Comment 80249

By Simon (registered) - website | Posted August 30, 2012 at 16:01:43

Traffic engineers are taught that enforcement and posted speed limits have a minimal effect on driver behavior. In realty, the geometry of a road controls the speed drivers travel - not what arbitrary speed limit is posted or if there is a cop hiding behind a telephone pole.

For example Linc to Rousseau Street. On the Link - drivers are traveling around 110 because they are on a two lane divided highway and that feels about the right speed. Its posted at 90 - but it was designed for a speed of about 110 or 120 - so drivers are traveling at pretty much the exact speed the road was designed for.

You exit to Rousseau - and all of a sudden there are islands in the roadway, boulevards, trees, curves - drivers immediately know that they are no longer on an expressway and slow down to an appropriate speed.

In contrast - Burlington Street - where I pass a traffic cop pretty much every day. Physically divided or divided by a turning lane, 2 lanes wide each direction, straight, synchronized stop lights / overpasses - yet arbitrarily posted at 50. I feel perfectly comfortable driving around 80 or 90 - so am I a "dangerous" driver? Is it my fault that Burlington Street seems to be posted at 30 or 40 km/h below its design speed? Maybe the colossal potholes warrant a reduced posting?

Or is the cop just set up at an easy spot to cash in? (And yes I do slow down every day at his usual hiding spot - until I'm sure that he's not there).

Comment edited by Simon on 2012-08-30 16:04:48

Permalink | Context

Events Calendar

There are no upcoming events right now.
Why not post one?

Recent Articles

Article Archives

Blog Archives

Site Tools

Feeds