Increasing highway speed limits can lead to more crashes on side streets, AAA study shows

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Higher speed limits on the freeway can lead to more crashes on side roads, a new study conducted by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found.

Referred to as the “Spillover Effect,” this study examined the speeding behaviors of drivers. When speed limits were raised on the highways, local transportation agencies saw an increase in crashes on local streets.

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Researchers studied crash data before and after the speed limits were adjusted and conducted hotspot analyses on roads within a mile radius of interstates.

It was discovered that many speed-related crashes increased on the roads where there was a change in the interstate speed limit. These results suggest that drivers getting off the highway continued their speedy tendencies.

“Although increasing posted speed limits may drive nominal improvements in traffic flow, it also creates unintended consequences in the surrounding community,” Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group said. “For one thing, higher speeds result in more severe traffic crashes. Additionally, this new research demonstrates that drivers will be moving faster when transitioning onto local streets, which are designed for slower speeds and diverse road users such as pedestrians and cyclists—not for speeding drivers.”

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They hope this research can steer road authorities to find an effective way to identify hot spots so that comprehensive plans can be made for lifesaving solutions to create safer roads.

AAA highlighted the Safe System Approach, which uses thoughtful road and vehicle designs to minimize the likelihood of crashes when drivers make mistakes.

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