| Examiner Coverage |
|
|
More D.C. drivers are obeying the speed limit, even in areas that don’t have speed cameras, according to an AAA Mid-Atlantic analysis.
The study, conducted by Howard University and based on data from the D.C. Department of Transportation, showed that drivers are slowing down and following the speed limit in 70 percent of areas not covered by speed cameras. For example, the average speed on the 14th Street Bridge, where the speed limit is 40 miles per hour, was 49 in 2006 and 37 in 2010.
Speeds in other locations around the District also dropped.
AAA used the data to argue that there was no need for 15-mile-per-hour speed limits in residential areas, as recently proposed by two D.C. Council members.
“D.C. is taking care of its speed problem for Pete’s sake. Their own study shows that speeds are coming down. So now they’re going to pull out a sledgehammer to go after a gnat,” AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman Lon Anderson said.
But supporters of the lower speeds say something still needs to be done to slow drivers on residential streets.
