CM220 Compsition 11 Unit 8 Assignment – Persuasive Essay

Lowering Speed Limit in Residential Area

Since preparing this thesis, classmates have given me positive feedbacks. The most commented feedback came from Tamara. She stated, “I am on the right path by incorporated research evidence in my outline, this will help to prepare the drafting process for my essay”. While other classmates believe I have a strong thesis statement and I should be able to find many sources to support my argument.

Speeding in residential areas is often community groups’ chief concern, largely because of the perceived risks to children. Yet, because speeding must compete with other problems for police attention, problems that may appear far more serious, often do not receive a lot of resources. (Scott, M & Maddox, D) No. 2010. A study in Scotland had showed that the speed limit of 30mph or over in residential neighborhoods are two times more dangerous for children having to walk from home to school and back. In 2013, 4,735 pedestrians were killed in the U.S. by automobiles and 55% of these fatalities occurred on neighborhood streets. For every pedestrian killed by a car, another 15 were injured. Speed is a major factor determining whether a pedestrian will be killed or injured by an automobile. A pedestrian is nine times more likely to die if struck by a car traveling at 30 mph compared to 20 mph. Other factors contributing to the high pedestrian accident rate on neighbor streets include lack of adequate sidewalks, bike lanes, and crossings. (Community and Environmental Defense Services). The mayor and traffic control agencies should institute a program to employ a speed limit of 25mph in residential areas because speeding is said to caused children to lose their lives.

We all know the frustrations of modern-day life and the juggling of a busy schedule, but if speed limits are put in place around residentials neighborhoods it is said to save lives. A car speeding in a neighborhood area compared to one going at a lower speed limit is very different. They both can cause harm to the pedestrian, child, or bicyclist, however, a car moving at a higher speed holds more force and impact. When that force hits a pedestrian, protected by nothing but the clothes they wear, they have a higher chance of being killed from that force. When drivers speed, there is also an effect on the driver too that increases the risk of an accident. Higher speeds mean “the driver is more likely to lose control of the vehicle” and “the vehicle safety equipment is less effective at higher speeds” (Maddox D. & Scott M. 2010). The vehicle itself is not equipped to work as well as it would at a lower speed, especially if a sudden stop occurs, when trying not to hit a pedestrian.

In 2018 alone, 9,378 people were killed due to speeding, including men, women and children (United States Department of Transportation). There are many aspects that can cause drivers to speed. A major part is aggressive driving, or what many know as ‘road rage’. However, road rage has other causes as well that promote aggressive driving. Constant traffic and the addition of the driver being late is a main cause. Many get frustrated waiting for traffic and tend to choose to disregard the law. In the moment, the driver is focused only on departing from traffic the fastest way possible. They do not pay attention to their surroundings, and often pedestrians are involved, thus causing an accident or injury. A major scenario where aggressive drivers can be seen becoming impatient, is involved with school buses. School buses pick up children from certain stops and drop them off. This can be in the middle of a traffic area but still they must put out the STOP sign on the bus causing all vehicles to stop both ways. At this time, children are leaving the bus and can cross the street if needed. If a car is speeding currently and the bus suddenly puts out the stop sign, it takes s a longer time for the oncoming speeding vehicle to stop. A child may be crossing at this time and can face serious injuries or even death by automobile. It is a terrible thing for a child’s life to be taken away due the ignorance of drivers to slow down. The road can be a dangerous place and driving with high speeds in a residential neighborhood where children and families are will only put pedestrians and yourself at risk. Not only will the pedestrian be hurt, but the driver can be hurt as well and face harsh lawful consequences.

The need for lowering the speed limit in residential areas is not a new thing. Neither is it a problem limited to only the United States. Countries such as the United Kingdom and Scotland have recognized that there is an evident problem with speeding and have already moved to decrease the number of accidents. Places such as Graz and Austria have reduced speed limits as well to 30 kmph. They have also made it their goal to enforce the speed limit and educate drivers and pedestrians of this law. Having less ignorant drivers will lead to less accidents because the more reformed you are, the higher chance for you to be more cautious when driving. Also, you would engage in decreasing the risk of accidents and injuries if more people were mindful when it comes to the road in residential areas. Being in a car, does not mean the driver is in a bubble. A safe and correct driver must be able to understand and communicate with their environment, being the road, for everyone to be safe. Laws and regulations are put into place to maintain the safety of everyone, pedestrians and drivers.

In conclusion, the lowering of speed limits in residential areas is a great example of how a long cherished but politically neglected injury prevention policy can move up the agenda. A safer, healthier road environment in residential areas can address the road safety for children and pedestrians (Pilkington, P). With the number of pedestrian casualties and high percentages of fatalities in residential areas the speed limit needs to be address swiftly. According to the studies from other countries, enforcing the speed limit has been able to help drivers to slow down. Engaging with the community, the mayor and traffic control agencies institute a program to employ a speed limit of 25mph in residential areas because speeding is said to caused children to lose their lives.

References

Center for Problem-Oriented Policing. Scott. S Michael & Maddox K. D (2010). Retrieved from https://popcenter.asu.edu/content/speeding-residential-areas-2nd-ed-0.

Community and Environmental Defense Services. traffic. (N.D.). Retrieved from https://ceds.org/traffic/.

Lee, A (2019, October 24). Speeding. Retrieved from https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding.

Pilkington, P. (2009). Lowering the default speed limit in residential areas: Opportunities for policy influence and the role of public health professionals. Injury Prevention, 15(5), 352. DOI: http://dx.doi.org.libauth.purdueglobal.edu/10.1136/ip.2008.021501