What if speed limits were not enforced?

Speed limits then would become more like speed recommendations based on empirical and tested data that determines which speeds are the safest.

But there would be no external policing whatsoever of these recommendations, no penalties at all for going above or below them.

In other words, it would be up to us to govern our own behavior ... up to us to weigh the consequences of going too fast or slow and potentially endangering our self and others.

Sure there would be those that do crazy things and hurt people.

How would that be any different than what we have going on now?

What would we gain though from such a system?

Freedom. In that there isn't an authority dictating how we govern our behavior. We decide.

Dignity. The tacit implication here is that we are capable of deciding and do not require the fear of punishment to guide our behavior.

Power. There is inherent risk in the system and now it is up to us to manage it. And I'm betting we'd do a damn fine job at it given the opportunity.

Community. Could be that somebody in the neighborhood is always speeding and driving like crazy. It now becomes up to the neighbors to compassionately approach him and discuss the situation because nobody else is going to.

More laws, tighter restriction does not scale.

Empowering people with freedom and dignity does.