Why Do So Many People Accept That Posted Speed Limits Are Irrefutable?
Posted limits are rarely questioned by the general public, and speeders
are quickly dismissed as law breakers. However, speeding, unlike an offense
such as running a red light, depends upon the sign arbitrarily placed upon
the side of the road. Am I a high-risk driver if the speed limit was incorrectly
set; if the standards later change and the limit is raised; if I have a
medical emergency; if I am a police officer without my lights or
siren on; if my politician lowered the limit to appease a special interest
group and it had no effect upon safety?
Who sets these limits, what criteria is used? Are they based on engineering
or political considerations? Why do similar roads have different limits
(both locally and internationally)? Why are there no universally accepted
methods of setting limits? Why doesn't British Columbia, like California
and other jurisdictions, require that speed limits be verified by engineering
study before a ticket can be issued? Read on through our other pages for
some answers...
