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In this exhibit, you can test which speed is suitable for different road conditions (dry, rainy, snowy, icy) in population centres. |
The exhibit consists of a driver’s seat, wheel, accelerator and brake. The visitor chooses road conditions and speed and then begins the test by pushing the accelerator. When a pedestrian appears, the visitor must put the brakes on to avoid collision. An animation illustrates what happens after this point. The driver receives information about the speed of collision and possible damages suffered by the pedestrian. In order to give an accurate comparison of different speeds and road conditions, the pedestrian appears every time in front of the car at the same distance.
Co-operation partner:
Liikenneturva
Speed and speed limits
The impact of speed in traffic safety is clear but at the same time complex. As speed increases, it becomes more difficult to make observations, estimations and to stop the vehicle.
The impact of speed can be seen clearly in accidents:
the higher the speed, the worse the consequences. It all depends on
the untouchable laws of physics that cannot be influenced –
not even with good driving skills. The best way to restrain these
natural forces is to drop you speed.
Why such a high speed?
One of the reasons for a high driving speed is that it’s hard to realise that speed is such a hazard. Only few of us have experienced a serious accident. People also tend to over-estimate the safety given by a good quality vehicle and reasonable road conditions. Good conditions tend to lead to the use of excessive speed especially during summer.
When speed increases
- There is less time to make observations and
decision
- The forces related to a vehicle in motion increase and the stopping distance becomes longer
· The need to overtake increases which leads to an increased number of driving mistakes
· Driving in heavy traffic becomes stressful
· The consequences of collision become worse – whether or not you made the mistake
By lowering speed the driver can increase safety in many ways.
Speed limits
Speed limits are needed to achieve safe, economical and flexible traffic. Speed limits are a means to diminish the accident risk of road users, to decrease the number of accidents and to influence the seriousness of accidents.
Speed limits are an important factor in the smooth flow of traffic. They
· create an even flow of traffic decreasing the need to overtake
· make cross traffic and traffic in intersections flow easier
· create safe limits to speed in different situations
· help other road users to foresee traffic situations
Speed limits used in Finland have been developed for a long time and certain observations have been made in practise. When a speed limit is raised on a certain road section, the accidents there usually increase.
Seat-belt in accident situations
It’s very important that each person,
animal or object within the vehicle is fastened with a seat-belt.
An air bag can never replace a seat-belt; it’s always a
supplementary safety device.
Liikenneturva – tietoa liikenteestä ja liikenneturvaan liittyvistä asioista
See a video to learn more about
accident situations:
lt_irrallinen_esine.mpg (2780 kb)
lt_lannevyo_ei_riita.mpg (2716 kb)
lt_lapset_omiin_istuimiin.mpg (2709 kb)
lt_lasten_paikka.mpg (2727 kb)
lt_turvalaitteet_pelastavat.mpg (2757 kb)
lt_turvavyo_tarpeen_takanakin.mpg
(2893 kb)
Updated 8.1.2007/KT
