A Mathematician Explains Why Driving at 140km/h on a Highway Makes No Sense

Speed limits are an essential measure to ensure road safety and traffic flow. However, there are those who argue that in certain sections, it is feasible to increase these limits without compromising safety. This debate has gained momentum in recent years, with divided opinions between advocates of faster driving and those who support maintaining current restrictions.

In a recent viral video, mathematics professor José Ángel Murcia explains why driving at 140 km/h on a highway is not an advantageous option. Beyond the obvious legal and safety issues, Murcia presents a mathematical explanation to demonstrate that increasing speed does not result in significant time savings.

"When I drive at 60 kilometers per hour, I cover 60 kilometers in one hour and one kilometer in one minute. That is, the time it takes me to cover one kilometer is 60 seconds. If I were going at 120, it would take exactly half the time because the speed is double; it would take 30 seconds," the professor explains at the beginning of the video.

Murcia emphasizes that, unlike the previous example, when increasing speed from 120 km/h to 140 km/h, the reduction in travel time is practically insignificant. "Between 120 and 140 km/h, I barely gain a few seconds per kilometer," he clarifies. This is due to the inverse relationship between speed and time: the faster you drive, the smaller the reduction in time for each increment in speed. This mathematical principle shows that although speed may double, the time savings diminish as speed increases.

The professor highlights that increasing speed from 120 to 140 km/h only saves a few seconds per kilometer. "Barely four seconds and a bit to complete one kilometer," he details. This minimal time gain, he explains, puts into perspective the scant benefits compared to the risks and legal penalties associated with exceeding speed limits.