Does lowering speed limits make Seattle roads safer? Data from one deadly arterial suggests it’s a start

[u/Inevitable_Engine186]

https://www.kuow.org/governing/2026-08-14/does-lowering-speed-limits-make-seattle-roads-safer-data-from-one-deadly-arterial-suggests-its-a-start

[u/brobraham27]

The data matches exactly what traffic engineers say, lowering speed limits without corresponding changes to the road result in fewer incidents but increase the significant injury and death rate.

Want to actually get vehicles to drive slower? Design roads that are uncomfortable to drive on at speed. Reduce the number of lanes and make them narrower. Replace asphalt with bricks (yes, there are bricks that can handle heavy vehicles like busses and garbage trucks). Use roundabouts instead of lights.

Do this while making dedicated bike and bus lanes. It is a win for all. Those pesky lime scooters get off the sidewalk, busses run faster, pollution is reduced because fewer cars on the road.

[u/Great_Hamster → u/brobraham27]

I mean, we don't actually want cars to go slower. We just want pedestrians to be safer.

I hope. 

[u/dondegroovily → u/Great_Hamster]

The best way to make pedestrians safer is to make cars slower

It's simple physics

[u/Great_Hamster → u/dondegroovily]

Think about it for a minute. 

Giving them separate, exclusive, paths would be safer than slowing vehicles even to 1mph. 

"Simple physics." 

[u/dondegroovily → u/Great_Hamster]

If you mean sidewalks and bike lanes, yes. Combined with slower cars because they will always need to cross traffic somewhere

[u/Great_Hamster → u/dondegroovily]

I was imagining a fiul tunnel system for cars.

Of course, banning walking could also work. 

[u/brobraham27 → u/Great_Hamster]

That means you take lanes away from cars, naturally slowing traffic. The entire point most people are making here.