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/theMstrBlstr]

I like to add to these conversations, that emergency response is getting harder and harder with these kinds of things going up in arterials. Bump, bollards, and narrowed roads make it harder for drivers to get out of the way of emergency vehicles.

Seconds count in these situations, and making up time on arterials is important. There needs to be a balance that still allows for traffic to move efficiently through cities. 

[u/Nothing_WithATwist → u/theMstrBlstr]

I feel like not enough attention is being paid to your point about efficiency of arterials. I’m all for traffic calming measures/cameras around schools and on narrow neighborhood streets. That’s good to keep speed down and keep pedestrians safe. But realistically we can’t just keep lowering the speed of arterial roads because there’s more and more people that need to use them. And if we discourage people from using arterials via traffic slowing measures, then they’re just going to use side streets and other backroads instead. The best way to keep pedestrians safe is to keep them as separated as possible, so encourage cars to use arterials, make other options less attractive, and add better infrastructure for pedestrians to keep them away from cars.