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What are the Types of Speed Limits? REGULATORY SPEED LIMIT SIGN $PEED LIMIT 50 This black and white sign shows the maximum speed that a motorist may travel under ideal conditions. It can be a statutory value or else it must be authorized by the commissioner of transportation. ADVISORY SPEED SIGN 25 MPH This black and yellow speed sign is used to advise motorists of a comfortable speed to navigate certain situations. It is used with a warning sign. For instance, when traveling on a winding road, the curve waming sign would be used with an advisory speed sign. This sign may be posted by the local road authority on local roads. SPEED LIMITS IN SCHOOL ZONES $cHoot.i • SPEED LIMIT 20 Local authorities may establish school speed limits on local streets, within a school zone, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation as prescribed by the commissioner of transportation. This regulatory speed limit is in effect whenever children are present, such as before and after school or during recess. The school plate is black and yellow and the other signs are black and white. Optional flourescent yellow green may be used for the school plate. SPEED LIMITS IN WORK ZONES •Advisory speed limits are used to identify safe speeds for specific conditions within a work zone. These black and orange signs are always used with warning signs. The local road authority can post these plates in work zones on local roads. $PEED LIMIT 40 SPEED LIMIT Work zone speed limits are short term regulatory speed limits that are established for worker safety due to traffic in adjacent lanes. These speed limits range from 20 mph to 40 mph on two lane -two way roads and up to 55 mph on divided highways. They can be posted by the local road authority in active work zones on local roads. The FINES DOUBLE plate is black and orange and the speed limit sign is black and white. Temporary speed limits in construction zones are sometimes needed for long term construction projects or detour routes. These regulatory black and white signs are used when a reduced speed is needed for driver safety. Valid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, these must be authorized by the commissioner of transportation for any roadway. See the website: www.dot.state.mn.us /speed for more information on "Work Zone Speed Guidelines" Safety Notes Questions & Answers Will lowering the speed limit reduce speeds? NO. Studies show that there is little change in the speed pattern after the posting of a speed limit. The driver is much more influenced by the roadway conditions. WM lowering the speed limit reduce crash frequency? NO. Although lowering the speed limit is often seen as a cure -all in preventing crashes, this is not the case. Crashes are most often the result of driver inattention and driver error. However, if a posted speed limit is unrealistically low, it creates a greater speed variance (i.e. some drivers follow the speed limit while most drive the reasonable speed). This speed variance can contribute to crashes. • Why do we even have speed limits? A uniform speed of vehicles in a traffic flow results in the safest operation. The posted speed limits can keep the traffic flowing smoothly provided the majority of drivers find the speed limits reasonable. To best do this, the limits must be consistent throughout the state. The speed limits also give the motorist an idea of a reasonable speed to drive in an unfamiliar location. The speed limits are used by police officials to identify excessive speeds and curb unreasonable behavior. Who Do I Contact? If you believe that there is a safety concern or an inappropriate speed limit posted, the person to contact depends on the type of road. TRUNK HIGHWAYS For regulatory and advisory speed limits on the trunk highway system, you may contact the district traffic engineer at your Mn/DOT district office. The trunk highway system includes: EInterstate Highways, U.S. Highways and ❑ Minnesota State Highways LOCAL STREETS AND HIGHWAYS For these roadways, you may contact your local road authority (county, city, or township). For advisory speed limits: The local road authority can determine these advisory speeds and post the plates without authorization from the commissioner of transportation. For regulatory speed limits: The local road authority can pass a resolution requesting an investigation by Mn/DOT. Based upon the results, Mn/DOT may then authorize the local road authority to post new speed limits. The phone numbers to call for state or local assistance can be found in the phone book under government listings. If you are unable to find the proper phone number, you may call the Mn/DOT Information Center at the following numbers: 1- 800 - 657 -3774 Greater Minnesota or 651- 296 -3000 Twin Cities Metro Area J DOUBLE FINES will be imposed for violating any regulatory speed limits in work zones or in school zones. Fines are also double for failing to reduce speed when passing by a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights flashing. When an EMERGENCY VEHICLE is approaching you, move to the closest shoulder without crossing the path of the approaching emergency vehicle. You may proceed when the emergency vehicle passes you. If you are approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights flashing, immediately reduce speed and, if it's safe to do so, move over in your lane away from the stopped emergency vehicle. Drivers should actually change lanes if there are two or more lanes in the same direction and there are no vehicles in their path. 411