Are Speed Limits Really Working Anymore?
Speeding is practically the national pastime in the U.S.—and let’s just say, it’s a very popular one. Reports have shown that over half of all drivers confess to exceeding the speed limit by more than 15 mph at least once a month. Add to that the fact that speed limits on roads across the U.S. are increasingly being hiked up year after year, and it begs the question: Are speed limits doing their job?
The Issue with Speed Limits
In this week’s dive into the world of traffic laws, I’m shedding light on speed limits. First things first, no one is arguing that all speed limits should disappear—far from it. They’re crucial in keeping pedestrians and drivers safe in towns, urban centers, residential areas, school zones, and so forth. Physics is unyielding: the faster you go, the worse the crash will be.
Now, the real concern lies in how these limits are determined. That’s where the 85th percentile rule comes into play. Here’s the deal: traffic engineers conduct studies to see at what speed 85% of drivers are cruising. That speed then becomes the new limit. But timing out here, folks—if more than half of drivers are speeding, isn’t it fair to say the limit is being constantly manipulated by those very speedsters?
The Stroad Dilemma
Take a moment to think about your average multi-lane surface street—not your grandma’s homey boulevard, but a stroad. These roads, lined with businesses yet riddled with intersections, can now sport a 45 mph speed limit (which, let’s be honest, has people flying at 60). What gives? The way these roads are designed induces drivers to speed.
This kind of design leads to a notable problem: speed variability. That’s the basic difference in speed between vehicles and the occasional pedestrian or, heaven forbid, stationary object like a power pole. And here’s where things get perilous.
Lowering Speed Limits: A Bad Idea?
So, why not simply lower the limit? In this example, it’s actually counterproductive. The wide roadway that began as a calm neighborhood thoroughfare now accommodates higher speeds due to development. Lowering the limit would likely slow down some drivers, but a significant portion—if not more—would continue going full throttle, increasing that nasty speed variability and risk of accidents. What might actually help is redesigning the roads to naturally curb the speed, but we all know that’s a long shot.
A Look at Highways
As we shift gears to highways, the story evolves. Take the German Autobahn, where fewer than 10% of traffic fatalities occur. It’s a wonderland of high-speed opulence, with no speed limits. What could possibly go wrong, right? Yet the functionality lies in a combination of well-trained drivers and impeccably maintained roads. Their mechanics lead to naturally smoother traffic flow, which isn’t just a miracle of engineering—it’s essential.
But here’s the kicker: raising speed limits doesn’t magically make crashes less catastrophic. Just consider this—a national 55 mph speed limit was in effect from the 70s until the mid-90s largely to combat gas shortages. Despite its drawbacks, it curtailed highway fatalities. Once it was repealed, limits crept back up and fatalities dropped to a stunning 40-year low.
To Sum It Up
So, do speed limits work? The answer is a mixed bag. Until we rethink how they’re set and updated, along with reimagining our road designs and enhancing driver education, speed limits will forever oscillate between rules and mere suggestions—a perpetual moving target.