Raising speed limits not a safe way to go

Carson City transportation and law enforcement officials have long expressed concerns about excessive speeding within the city, so recent news regarding proposed state legislation to raise the limit in some school zones comes as a surprise.

The proposed bill from Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, would raise the speed limit to 20 mph near middle schools and 25 mph near high schools. The current 15 mph school zone speed limit would remain for elementary schools. School crossings, which are the routes heavily traveled by students on their way to and from school, typically have 25 mph speed limits.

According to Washington, the bill is ready for introduction Feb. 2, the first day of the upcoming legislative session.

A representative from a southern Nevada safety group criticized the effort to raise speed limits in schools zones, citing likely increases in accidents, including the possible rise of fatal incidents.

From what Carson City transportation officials report, raising speed limits near schools would exacerbate the existing problem of motorists exceeding speed limits in those areas. One transit representative says a disturbing problem locally involves parents who observe the speed limit as they drive their children to school, but exceed posted limits as they leave.

Data from electronic monitoring -- those roadside trailers with digital speed limit readouts often seen in school zones -- supports this observation.

Based on complaints to the city, speeders often are "neighbors" living within residential areas. That means the very people who should be most aware of the dangers of speeding in local neighborhoods are the ones ignoring the risks.

Not surprisingly, the city says many traffic accidents are speed related and influenced by Carson's steadily growing traffic. With the bypass years away from completion, major relief from congestion is not expected for a while.

That, of course, can try the patience of motorists in a city where many arteries, such as Carson Street through downtown and Roop or Stewart streets, have 25 mph limits. However, the answer is not to test those restrictions and put yourself or others in harm's way.

Traffic "calming" doesn't begin and end with speed bumps, electronic speed signs or police patrols. Safer motoring is in the hands of all of us who drive within the city. A reminder for motorists to slow down and obey the posted limit represents a good first step to safer driving.

As for raising limits in school zones, we don't see the merits and strongly hope this legislation stalls for lack of support.