Argument Practice

Argument: Six months ago the region of Forestville increased the speed limit for vehicles traveling on the region's highways by ten miles per hour. Since that change took effect, the number of automobile accidents in that region has increased by 15 percent. But the speed limit in Elmsford, a region neighboring Forestville, remained unchanged, and automobile accidents declined slightly during the same six-month period. Therefore, if the citizens of Forestville want to reduce the number of automobile accidents on the region's highways, they should campaign to reduce Forestville's speed limit to what it was before the increase.


The argument is well-presented, but not thoroughly well-reasoned. By making a comparison of the region of Forestville, where the number of automobile accidents increased owing to its increase in the highway speed limit, with the region of Elmsford, an area with a lower speed limit and subsequently fewer accidents happened, the argument for reducing Forestville’s speed limit to reduce speed limit seems logical. However, the issue needs further exploration.

For one thing, the author is failing to recognize that there exist other possible alternatives, which can lead to the increase in the automobile accidents. Such elements include the fact that the drivers in Forestville may be young, inexperienced, or the highways in Forestville are slippery and not fit for fast-driving. It is also possible that Forestville has much rougher terrain. In a word, the author is failing to consider the geography and physical elements that may be leading the increase in highway accidents.

For another thing, the comparison is skeptical since it is only on the numbers and statistics, while at the same time the two regions may have different characteristics. People in the two regions may have different habits and daily schedules. It is possible that citizens in Forestville are accustomed to drive during less safe times of the day, such as dawn or late evening than Elmsford citizens. What’s more, the traffic lights in Forestville are probably darker. As a result, the comparison is not frame to support the conclusion that the citizens of Forestville should campaign to reduce speed limit.

The argument clearly states that even though the speed limit in Elmsford remained unchanged, the accidents in that region still declined slightly, which illustrates that speed is not the only factor that connects to the highway accidents.

In sum, there must be many possible factors contributing to the increase in highway accidents in Forestville, which requires the citizens and officials of Forestville to evaluate all possible alternatives before any decisions are made about the reduction in speed limit.
(428 words)