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.

Skylark

14th Mar 2019 07:29pm

No & NOOOO. Our open road speed limits are too low. The 100 KMH is a carryover from the old 60MPH days. Days of skinny crossply tyres, drum brakes, no seat belts, no crumple zones, no air bags, no seat belts, no ABS brakes. The list of improvements to car is long and impressive. Why can't our open road speed limits reflect this.
The road toll has been decreasing for decades, despite the increasing numbers of vehicles on the road. Why is that? See above. That and better roads. Our current open road limits are stuck in the 1960s because state governments are addicted the revenue raised by speed SCAMeras. I take my road registered hobby car to track days, where I can exercise it to it's full potential. No way I'm going to let the fun police sabotage that pleasure.

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