Study show Speeding Saves no Time at All

Speed kills.
Of Kingsport's 21 traffic fatalities last year - a record high - police have cited speed as a factor in four crashes and seven deaths.
So, how much time can you really save by mashing the accelerator a bit further? Quite simply, little to none.
Take a commute from Kingsport to Johnson City. The posted speed limit for most of Interstate 181/Interstate 26 between the cities is 70 mph. At that rate it will take just over 17 and a half minutes to drive from the interstate entrance ramp on West Stone Drive to the exit ramp on Roan Street. Traveling the same stretch of road at 80 mph will get you to Johnson City in just over 15 minutes and 20 seconds. Excessive speeds that risk your life, along with the lives of fellow motorists, saves about two minutes.
Likewise, the risk doesn't merit the reward when driving other roads. If you drive the posted 45 mph on Stone Drive it takes seven minutes to travel from Lowe's on East Stone Drive to Wal-Mart on West Stone Drive, excluding stops for traffic signals. At 55 mph, the stretch of Stone Drive takes about eight and a half minutes. You save 90 seconds at the risk of a wreck or a speeding ticket.
But according to Kingsport Traffic Engineer Michael Thompson, drivers won't even save that. He said the Model City's traffic signals are timed in a way that makes speeding futile.
"Theoretically, if you're traveling from Lowe's on East Stone Drive, you might have to stop at the first light," Thompson said. "But if you drive the speed limit you are going to get a green light at each successive signal going through (Kingsport) and won't have to stop at the signals."
Don't believe it? Then take the test. Next time you're driving Stone Drive at the posted 45 mph, observe one of the speeding cars that are sure to pass you by.
On Thursday morning, that's what a reporter for the Times-News did. Westbound on Stone Drive, traveling the posted speed limit, a Chevrolet truck passed at an excessive speed at the underpass of John B. Dennis.
Three traffic signals later, at the intersection of Stone Drive and Gibson Mill, the truck was the third automobile at a red light. As the light turned green and the truck accelerated, the reporter approached from behind and got the green with perfect timing, never having to come to a complete stop. The truck driver's speeding and hasty pass a couple miles earlier saved no time in the long run.
City officials say the same traffic signal timing holds true for Center Street, Memorial Boulevard and Fort Henry Drive.
The Times-News reporter, traveling Stone Drive between John B. Dennis and Lynn Garden Drive, has found you will get stopped at one light, and possibly have to slow at another as it changes from red to green, if driving the posted 45 mph.

[starbuck]

too bad people won't take this to heart and slow down

Honestly what the man said about the lights is true.
If you drive the speed limit and go through downtown Norton. You can make almost all of the lights and never have to stop.
Most towns and cities are going to that where you have large volumes of traffic so it keeps traffic moving at a good pace and reduces accidents.
Only time i have ever seen it not work out in Norton, is when someone pulls up to the light from one of the side streets. Then it will change, other than that, you can drive basically right through downtown Norton, without being stopped by a light.

[knight_67]

just keep her at 23-24 and you'll get right through there..