Speed limit and accident

The argument given by the author seems sound but the argument given to reach the conclusion is not completely satisfactory. The number of accident after the increase of speed limit on region of Forestville highway is increased by 15 percent. At the same time in the nearby region og Elmsford the number accident has declined when the speed limit is unchanged.

There can be many reason of the above statistics. First reason can be the quality of road in the Forestville. It may be the case that quality of road is so bad in forestville and that is causing the increase in number of accident. Another reason can be traffic condition in Forestville compared to Elmsford. If the traffic condition is degraded in last 6 month in Forestville that can cause increase in the accident cases.
One important reason for the accident can be because of drunken driver driving heavy vehicles on highway. So the number of accident cases need to be analysed and reason behind it should be found out. So rather than reducing the speed limit the number of accident cases can be controlled by proper checking of drivers alcohol level.

Another reason for the increase in number of accident is quality of vehicles used by Forestville citizen. If the quality of vehicle is not good then it will cause problem while driving. So, rather than decreasing the speed limit people should campaign for the better quality of roads. Also relating to the same point, Forestville ecitizen may be high class citizen using modern vehicles, compared to Elmsford, which can reach high speed in very small time; causing accidents. So the people should take proper training before using such vehicles.

Also the average age of the driver in both region can give a better idea for the actual reason for the increase in accident cases. If the average age of driver is around 15 to 20 years and licence is given without proper test  then its better to draw strict rules to curve the problem.

One point missed by the author before drawing the conclusion, is the speed limit six month back was same for both the region, and also do they had the same number of accident earlier. If the number of accident cases were very low in Forestville then 15% increase in accident cases may not too high when compared with absolute value.

So, as discussed above the conclusion drawn by incomplete without analysing the proper reason for the increase in the number of accident. If the reason is not properly found speed limit is decreased, even then the problem will persist.