The costs and benefits of speed limits. Paper presented at the 33rd Annual Conference of the Institute of Traffic Administration, Leicester, October 21-22, 1977.

The level at which speed limits should be fixed depends upon a number of economic, philosophical and political issues. The possible costs and benefits of introducing or lowering speed limits are listed. It is argued that there is evidence of a link between speed and accident reduction. It is suggested that it should not be assumed that speed limits are right and consideration should be given to the possibility of more variation in speed limits.