Why are motor vehicles built to go faster than the legal speed limit?

Posted by: RainbowSpirit

31st Aug 2011 12:53am

I believe that all motor vehicles driven on public roads should only reach the maximum speed limit of 120km/h. I don't understand why car manufactorers have built them to go any faster? I am just wondering if there was any way they could actually put this idea in place, because to me it makes sense. I have never come across a sign that says to go 180km/h, have you? It will lessen the speed of drivers and it may also help to reduce the number of driving fatalities that occur each year on our roads.

PukPuk

18th Oct 2011 09:23am

It is a simple matter to put speed limiters on vehicles although the extra cost is hard to pass onto the consumer so it not done under community pressure - the same community that wants to reduce the road toll. The by product of producing engines that can propel a vehicle in the shortest possible time and distance (eg - overtaking within the law) also enables a higher gearing ratio at the top end that offers a higher top speed. The question is, do we build engines that can only power up to certain level but take a lot longer to overtake on the wrong side of the road or have that power in reserve and accept the cost of installing limiters. It has to be aknowled though that limiters on their own will not stop speeding such as in the lower speed zone areas and also there are always people who will interfere with them like the early models installed on trucks.

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