Michael van Baker argues for lower speed limits in residential areas:
Someone hit by a car traveling at 40 miles per hour has an over-80-percent chance of being killed. At 30, it’s still 37 to 45 percent. But at 20, it’s just five percent. The key factors are stopping time and response time–at 20 miles per hour, the driver is in control of their car, and can stop before hitting someone. As you increase speed, you have less time to respond, while stopping distance increases.
Douglas MacDonald has more on how pedestrian deaths disproportionately affect the elderly in Seattle.
(Chart via Eric de Place)
The Dish 