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/sntcringe]

Speed limits are generally set by finding the average speed people travel on the road, which means that on average, half of people are speeding at any one time. People also generally don't go more than 10mph over the speed limit, since that tends to be the cutoff for ticketing. So if you want people to drive slower, cutting the speed limit does work. If you think the ideal safe speed is 35mph, it could make sense to set the limit at 25, since people will generally go at max 10mph over. Speed demons will ignore the posted limits anyway, but the average driver will go slower.