SajjadAhmad wrote:
Statistics published by the U.S. Department of Transportation show that nearly 80% of all traffic fatalities occur at speeds of under 50 miles per hour and within 25 miles of home. Therefore, you are safer in a car if you are driving at a speed over 50 miles per hour and not within a 25-mile radius of your home. Which of the following, if true, most weakens the conclusion of the argument above?
(A) Teenage drivers are involved in 75% of all traffic accidents resulting in fatalities.
(B) 80% of all persons arrested for driving at a speed over the posted speed limit are intoxicated.
(C) 50% of the nation’s annual traffic fatalities occur on six weekends that are considered high-risk weekends because they contain holidays.
(D) The Department of Transportation statistics were based on police reports compiled by the 50 states.
(E) 90% of all driving time is registered within a 25-mile radius of the driver’s home and at speeds less than 50 miles per hour.
Master GMAT
Let's breakdown the argument.
Premise: It says most of accident occurs within 25 miles from home and drive speed is below 50 miles per hour.
Conclusion: If you cross 25 miles from home and are above 50 miles you will be safer.
Assumption: Within the 25 miles drive from home the driver never exceeds 50 miles per hour.
Now form the options we need to pick such argument which make the conclusion invalid or breaks it.
(A) Teenage drivers are involved in 75% of all traffic accidents resulting in fatalities.
Ans: Not worried about the demographic of the drivers involved in the accident.(B) 80% of all persons arrested for driving at a speed over the posted speed limit are intoxicated.
Ans: Out of Scope(C) 50% of the nation’s annual traffic fatalities occur on six weekends that are considered high-risk weekends because they contain holidays.
Ans: No reason has been given for the accident to occur, it might be traffic, it might be bumpy roads, poor lighting etc.(D) The Department of Transportation statistics were based on police reports compiled by the 50 states.
Ans: Out of Scope(E) 90% of all driving time is registered within a 25-mile radius of the driver’s home and at speeds less than 50 miles per hour.
Ans: Yes if this taken as true this will break the conclusion or will make it invalidThanks.
With Regards,
-Nayan Parikh
+1 for kudos