Many requests are received each year to reduce the speed limit in certain locations of the community. There are false assumptions that lowering the speed limit will, in turn, lower the speed of traffic and increase safety. Before and after studies show that little chage in vehicle speed occurs when speed limits are altered. Illinois State Statutes specify a speed limit of 30 mph on municipal streets unless an engineering study has been conducted, which shows a warrent for its increase or decrease.
Motorists tend to operate at a speed which they feel comfortable and safe driving at.
The most effective way to increase the safety or our residential streets is to recognize offenders and enforce the posted speed limit. When the Village receives a request to change the speed limit, the Engineering Department performs a speed study. The speed limit is based on the free-flowing traffic speed. This has proven to result in the lowest level of accidents. Research shows that stop signs do not effectively reduce speeding beyond a 200 foot radius of the sign.