The 85th-percentile is a nationally recognized method, which sets the ideal speed limit according to the speed at or below which 85 percent of drivers travel.
After a year of conducting traffic studies, the Michigan Department of Transportation, or MDOT, gave the green light to raising speed limits along parts of Saginaw Highway and Grand River Avenue. MDOT's findings concluded traffic was moving too slowly in these areas, and speed limits increased by 10 mph.
Michigan law says speed limits must abide by a traffic study's findings.
City officials oppose the increased speed limits, claiming higher speeds in partially residential areas is too dangerous. However, it stands to reason that if you are living on either of the roads in question, you have already taken into account the high traffic volume. Regardless of speed, high traffic areas warrant heightened caution for pedestrians and home owners.
This is a college town; most drivers are students trying to get from home to class, from point A to point B, in the shortest amount of time possible. If traffic is not moving fast enough, heavy traffic volume will create unnecessary hassle.
These speed limit changes are warranted. As long as drivers keep their eyes peeled and pay attention to the road, the speed increase will be efficient.
MDOT is only following the state law: "When speed limits are set on county roads, the road commission and the State Police conduct the necessary traffic studies and examine any unique conditions. Based on their findings, the two agencies determine the reasonable and proper speed for that road."
The studies show drivers are already disregarding the speed limit and driving at the newly proposed speeds. Given the fact that Saginaw Highway and Grand River Avenue are two of East Lansing's main throughways, speed limits should not be unnecessarily sluggish.
The 85th-percentile speed results in uniform traffic flow and fewer accidents. Blatant speeders are easy to spot, and law enforcement will not enforce unrealistic speed limits. Studies show that posting appropriate speeds simplifies the job of enforcers. Drivers pass and tailgate less often and are less impatient.
