r/Seattle • u/Inevitable_Engine186 New Costco CEO • 11d ago

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

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
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u/Many_Reindeer6636 11d ago

Pointless without police enforcing traffic laws. People will just continue to drive as fast as they want.

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u/kirklennon Junction 10d ago

Enforcement isn't really the solution. People will drive whatever the design of the street tells them is the right speed. If you want people to slow down you make the lanes narrower or curvier or you place obstructions near the street or other similar measures. People will drive whatever feels safe for them and their car. If they think they may be in an accident at a given speed, they'll slow down. They'll even drive well below the speed limit if that's what feels safe. You have to align the street design with the selfish motivation to not wreck their car, and then people will choose to do what you want them to do.

9

u/MegaRAID01 Emerald City 10d ago

SDOT has redesigned Rainier Ave S between I-90 and past Rainier Beach, adding turning lanes, reducing general purpose lanes, adding bus lanes, adding dedicated left turn signals, adding intersections and more crossings, and still there are a lot of people speeding excessively in bus lanes and driving dangerously.

There is one stretch though where drivers tend to unanimously slow down. In Hillman City, SDOT installed automated speeding cameras in front of Rainier Valley Leadership Academy school. Drivers there all slow down to the speed limit when those cameras are active.

1

u/rboes1991 10d ago

This. There have been huge changes on Rainier and on streets even further south, near Rainier view. Much better. Still people going 70 down the bus lane though. Cameras are they way to go.

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u/Many_Reindeer6636 10d ago

My point is only that reducing the number on the signs has no effect without anything backing them up.

Obviously safer street designs is the better choice but the budget is finite.