The function of setting a speed limit on the roads has a logical purpose, which is to ensure maximum safety and efficiency in driving for motorists. On average, roads in the United States have a speed limit of 70 mph, but there is one state that still resists changing it. It is New York, where Bill A35571 has been proposed, currently in the New York Assembly awaiting approval. According to Senator Tom O’Mara, this type of speed limit increase would be favorable in more rural areas along the Thruway, I-86, I-390, and I-81.
Although it is common practice to reduce speed limits to combat speeding, the truth is that in many cases slightly increasing the speed limit also results in increased safety. Both law enforcement officers, as well as engineers and traffic officials, are responsible for determining the optimal speed, taking into account the road width, conditions, intersections, and many other aspects.
Changing speed limits
The average speed limit in the United States is about 70 miles per hour in practically all states. However, there is one state that seems to resist: New York, where the limit remains 65 miles per hour. Setting speed limits depends on various factors, although its main goal is clear: to ensure the highest possible road safety and driving efficiency. To establish a speed limit, a specific method is usually used, the 85th percentile method.
This method takes as a reference the speed at which 85% of drivers normally travel on that road, and sets the limit just below it. Additionally, it is the responsibility of law enforcement, engineers, and traffic officers to take into account aspects such as road conditions, its width, the intersections present, slopes, and other factors that may affect safety.The area in which it is located must also be taken into account, as if it is a place with schools or construction zones, the limits must be much lower.
Is it safe to increase a speed limit?
The most common approach is to see authorities reduce speed limits in order to combat speeding. However, it has also been shown that increasing the speed limit can improve road safety. How is this possible? Well, the truth is that if the limit is set very low, there will be those who obey it and those who do not. This creates a disparity in speeds on the road, increasing the risk of side swipes and rear-end collisions.
It also happens that if faster drivers catch up to slower traffic, they will have less reaction time and braking distance. All of this creates a perfect scenario where safety is compromised. In response to this situation, New York proposed bill A3 5571 in the New York Assembly, which suggested “an increase of the maximum speed limit to 70 miles per hour for trips on roads that currently have a maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour”.
New York higher speed limit
Currently, the bill is in the committee assembly, awaiting approval, allowing New York to have the same speed limit as the rest of the states in the country, thus enjoying a more reasonable and safer speed. As with everything, there are opponents who believe that increasing the speed will lead to a higher percentage of collisions. However, Senator Tom O’Mara explained, ‘It makes sense for the comfort and efficiency of motorists, certainly in the more rural areas of the state along the Thruway, I-86, I-390, and I-81, for example”.
It was in 1995 when the 65 miles per hour speed limit was established in New York, so 30 years later is more than a reasonable time to make this change, thereby speeding up traffic in the more rural areas and promoting faster, more efficient, and safer driving, adapted to changes over time and especially to infrastructure improvements.