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SPEEDLIMITS <br />? <br />WHAT ARE SPEED LIMITS? <br />Speed limits are used to set the legal speed at which <br />a vehicle may travel. The goal of a speed limit is to <br />account for traffic safety and mobility to determine the <br />safe and reasonable speed for the roadway. <br />HOW ARE SPEED LIMITS SET? <br />There are two ways that speed limits are set in <br />Minnesota, by statute and by traffic investigation. <br />Minnesota state law establishes statutory speed limits <br />for specific roadways. <br />A traffic investigation evaluates: <br />• Driver behavior • Roadway information <br />• Crashes • Roadside land use <br />The resulting recommended speed limit is posted <br />on signs along the roadway to inform drivers of <br />the speed limit. <br />The MnDOT Commissioner of Transportation holds the <br />authority to establish speed limits on nearly all roads in <br />Minnesota. This allows for a uniform, consistent, and <br />repeatable approach for establishing speed limits. <br />El A city may establish speed limits on <br />KAroads they own if they meet a specific <br />' set of criteria. <br />SPEED CONCEPTS <br />Operating speed is the speed drivers choose when <br />operating on the roadway. Each day drivers choose to <br />drive the speeds at which they feel most comfortable. <br />When the posted speed limit matches their <br />expectations, most will obey, while others may travel <br />above that limit. <br />Drivers tend to travel at speeds they feel are reasonable <br />for the road and traffic regardless of the posted speed <br />limit. Road design can be modified to encourage slower <br />and more uniform speeds. As vehicles travel uniformly <br />at or near the same speed, smoother traffic flow <br />occurs, resulting in decreased conflicts and the creation <br />of a safer road environment. <br />WILL LOWERING THE SPEED LIMIT <br />REDUCE SPEEDS? <br />Studies shows that in most cases lowering the <br />speed limit alone, without other roadway changes <br />or increased enforcement, has little effect on driver <br />behavior. Drivers travel at speeds they feel are <br />reasonable for the road and traffic regardless of the <br />posted speed limit. <br />ISN'T A SLOWER SPEED LIMIT <br />ALWAYS SAFER? <br />Vehicles moving slower together are safer, however, <br />drivers chose their speed based on changes to <br />the roadway, surrounding land use, and driving <br />conditions. Changing the speed limit without <br />changes to the roadway or its environment could <br />increase the difference in speed between the <br />fastest and slowest drivers, which increases the risk <br />of crashes and driver frustration. <br />WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT <br />CREDIBLE SPEED LIMITS? <br />Credible speed limits minimize speed differentials <br />by providing safe, consistent, and reasonable <br />speeds to protect drivers, pedestrians, and <br />bicyclists along the roadway. Lowering speed limits <br />unreasonably can make violators out of sensible <br />and otherwise law-abiding citizens, creating a <br />difficult situation for police and the community. <br />When speed limits are difficult to enforce, drivers <br />are left to regulate their own speeds rather than <br />adhering to the posted speed. With credible speed <br />limits, drivers are encouraged to travel at a speed <br />that is safe and reasonable based on the roadway <br />design and surrounding land use. <br />i <br />F <br />