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I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />TR <br /> <br />lC INFORMATION SERIES <br /> <br /> LOWER OR MORE' SPEED' <br />r~LIMIT' SIGNS' BE' POSTED ? <br /> <br />A common belief is that drivers comply with the speed limit where it is posted. <br />The facts indicate otherwise. <br /> <br />Studies conducted in Madison and throughout the country show that drivers are <br />influenced more by the surface of the roadway and prevailing traffic conditions <br />than by the posted speed limit. <br /> <br />Wisconsin and local laws specify that there are certain unposted~ fixed speed <br />limits. This includes the 25-mile-per-hour speed limit on any street within the <br />city limits, except in outlying districts or where otherwise posted. In most <br />residential areas in Madison, the speed limit is not posted, and all Wisconsin <br />drivers are expected to know it is 25 miles per hour. The 25-mile-per-hour <br />limit is posted to indicate a change when entering some residential areas from <br />a higher-speed (35 mph or more) arterial street. <br /> <br />Speed limits higher than 25 miles per hour are estblished on the basis of traffic <br />engineering studies, which include analyses of roadway conditions, accident <br />records, and the prevailing speed of prudent drivers. Since studies show that <br />most motorists drive at a speed which they consider to be reasonable and safe <br />under existing roadway conditions, the more reasonable the speed limit is, the <br />more likely it will be complied with. If a posted speed limit' is lower than is <br />needed to travel safely, many drivers will simply ignore the signs and the <br />average speed will likely be higher. At the same time, some drivers will stay <br />with the posted limit. This generally causes conflict between faster and slower <br />traffic, there are less gaps in traffic when pedestrians can cross safely, and it <br />is difficult for pedestrians to judge the speed of approaching vehicles. Studies <br />also show that where uniformity of speed is not maintained, the frequency of <br />accidents generally increases. <br /> <br />Floyd I. Jones <br />City Traffic Engineer <br />Traffic Engineering Div. <br />Dept. of Transportation <br />Suite 100 Mumclpel Bldg. <br />215 Monons Ave. <br />Madison,WI.,53710 <br />608-267-8751 <br /> <br />TIS -2 <br />Page 1 of 1 <br />Dec. 1983 <br /> <br /> <br />