[rotorhead]

If the states actually believed the rhetoric "Speed Kills" then they would rate vehicles maximum speeds based on their stopping distances and handling ability, then enforce it by category SUV, Bus, Truck, Passenger vehicle or sports car.

Here are some quotes from the National Motorist Association:

"In the early 1920's, our highway accident fatality rate was estimated at 25 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. If that rate prevailed today, we would experience 700,000 motor vehicle fatalities a year! Tell me we haven't made dramatic improvements on the highway safety front! Nevertheless, the self-appointed safety establishment persists in using fluctuations in annual fatalities to support their contentions. If the fatalities go up, it's because motorists aren't heeding their advice. If the fatalities go down, it's because their latest campaign was such a great success. In reality, most "safety campaigns" have little material impact on the rise or fall in fatalities."

another quote

"Speed limits have virtually no influence on regulating general traffic speeds. The only legitimate function of speed limits is to delineate at what point reasonably competent drivers exceed the safe speed for a given roadway."

and that safe speed is as dependant on the type and class of vehicle as the conditions of the road.