not wearing safety belts. worth a thought?

2. Speedtraps + speeding
This is a good idea if used correctly. Again as i said earlier, it all depends on the reason why. In the UK, speedtraps are placed in areas where they have been 5 FATAL ACCIDENTS. Hence, a camera is put up, in BRIGHT YELLOW, and motorists are informed by multiple speed limit signs and camera warning signs. This is not to catch out motorist but to inform the public that the area is dangerous and hence a speedlimit is put on it.

So at the moment, the speedtraps done by the police would probably annoy motorists rather than educate us!

3. Road condition
yes yes, i agree, better quality roads, less potholes, better streetlighting does help

4. The driver + car
yes i agree with mr.carzine (editor) about attitudes of drivers. also knowing which lane to use is helpfull, in highways and roundabouts! and i agree with sputniq about making sure the car is in a reasonable condition

If u guys reach this point, i congratulate u in reading this post"

-Well said munman_stk