Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
Is there really a decent sized portion of the populace that feels the need for lower residential speed limits? I haven't spoken to anyone that is for it. I'm sure there are some out there in certain areas with legitimate concerns but as a whole it's just not something that should have got this far in the first place as it's going to get shot down via plebiscite.
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There are lots and lots of people who support lower residential speed limits, if you frame the argument in particular ways. The perception that it'll reduce collisions and injuries is strong, and that matters more than the reality of whether it'll work or not.
Lots of people support it on the basis that a collision at 30 km/h as compared to 50 km/h will not cause as many serious injuries to a pedestrian. There are lots of people who support "Vision Zero" and all that: the idea that we can and should try to eliminate all fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. (I support the general principle that we should make our roads safer, but I don't support blanket speed limit reductions to do so [because they won't].)
Lots of other people support it on the basis that it's safer for their kids; less chance of an unfortunate kid darting out, chasing after a ball or whatever, getting hit by a car because a car at 30 km/h can stop much more quickly than one at 50 km/h. (I think they should be better parents and teach their kids proper road safety rules.)
Lots of people have anecdotal experiences with "speeders" in their neighbourhood and they want the cops to put a stop to it.
In reality the number of collisions on residential roads is so small it's almost a statistical error. In reality most people don't speed on residential roads to begin with. But most people care less about reality than they do their perceptions.
To wit: I have been yelled at by an old coot for driving less than 40 km/h down my street.
Her perception was that I was "speeding", but in reality I was going about 38 km/h. I asked her how fast she thought I was going, she said it didn't matter exactly: "too fast". I told her I was going about 38 km/h, she said I was lying: I was obviously going faster than that. I told her to go get a radar gun or **** off. People like that can't be reasoned with with pesky things like "facts" and "proof": they don't care. Perception > reality.