Making Speed Management Work
The success of any speed management program is enhanced by coordination and cooperation among the engineering, enforcement, and educational disciplines. An additional key component in a successful speed management program is for consistent, effective public outreach programs to support traffic safety strategies and countermeasures. The likelihood of success is increased when Federal, State, local, and private sector partners work together to reduce speeding-related fatalities and injuries. However, with over 35,000 owners and operators of roadways and nearly 20,000 police agencies, this is not an easy task.
As a first step, we plan to facilitate the formation of speed management working groups in State and local communities across the Nation to create localized action plans that identify specific speeding problems and the actions necessary to address them and restore the credibility of posted speed limits. If the problem of speeding and speed management is to be addressed successfully, the working group needs to address these issues:
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How to effectively overcome institutional and jurisdictional barriers to setting appropriate speed limits and enforcement practices.
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How to effectively coordinate with stakeholders across organizational and jurisdictional concerns to improve support needed for establishing effective speed management.
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How to effectively communicate and exchange information between the transportation disciplines and the public to reinforce the importance of setting and enforcing appropriate speed limits.
In addition, we are supporting a national forum with highway safety leaders that addresses how States, local communities and the private sector can collaboratively work to: 1) identify effective strategies for reducing speeding-related fatalities and injuries; 2) coordinate Federal, State, local and private sector speeding-related policies and programs; and 3) identify additional research, data and programs to be undertaken. The focus of the discussion will include all types of vehicles – automobiles, motorcycles, and commercial motor vehicles. The outcome of the meeting will be an action agenda developed by all the participants.
This strategic initiative is intended to provide the guidance and tools that will enable State and local authorities to more effectively manage speed and reduce speeding-related fatalities. It involves a holistic approach that addresses public attitudes, road user behavior, vehicle performance, roadway design and characteristics, speed zoning practice, and enforcement strategies.