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Speed limits
In Florida, speed limits are set by Chapter 316 of the Florida Statutes that deals with the "State Uniform Traffic Control."
Florida Statutes Chapter 316.187 authorizes the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to set maximum and minimum speed limits for travel on the roadways under its authority as it deems safe and advisable, not to exceed 55 miles per hour, 65 mph on certain designated segments of interstate highways.
Florida Statutes, Chapter 316.189 authorizes the establishment of municipal and county speed zones maintained by these agencies. This section sets the maximum speed on any municipal or county maintained road at 30 mph. However, the municipality or county may set higher or lower speed zones for such roads if such a change is reasonable and in conformity with the criteria established by the FDOT.
Traffic engineers throughout the country use a normal driver's speed as a guide in setting speed limits since most drivers tend to regulate their own speed according to traffic, road and weather conditions.
For a speed limit to be effective, at least 85 percent of drivers must voluntarily comply with the law. It is important to remember that the speed regulation informs the driver of the limits in which one can safely operate a vehicle under normal circumstances and within which the driver can be expected to react safely. Setting speed limits at appropriate levels will create a reasonable uniform flow of traffic, discourage violation of the law and help keep streets and highways safe.
White and yellow speed signs
Speed limit signs with a black message on a white background are regulatory signs; while speed advisory signs with a black message on a yellow background are warning signs.
Regulatory signs are used to impose legal restrictions applicable to particular locations and the restrictions are not enforceable without these signs.
Warning signs are used to call attention to hazardous conditions, actual or potential, which otherwise would not be readily apparent, (i.e., advisory speed signs around a curve). The established advisory speed at a curve is based on the safe and comfortable speed for the drive.
Should speed limits be lowered to reduce accidents?
Many years of research have proven that lower speed limits do not appreciably alter traffic speeds. Tests have been conducted where the numbers on speed signs have been arbitrarily raised and lowered to see what effect this would have on traffic. Speed checks taken before and after such changes revealed that speeds remained nearly the same regardless of the posted speed limit. These studies validate the notion that drivers select driving speeds intuitively based on the environment around them and the speeds with which they feel comfortable and safe.
Other research studies have shown that speed limits set arbitrarily below the reasonable speeds adopted by the majority of drivers do not significantly reduce the number of accidents. In fact, the opposite appears to be the case; accidents may increase with unreasonably low speed limits.