A recent study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has shed light on the potential consequences of raising posted speed limits.
The study found that the increases may not significantly save time or improve traffic flow, but could lead to a rise in the number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
The research examined 12 different roadway sites, all of which had newly adjusted speed limits.
Out of the 12 sites, six had their speed limits raised, while the remaining six experienced lowered speed limits. These sites encompassed a variety of road types, providing a comprehensive overview of the impact of speed limit adjustments.
Key Findings
- Raising posted speed limits was associated with increased crashes on two of three interstate highways.
- Lowering posted speed limits led to fewer crashes in many cases examined. But the likelihood of speed limit violations increased after lowering posted speed limits, suggesting the need for better public awareness education tied to these changes.
- Changes in travel times were small in response to both raised and lowered speed limits.
These findings indicate that altering speed limits alone may not significantly affect travel times.
Mark Jenkins, the spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group, emphasized the importance of adopting a holistic approach when setting or changing speed limits.
He stated, “Our study found no one-size-fits-all answer regarding the impact of changing speed limits.”
“AAA urges transportation officials to apply a “holistic” approach when setting or changing posted speed limits and prioritize safety over speed and capacity,” he added.
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Dangers of Speeding
The study also highlighted the dangers associated with speeding.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding played a critical role in more than 42,000 traffic deaths in both 2021 and 2022, marking the highest levels in 16 years.
NHTSA reports indicated that speeding was a contributing factor in nearly 29% of fatalities in 2021 and 27% in 2022.
In light of these findings, AAA recommends that any changes in posted speed limits should take into account various factors, such as road type, surrounding land use, and historical crash data. Additionally, AAA supports the implementation of automated speed enforcement programs but emphasizes the importance of careful implementation to maintain community support, prioritize equity, and consistently improve safety.
Jennifer Ryan, the director of state relations for AAA, expressed concern about the recent trend in statehouses to raise speed limits across the country.
“The movement in statehouses to raise speed limits is happening across the country in at least eight states this year,” Bryan said.
“But the benefits are overrated, and the risks are understated. Increasing speed limits does not always yield the positive results envisioned by traffic planners,” Ryan continued.
This study represents the third phase of the AAA Foundation’s research on the impact of posted speed limit changes on safety.
The first phase involved gathering input from traffic engineers on how speed limits are determined and the factors considered in adjusting them. The second phase involved crash testing, which revealed that even small increases in speed can have severe and potentially deadly consequences on crash outcomes.
