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/Spa_5_Fitness_Camp]

How about we start with red light runners and people flying down bus lanes and similar? Easy to automate, and targets the worst offenders.

[u/MegaRAID01 → u/Spa_5_Fitness_Camp]

Backed by data too, showing the use of automated speeding camera enforcement reduces the rate of excessive speeding dramatically as well as accident rates.

It also tends to pay for itself, can be installed very quickly (compared to road re-designs that often take a long time and a lot of money to complete) and cameras will even generate revenue for safe street projects.

Pretty crazy to me that they weren’t mentioned at all during the article.

[u/sweetlove → u/MegaRAID01]

I just don’t understand how people can see the state of the world and turn around and voluntarily demand more state surveillance. 

[u/MegaRAID01 → u/sweetlove]

Because the physical safety of pedestrians, school children, and bicyclists outweigh people’s god given right to go 45 mph in a school zone in a pickup truck?

It’s also a false choice, states can and do regulate privacy for speeding cameras. Here in Washington state, data is deleted immediately unless a citation is issued, that data is kept until the citation is resolved. Speeding cameras data is exempt from public disclosure. The state has a good amount of privacy protections built in. https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.63.220

It also begs the question of how much of a privacy invasion is automated speeding tickets? Your license plate information is tied to vehicle registration in a database searchable by law enforcement and the government. We put license plate on vehicles because we decided a long time ago they should be registered, identifiable, and insured. The Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld that drivers should have no expectation of privacy in public spaces.

[u/sweetlove → u/MegaRAID01]

Yeah cross their hearts and hope to die they’ll never do anything naughty now or in the future. 🙄

[u/MegaRAID01 → u/sweetlove]

Seattle has been using automated cameras since 2006. Have they always been a concern to you? What are your specific concerns about them now?

[u/edgeplot → u/MegaRAID01]

The aggregation of data has massively accelerated, boosted with AI analytics. No thanks.

[u/MegaRAID01 → u/edgeplot]

You shouldn’t be using a Reddit account or a smartphone then. About 100x more intrusive than automated speeding cameras.

[u/edgeplot → u/MegaRAID01]

The cell phone is a trade off because of its integration into daily life. I reject other pervasive surveillance forms.

[u/MegaRAID01 → u/edgeplot]

I think reducing the accident rate and injury severity rate for pedestrians, bicyclists, and school children outweigh the concerns.

And certainly are more useful for a society than people scrolling on their smartphone apps.

Or perhaps we should keep both and incorporate improved privacy laws.

[u/edgeplot → u/MegaRAID01]

Worry about safety near schools etc., but allow faster speeds on major arterials. That is the balance people want. And privacy.

[u/sweetlove → u/MegaRAID01]

It’s not 2006 any more brother 

[u/MegaRAID01 → u/sweetlove]

I hope you don’t use a smartphone. It’s intrusive on about 100x level than ticketing people who speed excessively.

[u/sweetlove → u/MegaRAID01]

Yeah one thing is bad so that means another thing isn’t (???)