Speed Limits
Speed limits are used to provide motorists with information on reasonable and safe speeds that will facilitate safe and orderly flow of traffic under normal conditions. The public should be encouraged to bring to the attention of public officials what they perceive to be speeding problems. However, speed limits should not be set based on casual observations or uninformed opinions.
Who sets the speed limits?
Chapter 5 of the Indiana Code defines the maximum speed limits on different types of roadway facilities in Indiana. If a local authority determines that the maximum speed permitted on a roadway facility within the authority’s jurisdiction is greater or less than reasonable and safe, the local authority may determine and declare a reasonable and safe maximum limit by conducting an engineering and traffic investigation.
What factors are considered when establishing a speed limit?
Traffic engineers examine many traffic and road conditions to determine a reasonable speed limit. These factors include crash statistics such as number and type of crashes, physical condition of the roadway including sidewalks, hills, curves, lanes, driveways, intersections, surface material, and traffic controls, as well as annual average daily traffic counts.
Isn’t a slower speed limit always safer?
No, lower speed limits do not necessarily improve safety. The more uniform the speeds of vehicles are in a traffic stream, the less chance there is for conflict and crashes. Posting speed limits lower or higher than what the majority of drivers are traveling, produces two distinct types of drivers; 1) those attempting to observe the speed limit and 2) those driving at what they feel is reasonable and prudent. These differences in speeds may result in increased crashes due to tailgating, improper passing, reckless driving, and weaving from lane to lane. Inappropriately established speed limits also foster disregard for other speed limits, traffic signs and traffic signals, and contribute to driver frustration.
Most drivers drive 5 mph to 10 mph over the speed limit. Why not establish the speed limit with this in mind?
While some drivers drive faster than the speed limit, this is not true of everyone. Experience shows that 85% of drivers adhere to properly established speed limits which they feel are reasonable, comfortable, and safe for conditions at the time. This is called the 85th percentile speed. This is the speed at, or below which, 85% of the traffic moves and is typically used when establishing proper speed limits for roadway facilities.
Why not simply post a lower speed limit and have the Sheriff’s Department enforce it?
Posting speed limits lower than the 85th percentile speed does not result in voluntary motorist compliance with the posted speed limit unless there is strict, continuous, and visible enforcement. Increase enforcement is effective only at the immediate time and in the area where the sheriff deputy is present. The availability of deputies is limited and their services must be shared with other law enforcement duties and responsibilities. Since those lower speed limits cannot be properly enforced, they will be consistently violated and will breed disregard for speed limits in general.
How can speed enforcement be effective when it is limited to such a small portion of the drivers?
When the majority of drivers respect the posted speed limit, enforcement can be directed at drivers who exceed the speed limit. When enforcement is directed at these drivers, voluntary compliance increases, which results in a lower percentage of violators.
Why not install 25 mph signs or “Children Playing” signs to make residential areas safer?
Installing signs is only effective if a hazard is not already obvious to the reasonably safe driver. Drivers are generally aware that they are in a residential area and do not require signs to notify them of this fact. Improper use of these signs conveys a false sense of security to residents and does nothing to improve safety.
Why not install stop signs, traffic signals, speed bumps, or some other device to reduce speeds?
Traffic control devices are designed and installed to solve a particular problem. When they are misused for speed control purposes, they are ineffective and may create a hazard.
Stop signs are designated to control traffic at busy intersections. When used to reduce speed, motorists “roll” through them, and then increase their speed between such signs.
Traffic signals are designed to control traffic at busy intersections or to reduce severe impact crashes. When misused, they may cause drivers to speed up to “beat the light” and may increase crashes.
Speed bumps are hazardous to all vehicles especially emergency vehicles, bicyclists, motorcyclists, school buses, and snow plows.
Why wait until someone is seriously injured or killed before anything is done about speeding?
After a serious crash, speeding is often assumed to be the cause. This may not always be true. While crash data is one of the factors considered in establishing speed limits, it is not the only factor. The prevailing 85th percentile speed is the primary factor used to establish a proper speed limit.
I am only one person among thousands of other drivers. What can I do to reduce the speeding problem in my community?
Speed limits are based upon studies of driving speeds – yours, your neighbors, and a percentage of everyone traveling on a roadway. Please obey the speed limit, not only on your street but on all streets and highways.
To petition for a traffic study to be conducted, please select the appropriate petition and return it to the Steuben County Highway Department. Thank You.