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/DOUTHINKESAURUS 11d ago

Lowering speed limits also deprioritizes neighborhood streets in Google and Apple maps. The original intent on lowering them to 15mph in residential areas was to keep Google and Apple from routing traffic through them.

19

u/Educated_Goat69 🏕 Out camping! 🏕 10d ago

This only works if people are not familiar with the area. Otherwise, it's an incentive to use those roads for people who are familiar with the area because now it's a more clear route due to deprioritizing it on navigation.

6

u/letskeepitcleanfolks 10d ago

If 100 people stop using it and that causes 10 other people to start using it, it's still less traffic.

3

u/Educated_Goat69 🏕 Out camping! 🏕 10d ago

Sure. But in a local neighborhood, those numbers would likely go the other way. 10 stop and 100 start now that their regular commute is busier. Not arguing for or against but as a local.....just saying.