Why are US freeways speed limits generally lower than European counterparts?

[SEWIGuy]

Every SL increase has been followed by a decrease in traffic mortality and morbidity.  That simple.  Pure science.  Advocates of irrational SLs are simply wrong.  That simple.

I really don't know how you can say this.  There are plenty of studies that suggest otherwise.

https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/speedmgt/ref_mats/fhwasa1304/Resources3/08%20-%20The%20Relation%20Between%20Speed%20and%20Crashes.pdf

Not that I want speed limits to decrease, your claims run counter to most of what is out there.

That article is about actual driving speeds, not speed limits.

Exactly. Because in many cases, increased speed limits do not cause the 85th percentile speeds on a given roadway to rise by much. It merely is an adjustment to the legal limit to match the reality of what is already happening.

If anything, it improves safety by eliminating speed differentials between those traveling much higher speeds and those traveling close or at the limit. Vehicles traveling a similar speeds in one direction is safer than having variances because it cuts down on the amount of lane changes, passing, etc. which reduces the likelihood of accidents.

Drivers will drive what is comfortable based on roadway conditions, not what is on the sign. Often times, speed limit increases are bringing the number closer to what the roadway can safely handle, not actually speeding traffic up more.

Ok that makes sense. Thank you.