*Tough CR Question: This past holiday weekend, the number of

by **Guest** Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:21 pm

This past holiday weekend, the number of traffic accidents that occurred on a particular stretch of Highway 79 was 25 percent lower than the corresponding
number of accidents last year in the same location over the same holiday weekend. This is good evidence that the Highway Patrol’s publicity campaign against speeding has resulted in safer driving habits among motorists.

Which of the following is assumed in reaching the conclusion above?

(A) Traffic accident rates on the particular stretch of Highway 79 will continue to drop as long as the Highway Patrol’s publicity campaign continues.
(B) The two holiday weekends cover exactly the same calendar dates.
(C) Highway Patrol cars are patrolling the particular stretch of Highway 79 more frequently.
(D) The total number of miles driven on the particular stretch of Highway 79 has not decreased 25% or more since last year.
(E) A reduction in speeding is the only driving habit that has improved since last year.

OA is D. I think it should be E. If we assume E, then we can assure that "reduction in speeding" is the only reason for the safer driving habits among motorists. In stimulus, no where it is mentioned that the accidents occurred PER MILE DRIVEN. I think D assumes that the accidents are occurring PER MILE DRIVEN, which is not stated in the stimulus. And accidents can still occur if the vehicle is not driven the same number of mile(s).

Please explain.

Thanks.

by **san** Wed Oct 29, 2008 1:15 pm

Question is very tricky.

Conclusion - Highway Patrol’s publicity campaign against speeding has resulted in safer driving habits among motorists.

I will usa negation technique here. If I negate the assumption then it should weaken the conclusion.

For D - The total number of miles driven on the particular stretch of Highway 79 has (REMOVED NOT) decreased 25% or more since last year. Now milege has decreased by 25 % hence less accidents. I can assume it.

For E - A reduction in speeding is the only driving habit that has NOT improved since last year. Hence lot of habbits of driver changed and hence safe driving. It streghthens the conlusion. I can not assume it.

by **JonathanSchneider** Thu Nov 06, 2008 2:36 pm

Please post the source of this question, or we will be forced to delete this post. Thanks.

by **Guest** Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:13 pm

SOURCE IS NOVA GMAT preparation book.

thanx.

by **JonathanSchneider** Sun Nov 30, 2008 12:04 am

I'm not totally convinced of the worth of this question. I would agree with the poster that either D or E could be a fine answer choice.