¥ Mathew C Sielski, ITE
President, 1950Õs speech to engineers about their responsibilities in establishing proper and realistic speed limits.
§One of the most
important responsibilities of traffic engineers is the establishment of proper and realistic speed limits. Our profession has long recognized
that most citizens will behave in a reasonable manner as
they go about their daily activities.
§Thus, traffic laws that
are based upon behavior of reasonable motorist are found to be successful. Laws that arbitrarily restrict the majority of
motorist encourage wholesale violations, lack of
public support, and usually fail to bring about desirable changes in driving behavior. This is especially true of speed limitsÓ.
§Our
profession, since the early 30Õs, based its speed zoning techniques on several concepts deeply rooted in our American system of government and law,
namely:
¥ 1. Driving behavior is an extension
of our social attitude, and the majority of drivers respond in a safe and reasonable manner, as demonstrated by their
good driving records.
¥ 2. The
careful and competent actions of a reasonable person should be considered
legal.
¥ 3. Laws are established for the
protection of the public and the regulation of unreasonable behavior of an individual.
¥ 4. Laws cannot be effectively
enforced without the consent and voluntary compliance of the public majority.Ó