Introduction The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) defines a speed limit as “the maximum lawful vehicle speed for a specific location.” The purpose of a speed limit is to restrict traffic flow to a speed that is safe for the conditions. High rate of speed is a leading cause of traffic fatalities and injuries, making speed management essential for road safety. Research shows that the risk to pedestrians increases significantly as driver speed increases. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1 13 percent of pedestrians will die or suffer a severe injury if hit by a vehicle traveling at 20 miles per hour (mph), 40 percent at 30 mph, and 73 percent at 40 mph. These statistics highlight the critical need for immediate and sustained efforts to manage speeds effectively and save lives. Conventional approaches to setting speed limits typically result in high rates of speed that can be less safe for all users. Furthermore, many drivers default to traveling 5 to 10 mph above the posted speed limit. Safe speed , a key element of the Safe System Approach, represents an alternative paradigm for speed limits and speed management. The Safe System Approach is a globally recognized practice for reducing and eventually eliminating fatalities and serious injuries. The purpose of this White Paper is to provide the City of Fort Worth with a solid overview of the latest research and practices in setting speed limits within the U.S. and recommend the next steps in establishing safe speeds as part of the city’s Vision Zero Safety Action Plan effort. Data Findings In Fort Worth, Texas, speeding is both a frequent occurrence and a significant contributor to severe injury crashes. Recent safety analysis from the State of Safety Report (2024) reveals that speeding was involved in 28.2 percent of all crashes and 35.8 percent of crashes resulting in killed or serious injuries (KSI). Higher speed greatly increases the frequency and severity of traffic crashes, resulting in a high rate of fatalities and serious injuries, especially among vulnerable road users (VRUs) as shown in Figure 1.
1 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2023). Pedestrian resource guide. https:/ www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/sites/tsm.gov/files/2023-08/2023%20Pedestrian%20Resource%20Guide.pdf
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