speed zone – The Wise Drive

Q: Who sets speed limits and how are they decided?

A: Should we start with the science or the politics? Let’s start with politics, since that gets us on track to answer the first part of the question. Because speed limits are enforceable laws, they are set by elected officials. At the state level, RCW 46.61.400 defines the speed limits for city streets at 25 MPH, county roads at 50 MPH and freeways at 60 MPH. However, the next few sections of the RCW specify situations where state and local officials can adjust speed limits as appropriate. In Whatcom County, for example, our statutory speed on county roads is 35 MPH. For our local roads, the elected officials with authority to change speed limits are the members of a city or county council, which, if I recall correctly from my high school civics class, make up the legislative branch of our local government. I just point this out for the folks who feel the need to criticize a speed limit during the issuance of a speeding ticket. The police are part of the executive branch; they enforce the laws, but they don’t get to make them. As part of the issuance of the ticket, the officer will give the offender an opportunity have a day in court, our judicial branch, and tadaa! We’ve included all three branches of government in this article. Continue reading “Who Sets The Speed Limits?”

Q: When a road’s speed limit changes, let’s say from 35mph up to 50mph, does the increased speed limit take effect once you can see the new sign or only after you pass the sign?

A: I was curious about this myself, so I asked a traffic engineer the same question. He began by directing me to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). This 800-plus page book is like the Bible to traffic engineers, providing guidance on all aspects of signs and markings on roadways. In the chapter on speed limits, the MUTCD states that speed limit signs “shall be located at the points of change from one speed limit to another.” Relying on the MUTCD, drivers should not accelerate until reaching an increased speed limit sign. I can already hear some grumbling about that answer. Keep reading. Beyond the MUTCD, the traffic engineer also brought up some additional points, including the reasons for speed limit changes and a variation on “speed kills.” Continue reading “Speed Zones – Where Do They Change?”