Critical Reasoning

1. After the national speed limit of 55 miles per hour was imposed in 1974, the number of deaths per mile driven on a highway fell abruptly as a result. Since then, however, the average speed of vehicles on highways has risen, but the number of deaths per mile driven on a highway has continued to fall.
Which of the following conclusions can be properly drawn from the statements above?
(A) The speed limit alone is probably not responsible for the continued reduction in highway deaths in the years after 1974.
(B) People have been driving less since 1974.
(C) Driver-education courses have been more effective since 1974 in teaching drivers to drive safely.
(D) In recent years highway patrols have been less effective in catching drivers who speed.
(E) The change in the speed limit cannot be responsible for the abrupt decline in highway deaths in 1974.

What should be the answer?

The fight is between A and E. I would pick A.

I think the answer has to be A...
A-> The speed limit alone was not responsible for decrease in number of deaths...If that would have been the case, then more number of deaths would have resulted but number of deaths has decreased..
B-> People driving habit is out of scope.
C-> Driver-education courses are not discussed. So out of scope.
D-> Highway patrols not discussed. So can not be concluded..
E-> Change in speed is responsible but not alone...

I will go with 'E'.

I will go with A
We can not conclude E from the stimulus

I'll go with A because the first statement explicitly says that the no. of deaths/mile decreased as a result of the speed limit ruling out E

A

speed limit imposed and the no of deaths per mile driven fell abruptly. But the avg speed has risen and at the same time the no of deaths per mile has fallen.
hence speed limit alone is not having an affect on the decrease in the no of deaths per mile. There is another factor contributing to it