ORGANIZE TO CUT RESIDENTIAL SPEEDING

Speeding in residential areas is a major contributor to pedestrian deaths, which are high among children and the elderly. While enforcement is effective, it is costly and drains manpower from other law enforcement efforts. A new approach builds on the fact that most speeders in residential areas are residents themselves, so it calls for organizing neighborhoods to cut speeding. It recognizes that it takes a conscious effort to drive 25 mph, the safe speed for residential areas, and which can not be effectively achieved by traffic engineering devices. The city of Oceanside, California, used the program to achieve a 16 percent reduction in speeding on local streets. Yard signs are part of the program, along with other awareness tools and some enforcement like speed gun trailer. The initiative, called Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 (KKAD25) is now in 159 communities in 36 states.