Final answer:
Significant reductions in speed on interstates can be hazardous as they may lead to collisions and disrupt traffic flow. Controlled speed management, aided by traffic signals and infrastructure improvements, is a safety measure to prevent accidents.
Step-by-step explanation:
On highways, especially interstate ones, traffic flows at high speeds, and drivers maintain a pace close to or sometimes exceeding the posted speed limit. If a vehicle significantly reduces its speed or stops on the road or the shoulder, it becomes a hazard for other vehicles. The difference in speed between a slow-moving vehicle and the rest of the traffic can contribute to rear-end collisions or cause abrupt lane changes, both of which increase the risk of accidents. Additionally, a Texas A&M study employing a Speed-choice model, which considered the use of highways versus secondary roads and calculated accident probabilities, supported traffic engineering decisions like the introduction of a traffic signal at problematic intersections to regulate flow and reduce speeds in a controlled manner. Furthermore, police reports indicate that accidents at certain intersections with frequent violations or erratic driving behaviour have necessitated such safety measures. A traffic signal not only enforces a reduction of speed but does so in a manner that allows drivers to anticipate the slowing of traffic ahead of time.
Examples support the view that unregulated high speeds or erratic speed patterns can lead to hazardous conditions. Infrastructure improvements like traffic signals are measures aimed to control traffic flow and reduce the potential for accidents, ensuring the safety of all road users.