How do you go about getting a speed limit lowered?

Question

My residential street has a 30 mph speed limit. For years, the entire block complained to the county. I gave them permission to sit in my driveway and pull radar. I found out talking to the sheriffs that they've been catching people going over 60 mph on a residential street that has no curbs and no sidewalks. People walk in the road with these idiots just flying past and not even moving over. So, my question would be, how do I get the speed limit from 30 to 20 or 25 that a residential street should be and have these people going over 60 lose their license for reckless driving?

Answer 1

go to city hall  

Answer 2

First of all, in my city the limit on residential speeds is 35-40mph, 20 is the speed in alleys and is stupidly slow.  30mph more than reasonable, it will not be lowered.  You need to focus on enforcement of that, so talk to the sheriffs department.  Or just stop whining.

Answer 3

Speed limits are customarily established based on a study of the prevailing speeds on a particular roadway.  The prevailing speed is traditionally the 85th percentile speed of a sample of 100 or more vehicles.  The 85th percentile speed is the speed at or below which 85 percent of the traffic is travelling.

Lowering the speed limit will not induce the speeders to slow down.  The 30 mph speed limit does not deter them from speeding, so whatever the speed limit is, they will disregrd it.

It is usually the same people who have become accustomed to speeding in your road.  If you can, try to get a description of the speeders cars, make, color, plate n°, etc, and the time of day they go by.  Keep a record.  Provide that information to the police.  Have your neighbors do the same.  As the police develop a file, they will increase enforcement in the area.  The time of day really helps them to target enforcement.

Performing a speed study with the intention of lowering the speed limit when there is a high percentage of speeders has the wrong effect - the study would show the 85th percentile speed to be higher than the posted speed limit and the speed limit to be appropriate.

You need the police enforcement to discourage speeding before performing a speed study.  When the speeders realize that it is unwise to speed in a particular area, because of the enforcement of the posted speed limit, that is the time to perform the speed study, because the 85th percentile speed will be lower.

Answer 4

Go to your municipal government and get an application to petition. Pass this around to all voters in the area - even those who don't live on your block - as many as you can. Submit your petition to the traffic control dept where you live. Then take a copy of your petition to a town council meeting and present your concerns along with a copy of your 'supporting documentation.'

Also, check the driver's handbook for the state where you live and see what it says about residential speed limits. If it says 30 for residential, send your petition to the state legislature as well. Don't be afraid to phone or email as well.  Your safety and well-being are at stake.

All the best.

Answer 5

you could get it lowered but it probably wont help if they are going over 60 already, ask for speed bumps too!