Letter to the editor: Radar and reasonable speed limits | TribLIVE.com
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Letter to the editor: Radar and reasonable speed limits

Tribune-Review
| Tuesday, July 20, 2021 5:00 a.m.

Regarding the use of radar by local police departments (“Senate OKs local police using radar for speed enforcement,” June 23, TribLIVE): Before this practice is allowed, speed limits need to be set at the 85th percentile of prevailing speeds as outlined in the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices and reiterated in Federal Highway Administration Report No. FHWA/RD-85/096 Technical Summary, “Synthesis of Speed Zoning Practice,” which states: “Based on the best available evidence, the speed limit should be set at the speed driven by 85% to 90% of the free-moving vehicles rounded up to the next 5-mph increment. This method results in speed limits that are not only acceptable to a majority of the motorists, but also fall within the speed range where accident risk is lowest. No other factors need to be considered since they are reflected in the drivers’ speed choice.”

Many roads have underposted limits that are ignored by the majority of drivers. Route 22 between Murrysville and Delmont is posted at 45 mph, and most motorists cruise along at 60 mph or more. If the Murrysville Police get hold of radar, they will be able to issue citations to 95% of motorists on the road. Are they all criminals? Should our focus be safety or revenue?

Unless reasonable speed limits based on the 85th percentile are part of the package, Senate Bill 419 should not be passed.

Mark Milchak

Unity


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