There is nothing radical about correct speed limit setting

by | Aug 22, 2012 | Uncategorized | 3 comments

Last week, when we were interviewed by The Province News I was told by the reporter that our methodology sounded “too theoretical” or “radical”. Let us be clear there is nothing new, radical or theoretical about the proper setting of speed limits. If you want proof, you do not have to go far to find it. Two brief examples are set out below. Is there any place more conservative than Republican stronghold Arizona?

After you are done reading their speed limit setting methods, please check out BC’s very own speed limit review, that was commissioned in 2002, and see what the engineers told your provincial government.

From the Arizona Dept. of Transport Website concerning Establishing Speed Limits:

Speed zoning is based upon several fundamental concepts deeply rooted in our American system of government and law.

  1. Driving behavior is an extension of social attitude, and the majority of drivers respond in a safe and reasonable manner as demonstrated by their consistently favorable driving records.
  2. The normally careful and competent actions of a reasonable person should be considered legal.
  3. Laws are established for the protection of the public and the regulation of unreasonable behavior on the part of individuals.
  4. Laws cannot be effectively enforced without the consent and voluntary compliance of the public majority.

Public acceptance of these concepts is normally instinctive. However, the same public, when emotionally aroused in a specific instance, will often reject these fundamentals and rely instead on more comfortable and widely held misconceptions, such as:

  1. Speed limit signs will slow the speed of traffic.
  2. Speed limit signs will decrease the accident rate and increase safety.
  3. Raising a posted speed limit will cause an increase in the speed of traffic.
  4. Any posted speed limit must be safer than an unposted speed limit, regardless of the traffic and roadway conditions prevailing.
“Before and After” studies consistently demonstrate that there are no significant changes in traffic speeds following the posting of new or revised speed limits. Furthermore, no published research findings have established any direct relationship between posted speed limits and accident frequency, although short-term reductions have resulted from saturation enforcement efforts directed at speed and other traffic law violations.
And the following straight out of the independent review of speed limits commissioned by our very own BC provincial government in 2002:
Maximum speed limits enhance the safety objective by placing an upper limit on speed choice,
and to reduce the differences in vehicle speeds by drivers using the same road at the same
time.
[1]
Based on years of experience and observation, the following fundamental concepts have been
used to establish realistic speed zones.
[2]
The majority of motorists drive at a speed they consider reasonable, and safe for road,
traffic, and environmental conditions. Posted limits which are set higher or lower than
dictated by roadway and traffic conditions are ignored by the majority of motorists.
The normally careful and competent actions of a reasonable person should be
considered legal.
A speed limit should be set so that the majority of motorists observe it voluntarily and
enforcement can be directed to the minority of offenders.
A speed limit should seem too fast for a majority of users or it is not a maximum limit.
A driver’s choice of speed can impose risks on other road users. Crash severity
increases with increasing speeds because in a collision, the amount of kinetic energy
dissipated is proportional to the square of the velocity. Crashes, however, appear to
depend less on speed and more on the variation in speeds. The likelihood of a crash
occurring is significantly greater for motorists traveling at speed slower and faster than
the mean speed of traffic.
As shown in Figure 1, maximum speed limits should be set for ideal road, traffic, and
environmental conditions. Drivers should adjust their speed for conditions that are less
than ideal, as shown in Figure 2.
Establishing safe and realistic uniform speed zones is important because it invites public
compliance by conforming to the behavior of the majority of motorists and provides a clear
reminder to violators.
It also assists the courts by providing a guide as to what constitutes a
reasonable and prudent speed and reduces arbitrary enforcement and conviction tolerances.
Furthermore, it ensures that the requirements and intent of Provincial and local laws and
ordinances are met.

3 Comments

  1. eva csombor on September 12, 2013 at 9:11 pm

    look around the world! If you think people around the world will follow your idea of driving style you are going to have a surprise! Most people are laughing at us and think we are under more control in some respect than any formal communist country.
    get our of the old age and smell the new way of living and lifestyle. I have been here for 30 years but more and more often think to get out of here as the rules and regulations are do not remind me to be in a free country but rather in a police state. f this. I was under control under the communist regime back in eastern Europe, but not with driving and traffic. this money grabbing is worst than anything. Lighten up and listen to the people. you are thinking that we are all bad and shoot before asking. this is not a description of a developed 1st word country. this is a hidden control to grab money and make people’s life miserable and set up the unfortunate for failure
    you guys are inhuman and uptight. very uptight. your thinking is from some other world and it is not real. the cars and roads are today are fit for higher speed limit. it is so obvious that the limit is saturated deliberately so icbc /police can get more cash to pay the f..ing bonuses. and you call yourself the best place in the world???? kidding me? with the highest child poverty, lowest speed limit, most homelessness, lower minimum wages, highest transfer property tax, highest insurance, lowest paid teachers, trade etc.???? brain washing is working through media and papers. good job on that. i am as a tax payer highly disappointed of this government as this government is not working for the people of british columbia but the people of bc of the rich. would be nice to be honest once in a life time. try it for change and you would be surprised how the support would change.

    Reply
    • Ian on September 12, 2013 at 10:00 pm

      Whoa Eva! We’re on your side, can’t you tell? 🙂

      Reply
  2. Peter Kappel on April 18, 2013 at 2:41 am

    The new speed limits of 30 km on dallas road in Victoria,oak bay are not in accordance with this article,it is more like a whim of persons that advocated it just recently,I am 82 years been driving since 1952,never had a accident.The speed limit on the highway used to be 60 miles an hour,until we had a gasoline shortage and 50 miles an hour was instituded,zealots in power are making our country into a nanny state.I am running for MLA TO FIGHT for a free CANADA.

    Reply

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