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Setting Speed Limits |
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All 50 states base their speed regulations on the Basic Speed Law. "No person shall drive a vehicle.... at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent...and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property." The following speed limits are set by state law or Thurston County code:
Speed limits between 20 and 50 mph other than those described above are established based on traffic engineering investigations. The safe and reasonable limit is usually close to the speed at which 85 percent of drivers are traveling. Traffic studies have shown that accidents increase if the speed limit is set far above or below this "85th percentile speed." Another important measurement, the "pace speed," is the 10 mph range in which the majority of cars are traveling. If the posted limit is lower than the 10 mph pace speed or far above the 85th percentile speed, many drivers will ignore the signs and continue to travel at higher speeds. Other drivers will heed the signs and travel near the posted limit. When cars travel at different speeds, problems such as tailgating, illegal passing and congestion arise. The gaps in traffic through which vehicles may safely turn or cross the road are also reduced. Studies show that when speeds are not uniform, accidents generally increase. Most drivers travel at speeds that are comfortable for them and are influenced more by traffic and road conditions than the posted speed limit. "Before and after" studies have shown no significant changes in average vehicle speeds after posting new speed limits. What if I disagree with the posted speed limit? Call Thurston County Public Works, Traffic Division at (360) 786-5495. (TDD line (360) 754-2933.) A traffic employee will record your service request and begin an investigation based on the principles described in this brochure. Please give us as many details as you can about the problems on the road where you are requesting a change. We want to work closely with you to clearly define and address your concerns. When investigating a traffic problem, we consider not only the vehicle speeds and accident history along the road, but all the road features. These features include the grade, alignment, pavement and shoulder conditions, spacing of intersections, amount and type of traffic, and sight distance (the distance from which the drivers can spot oncoming traffic). Often we can improve driver and pedestrian safety without changing the speed limit. Posting an appropriate speed limit makes enforcement easier, since most drivers will voluntarily travel at the posted speed. Blatant speeders are spotted easily, safe drivers aren’t penalized, and patrol officers aren’t asked to enforce arbitrary or unrealistic speed limits. How are speed limits changed? If our investigation determines that the speed limit should be changed, the following actions will be taken:
What else can I do to control speeds in my neighborhood? Thurston County promotes speed-control programs such as the Neighborhood Speed Watch. Through this program, people can monitor speeds and help educate drivers in their neighborhood about following the posted limit. Call Thurston County Public Works at (360) 786-5495 for more information about this program or to request enforcement in nonresidential areas. September 2009 Speed Limit Revisions: Durgin Road SE, from Dead End to Old Pacific Highway SE, unposted 50 mph to 35 mph. Mullen Road SE, from Meridian Road SE to SR 510, unposted 50 mph to 35 mph. 61st Avenue NE, from Johnson Point Road NE to Puget Road NE, posted 35 mph to 25 mph. 65th Avenue SE, from Henderson Boulevard SE to Desperado Drive SE, unposted 50 mph to 35 mph. 81st Avenue NW, from Steamboat Island Road NW to Dead End, unposted 50 mph to 25 mph.
Who can I contact about speed limit revisions?
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