Speeding is defined as exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions. Crashes involving speeding occur on all road types but are particularly prevalent on the local rural road system. Of the fatal crashes occurring on local rural roads, nearly one-third involved speeding. As the speed increases, the likelihood of a crash resulting in a serious injury or fatality also increases.

Addressing this safety issue can be a challenge for local roadway agencies because of limited resources. Nonetheless, all agencies, regardless of size and resources, can develop a Speed Management Program that provides a comprehensive strategy to address the concern of unlawful and undesirable speeds. Accordingly, the program should encompass engineering, enforcement, education, and emergency services strategies—the four E’s of safety—to address speeding and speed-related crashes that result in fatalities and serious injuries. In general, developing a Speed Management Program involves four steps:

• Step 1. Identify speeding issues and partner agencies.
• Step 2. Select countermeasures.
• Step 3. Implement countermeasures.
• Step 4. Evaluate progress.

Successful development of a Speed Management Program begins with identifying the speeding issue through data. A variety of data—including crash (at least three years of data), citation, roadway and conditions, citation, and input from partner agencies—can be used to identify areas where speeding is an issue. Once the data have been analyzed and a location has been identified, local practitioners should coordinate with partner agencies such as law enforcement, other road agencies (if applicable), and other stakeholders to identify program goals and determine the specific causes of the speeding issue. This usually entails a field assessment and evaluation. These partnerships will not only help with gaining a more thorough understanding of the problem, but they will also be essential in supporting and implementing the Speed Management Program.

Once the causes of the speeding issue have been identified, countermeasures are selected that comprehensively address the issues. Engineering, enforcement, and education countermeasures may be selected, and a combination of these strategies will often bring greater impact in addressing the speeding issue. Engineering countermeasures can range from upgrades to the signing and pavement markings to modifications to the geometric configuration of the roadway. Other countermeasures may include targeted enforcement campaigns, automated speed enforcement, or public information and education campaigns. The measures selected will then have to be communicated to the various stakeholders to gain support in implementing the program.

Resources to address speeding are generally limited. Therefore, countermeasures that address speeding issues will need to be prioritized and funded for implementation in a systematic way. Prioritization can be based on those strategies most likely to impact the issue or on the cost relative to the safety benefit or implementation time.

The individual countermeasures or projects should be evaluated to determine the progress being made towards achieving the goals established for the entire Speed Management Program. The evaluation will also determine the effectiveness of the countermeasure within the jurisdiction to determine if it should be applied at other areas.

Elements of this model Speed Management Program can be followed by all agencies, regardless of size and resources. In developing such a program, assistance should be sought from such organizations as the State DOT, LTAP, and TTAP. By following this process, local rural road practitioners can implement a comprehensive program that addresses the safety issues associated with speeding in their communities, and this, in turn, will help to protect the lives and improve the safety of all road users.