The county and state Department of Transportation approved a speed limit change on Route 79 between Wyncrest and Ridge Roads, reducing the speed to 45 mph.
The previous speed of 50 mph has been reduced to 45 mph. The NJ DOT signed off on the change on Jan. 4.
Marlboro residents have previously spoken out on Patch and at Township Council meetings about reducing speed limits on other township roads, including Union Hill Road.
On Wednesday, when Patch published the new Route 79 speed, Patch readers shared their mixed opinions:
Patch reader Joy Calogero said, "Well, maybe dropping it 10 mph instead of 5 would make a better impact. People drive 10 mph over the speed limit as a standard. Now, I will have even more people driving too close to me."
But Patch reader ITzcoolGUY said, "This is absolutely absurd. Vehicles now days are meant to be driven faster. They can accelerate, turn, and respond quicker and quieter than ever before. With these improvements we should RAISE THE SPEED LIMITS not lower them. I think a bigger concern for me is the Generation X drivers getting too old to drive. With age they are loosing their vision and reaction times. More should be done to make sure that older individuals actually belong on the road."
Tell us: What do you think? Should more speed limits be lowered in town? Should they be raised in certain areas? Comment below and join the conversation.
What is really needed is some serious enforcement of the traffic laws. Tailgating (and I do not mean the kind that takes place in parking lots before football games) should be declared the offical state pastime since everyone does it; however, it is very dangerous and the police should make at least a small effort to bring an end to it.
FHWA also states, "In addition, posting speed limits well below the 85th percentile speed did not reduce accidents. Contrary to popular belief, the results indicate that raising speed limits did not result in an increase in accidents (in fact, accidents decreased)." Increasing the speed limits lowered the rate of accidents whereas lowering the speed limit increased accidents. Working for a civil engineering firm I understand speed limits are set in consideration of safety standards applicable to that section of the roadway. I also know that these standards (generally considered unsound) are rarely updated to account for technology that makes it justifiable to drive at higher speeds. Lowering the speed limit has no advantages. It merely offers a false sense of security to individuals who don't understand that speed does not kill, reckless driving does
Please RAISE all the speed limits on all the through roads in Marlboro. They are ridiculous right now.
FHWA also states, "In addition, posting speed limits well below the 85th percentile speed did not reduce accidents. Contrary to popular belief, the results indicate that raising speed limits did not result in an increase in accidents (in fact, accidents decreased)." Increasing the speed limits lowered the rate of accidents whereas lowering the speed limit increased accidents. Working for a civil engineering firm I understand speed limits are set in consideration of safety standards applicable to that section of the roadway. I also know that these standards (generally considered unsound) are rarely updated to account for technology that makes it justifiable to drive at higher speeds. Lowering the speed limit has no advantages. It merely offers a false sense of security to individuals who don't understand that speed does not kill, reckless driving does.