17.12 Speeding Countermeasures: Communicating Appropriate Speed Limits

Motorists purposefully or inadvertently driving over the speed limit increases crash risks. Despite motorists failing to comply with speed limits in many situations, it is important to clearly communicate speed limits to motorists using visible signs and markers (Table 17.3).

Table 17.3 Strategies to Communicate Speed Limits
Strategy	Guideline
Improve Speed Limit Signage	Place speed limit signs where motorists expect to see them (e.g., downstream of a major intersection). Use advance notice signs to inform motorists of downstream speed changes (e.g., Reduced Speed Ahead signs). Install larger speed limit signs where roadsides are cluttered by commercial signs and other traffic signs.
Install Active Speed Warning Signs	Locate signs in areas where speeding has been observed or where speeding compromises safety (e.g., school zones, sharp horizontal curves, stretches with a history of speed-related crashes).
Use In-Pavement Measures to Alert Drivers of Needed Speed Reductions	Install features that alert motorists of required speed changes (e.g., transverse lines, chevron lines, and rumble strips).
Use Changeable Message Signs in High-Speed Areas	Locate changeable message signs in areas where they can deliver timely traffic information to drivers. Signs can be used to communicate: Traffic conditions Presence of work zones Weather and road conditions Speed limits Detour/directional information Crashes and incidents

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