Why did St. Louis Park change speed limits on local streets?
Adjusting speed limits support the city's goals and policies around increasing the safety of the traveling public.
Does the city have the authority to change speed limits?
Yes. In May 2019, the Minnesota legislature passed provisions giving cities increased authority to set speed limits on local streets.
What information supports the adjusted speed limits?
In recommending speed limits, consideration is given to existing vehicle speeds, vehicle volumes, roadway configuration, pedestrian infrastructure, transit access, land use and access density. The goal of changing speed limits is to increase the safety of all road users.
What are the goals of the adjusted speed limits?
- To eliminate fatalities and serious injuries that are a result of crashes on city streets.
- To create a mobility system that prioritizes walking first, then bicycling and transit, and then motor vehicle use.
- To ensure the quality and function of the transportation system contributes to equitable outcomes for all people.
- To support the movement of people and goods.
- To be understandable, consistent, replicable, reasonable and contextually appropriate in setting speed limits.
- To clearly communicate the new speed limits and to educate about their connection to safety, especially as people enter the city.
Are other cities changing their speed limits?
Yes. Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Rochester and Edina completed their speed limit changes in the last few years.
What is a Safe Systems approach for setting speed limits?
A Safe Systems approach shifts the focus from vehicles to all road users including pedestrians and bicyclists. The approach is based on anticipating human mistakes by setting speed limits at a level that will reduce or eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes.
Why not lower speeds on all roads to 20 or 15 miles per hour?
Setting a speed limit much lower than what drivers actually travel leads to drivers not complying with the limit. That works against the goals of increasing safety and decreasing vehicle speeds. The recommended speed limits are intended to be understandable, consistent and reasonable. Existing average speeds were used to help set recommended speed limits.
Did speed limits on Minnetonka Boulevard or Excelsior Boulevard change?
No. The 2019 legislation only allows cities the ability to change speed limits on local streets, not on streets owned by Hennepin County or the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Minnetonka Boulevard and Excelsior Boulevard are county roads and their speed limits cannot be changed by the city.
Did alley speed limits change?
No. The speed limit on alleys remains at 10 mph.
How do speed limit changes support city policies?
Adjusting speed limits support the city's goals and policies around increasing the safety of the traveling public. This includes:
- Supporting the city's goal to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries that are a result of crashes on city streets.
- Reflecting the city's goal in creating a mobility system that prioritizes walking first, then bicycling and transit, and then motor vehicle use.
- Ensuring the quality and function of the transportation system contributes to equitable outcomes for all people.
Do speed limits apply to bicycles and electric scooters?
Yes. Bicycles (MN 169.222) and motorized foot scooters (MN 169.225) are both considered vehicles and must follow the speed limit.
When did new speed limits become effective?
Installation of new speed limit signage was completed in early December 2021.
How are speed limits enforced?
Speed limits are enforced through education and ticketing.
Education: The police department uses movable speed boards that give immediate feedback to drivers, warning them of their speed and the current speed limit. The police also use traffic stops that result in education of the issue and a warning for violations. The city also uses social media advisements of enforcement actions.
Ticketing: At times, the police use multi-officer enforcement in a general area. This enforcement is focused to specific time frames during the day. The department also uses focused patrol of an area by officers.