LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A FOX5 story into speeding on the 215 around Stephanie has generated nearly 700 comments on Facebook, with many drivers defending excessive speeds in construction zones.
The original story showed drivers traveling more than 80 mph in a 55 mile per hour work zone. Radar gun readings captured speeds up to 83-mph. While a highway speed monitor sign showed many drivers speeding as well.
Online story sparks safety debate
Many posting online argued slower drivers should keep up with traffic, with one writing: “mind your business and follow the flow of traffic. If everyone is going 80 and you’re going 50. You are the hazard.”
“Speed limits are set for a reason,” said Erin Breen, a longtime UNLV traffic safety professional.
Breen explained that construction zones have specific safety concerns.
“In a construction zone, that reason could be that they have taken some of the lane width. So, it’s not as safe for you to go at a faster speed. Or they’ve shifted a lane ahead. And if you’re going too fast, you might miss that,” she said.
Another poster said, “Raise the speed limit and there would be fewer people speeding. problem solved.”
“So, people have gotten used to this whole culture of getting there fast,” Breen said.
She expressed concern about people blaming speed limits rather than speeding drivers.
“You have to watch your speedometer in our city because the average driver tacks 15 miles an hour on whatever the posted speed limit is because they think they’re not going to get caught,” Breen said.
Construction zone enforcement challenges
Posters online also complained about lowered speed limits when construction workers are not present, such as at night.
Breen said setting up construction zones takes time, including placing barriers and closing lanes. She said a road construction project could be delayed if crews had to put things up and then take them down each day.
Speed is the top contributing factor in about a third of deadly crashes in Nevada, Breen said. Metro Police reported speeding citations were among the most common violations issued in January around the Las Vegas valley.
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