Comment 99650

By kevlahan (registered) | Posted April 02, 2014 at 14:35:30 in reply to Comment 99646

Even without any re-engineering, just look at the change in attitude regarding drinking and driving. It used to be regarded as completely acceptable to drink and drive, unless you were obviously very drunk. Now it isn't.

In this case, re-engineering the streets to make it difficult, if not impossible, to drive fast without paying attention means less reliance on enforcement to change behaviour. But I agree that there is a big gap between the law and official advice, and what people actual feel is okay.

According to the law, the speed limit is an absolute maximum, with no wiggle room. And it not a minimum: often the safe speed, especially in urban areas, is much less that the maximum. And yet, most drivers feel that if (motor vehicle) traffic doesn't limit speed, then the posted limit is a minimum speed and that they shouldn't even get ticketed for doing, say, 10km/h over the limit.

It is actually pretty easy to engineer a street that is safe for drivers, but feels very uncomfortable driving at much over 30km/h. Some drivers might try it, but most won't. And that will set a new behavioural norm.

Comment edited by kevlahan on 2014-04-02 14:37:35

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