Speed Limits

Issue:

Speed Limits

Issue:

Speed Limits

Speed limits should be based on sound traffic-engineering principles that consider motorists’ reasonable and prudent travel speeds.


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Setting Realistic Speed Limits

The recommended speed limit is at or below the 85th percentile speed of free-flowing traffic—the speed at or under which 85 percent of traffic is traveling. Traffic flow studies have proved that this limit is the safest possible for setting speed limits. Thus, speed limits should be periodically evaluated and adjusted to reflect changes in actual traffic speeds.

Realistic Speed Limits Promote Compliance

Realistic speed limits invite public compliance by conforming to the behavior of most drivers. Hence, law enforcement can differentiate serious speed violators from the vast majority of responsible drivers.

Lower Speed Limits Do Not Create Safer Roads

Studies show that drivers who significantly go slower than the average speed of traffic are more likely to get into accidents. Setting speed limits that encourage slow driving does not create safer roads. Instead, speed limits that reflect realistic travel speeds lead to safer roads because most accidents happen because of differences in speed, not due to speed itself.

Increasing Speed Limits Does Not Lead to Higher Speeds

Contrary to popular belief, higher speed limits do not always lead to higher speeds. The majority of drivers do not tend to exceed what they consider to be safe and comfortable, even when speed limits are raised. Studies show that following an increase in speed limits, average speeds of traffic remained the same.

Reasonable Speed Limits Promote Traffic Flow

Setting realistic speed limits can create safer roads by improving traffic flow. A reasonable speed limit enables traffic to move at a safer and more uniform pace because differences in speed levels lead to dangerous driving conditions, while reasonable speeds promote better traffic flow.

Speed-Related Accidents

Studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have shown that only 30% of all fatal accidents are related to speed. Furthermore, research conducted by the Florida Department of Transportation found that only 2.2% of accidents were caused by speeding, not speed itself.

The Impact of Lower Speed Limits on Fuel Consumption

The 55-mph National Maximum Speed Limit was enacted specifically to save gas; it had practically no impact on fuel consumption. Research has shown that speed limits based on actual traffic speeds promote better traffic flow, reduce the need for frequent braking and accelerating, and ultimately have a positive impact on fuel consumption.

Ensuring speed limits are set according to the realistic travel speeds of vehicles can enhance traffic flow, promote road safety, and remove dangers associated with speed.


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