Speeding

[Weatherhead]

The way a speed limit is set, per traffic engineering policy (provided local politics don't get in the way i.e. revenue streams, overly conservative city and county engineers, etc) is that the traffic speed is monitored and the limit is set at the 85th percentile - in that 85% of the observed normal daily traffic is at or under the speed limit. In Minnesota the State DOT sets all "legally" set speed limits. The State does not proactively set speed limits, except on new roads, so cities are often unlikely to request a speed study because they are afraid the limit will go up...also speed limits are not to be dropped or raised at borders in anything other than 10 MPH increments...I've been trying to get Centerville to ask for a speed study to get rid of our edge of town speed trap 50 to 35 way to soon coming into town - but of course the City makes money and is worried that the Sate would raise the limit...if fact what would happen is the 50 would likely go to 55 then a drop to 40 and ultimately 30 in town.