Sweeping Speed Limit Reductions Proposed for Seattle's Streets

Two Seattle councilmembers are proposing a large, necessary step toward slowing drivers enough to eliminate traffic deaths in the city.

1 minute read

September 15, 2016, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


20's Plenty

kandu's photos / Flickr

"Seattle City Councilmembers Tim Burgess and Mike O’Brien announced a proposal to lower speed limits throughout much of the City of Seattle to limits currently found throughout every other city in King County," reports Ryan Packer.

The proposal would "lower the unsigned speed limit on all non-arterial neighborhood streets" throughout the city to 20 mph and lower the speed limit on center city streets to 25 mph. Packer notes that the change would be a significant gesture toward the city's stated Vision Zero goals of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. "Previous moves that the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has made in pursuit of this goal include the restriction of right turns on red on some problem intersections in Downtown, as well as highly visible distracted driving and anti-DUI campaigns that focus on the personal responsibility aspect of traffic safety," adds Packer. 

Wednesday, September 14, 2016 in The Urbanist

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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