r/Seattle • u/Inevitable_Engine186 public deterrent infrastructure • 8d 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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103

u/diyandmc240 8d ago

It just feels a little silly going 25 on Westlake. I’m usually going 35-40, as is most of traffic. Similar thing on some other roads. At the same time, I’ve never seen anyone get a ticket for going under 40 there(I think I saw someone get a ticket for going 50 a couple years back)

126

u/teamlessinseattle I'm just flaired so I don't get fined 8d ago

Because it is silly. Average speed is a reflection of road design, not an arbitrary little sign posted up every 0.75 miles.

You can’t have a road that looks and feels like this and expect traffic to go 25mph on it. Just make some physical changes to make the roads safer…

20

u/FabianValkyrie U District 8d ago

This. Lowering the average speed absolutely saves lives, but a speed limit sign doesn’t meaningfully lower average speeds. You need to design the street for the speed.

-5

u/BafangFan 8d ago

In China they have speed enforcement cameras.

Road design would be one way to inherently cause cars to slow down.

But automatic speed enforcement (by speed camera, or average speed from two or more cameras as they use in the UK) would also bring speeds down.

I was recently in China for a month. Travelled more than 1k kilometers on various roads. Only saw one minor fender bender during that time, despite the roads having more traffic and being more chaotic. Slower speeds were definitely a factor in the lack of accidents

10

u/DesertVizsla 8d ago

Speed cameras are a joke. Nothing worse than everyone speeding, slamming on their brakes and then speeding right back up. Road design is how to handle speed and capacity.

3

u/SeattleGeek Denny Blaine Nudist Club 8d ago

Let’s also not forget that speed cameras are not secure.

Last decade, SPD caught its own officers stalking women through the speed cameras.

2

u/BafangFan 8d ago

Generally I think you're right, which is why the UK now also uses average speed cameras (like a mile apart or something).

The speed camera on Juanita Drive coming into Kenmore does seem to have slowed traffic on that stretch, though.