Pedestrian Safety Starts With Slower Streets
Study reveals the positive impact of lowering speed limits
Ask someone the right speed for a neighborhood street and you’ll get different answers depending on who you ask. A commuter behind the wheel may see it as just another stretch of road on the way to work. A parent, neighbor, or dog walker may see it as the heart of their community, where kids play, neighbors gather, and life unfolds.
For decades, traffic engineers and lawmakers mostly thought about speed from the driver’s perspective. Smooth traffic flow and fewer delays were the main goals. But that mindset is shifting. More and more, communities are asking: what about non-motorists? Increasingly, the answer is to slow vehicles down to prevent pedestrian accidents.
Why have speed limits overlooked pedestrians for so long?
The focus has typically always been on vehicles, such as how to move them more quickly and efficiently. Pedestrian safety was rarely part of the equation. That oversight has come at a steep cost.
Today, pedestrian fatalities make up nearly one in five roadway deaths. Since 2009, pedestrian deaths have climbed 78%. Those numbers represent real people and families devastated by crashes that might have been prevented with safer speeds.
How much difference does speed really make in a pedestrian crash?
The difference between being struck at 20 mph versus 40 mph is life-changing. At 20 mph, a pedestrian faces an 18% chance of being severely injured. At 30 mph, the risk jumps to 50%. At 40 mph, it skyrockets to 81%. Small increases in speed create massive differences in survival.
That’s why more cities are reducing default limits. For instance, Seattle lowered its residential speed limit from 25 to 20 mph in 2016, while Boston reduced its default speed limit from 30 to 25 mph the following year. Portland followed with 20 mph on residential streets in 2018, and Albany reduced its limit to 25 mph in 2025.
Studies show that these changes are effective: Seattle saw a decrease in severe injuries on arterial roads, and Boston recorded fewer drivers traveling at dangerous speeds.
Why don’t more communities lower speed limits?
It sounds simple: just put up new signs, right? However, in many places, local governments lack the authority to implement those changes. State laws often require engineering studies before lowering a limit, examining factors such as crash history, traffic volume, and design. These studies can be expensive and slow, making it harder for cities to act quickly.
The good news? Since 2013, 19 states have updated their laws to give local governments more flexibility. New York passed Sammy’s Law in 2024, allowing New York City to set 20 mph zones despite the state-mandated 25 mph default. It’s a powerful example of how laws can evolve to prioritize safety.
What’s wrong with the 85th percentile rule?
Traditionally, speed limits have been set using the 85th percentile method. This is the speed at which 85% of drivers are traveling on a given road. In other words, drivers end up making the rules. The problem is that this ignores the reality that pedestrians and cyclists are far more vulnerable than people inside vehicles.
Worse, once a limit is raised to match the 85th percentile, drivers adjust upward, creating a new, higher 85th percentile. It’s a deadly cycle that steadily ratchets up the speed.
Fortunately, new guidance is shifting the conversation. The latest edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices emphasizes land use, crash history, and the presence of pedestrians over driver speed data. The National Association of City Transportation Officials also recommends safer defaults: 25 mph on major city roads and 20 mph on smaller ones.
How does lowering speed limits fit into the bigger picture?
Lowering limits is one of the fastest, simplest steps communities can take. Change the signs, and drivers respond. That’s why IIHS-HLDI’s new 30×30 vision includes lowering speed limits as a key part of reducing roadway fatalities by 30% before 2030.
But speed limits aren’t the only tool. Cities can add speed humps, narrow lanes, install feedback signs, or utilize speed cameras, provided state laws permit such measures. Combining lower limits with physical design and enforcement helps ensure lasting improvements in safety.
Where do we go from here?
A cultural shift is underway in city halls, state legislatures, and transportation departments. The era of designing roads solely for cars is coming to an end. More leaders are beginning to see streets through the eyes of pedestrians, cyclists, and families.
The sooner decision-makers embrace this perspective, the sooner our neighborhoods and cities will be places where everyone feels safe, whether behind the wheel, on a bike, or simply walking across the street.
How a New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyer can help
If you were struck while walking the streets of New Orleans, don’t face the insurance companies on your own. At The Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC, we understand the chaos that follows a pedestrian accident. Attorney John S. Williams knows how to push back against insurance companies that try to downplay your injuries or shift the blame, and we’re ready to fight for every dollar you deserve.
Your first conversation with us costs nothing. In a free consultation, you’ll sit down with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney who will listen closely to your story, answer your questions, and map out your legal options without pressure. Since our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, you won’t owe us a dime unless we secure a settlement or verdict on your behalf. That means you can focus on healing while we focus on building the strongest possible case.
We proudly serve clients in New Orleans and the surrounding area. If you were hurt in a crosswalk in the French Quarter, on Canal Street, or while simply walking through your own neighborhood, now is the time to take action. Contact us online or call today to schedule your consultation.
“It was very satisfying to finally find an attorney who is able to stand up and fight against the City of New Orleans. Strong, Confident, and Effective. You would love to have him in your corner. I would recommend him whenever possible.” – E.A., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐