Shafi Shahid, Parks Jennifer, Gentilello Larry
Division of Burns, Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas, USA.
J Trauma. 2008 Nov;65(5):1122-5. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e318189a821.
Nationwide reduction of speed limits to 65 miles per hour (mph) has the potential to save 2,985 lives every year. We undertook the current study to measure potential cost savings of implementing this injury prevention strategy.
Using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's CRASHCOST software, we determined costs of motor vehicle injuries in the 29 states with speed limits exceeding 65 mph in 2003. CRASHCOST estimates lifetime economic costs associated with motor vehicle crashes. Next, we calculated the expected number of crashes, and associated costs, if speed limits were reduced to 65 mph nationwide. Estimated crash rates after reduction were derived by comparing states with speed limits up to 65 mph versus >65 mph, adjusted for vehicle miles traveled, safety belt use, and other confounders. Potential savings were defined as the difference between the two costs.
Estimated potential savings with restriction of speed limits to 65 mph is $13 billion annually, including a $2 billion reduction in trauma care costs. These savings reflect approximately 6% of the total economic impact of motor vehicle crashes ($231 billion in 2000). To put these costs into perspective, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates $50 billion in annual savings with safety belt use, $1.94 billion with airbags, and $670 million with motorcycle helmets.
Nationwide reduction of speed limits to 65 mph has the potential to save $13 billion nationally every year. Hence, legislative action on speed limits will not only reduce motor vehicle injuries and deaths, but will also provide significant cost savings.
将全国限速降至每小时65英里（mph）每年有可能挽救2985条生命。我们开展了本研究以衡量实施这一伤害预防策略可能节省的成本。
我们使用美国国家公路交通安全管理局的CRASHCOST软件，确定了2003年限速超过65 mph的29个州机动车伤害的成本。CRASHCOST估算了与机动车碰撞相关的终身经济成本。接下来，我们计算了如果全国限速降至65 mph，预期的碰撞事故数量及相关成本。通过比较限速最高为65 mph和高于65 mph的州，并对行驶里程、安全带使用情况及其他混杂因素进行调整，得出限速降低后的估计碰撞率。潜在节省金额定义为这两种成本之间的差值。
将限速限制在65 mph的估计潜在节省金额为每年130亿美元，其中创伤护理成本减少20亿美元。这些节省金额约占机动车碰撞事故总经济影响（2000年为2310亿美元）的6%。为了更好地理解这些成本，美国国家公路交通安全管理局估计，使用安全带每年可节省500亿美元，使用安全气囊可节省19.4亿美元，使用摩托车头盔可节省6.7亿美元。
全国将限速降至65 mph每年有可能在全国节省130亿美元。因此，关于限速的立法行动不仅将减少机动车伤害和死亡，还将带来显著的成本节省。
