Seattle reducing speed limits to increase safety

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan announced Tuesday that speed limits on city streets will be dropping to 25 mph as part of an overall $20 million plan to increase safety.

KOMO reports that in addition to the speed limit drop, the city will double the number of safety-enhanced traffic signals, add cameras to five school zones and double the city's red light cameras.

Durkan said the moves come as the city saw an increase in serious accidents in 2019.

Seattle Department of Transportation data suggests on roads where speed limits dropped to 25 mph, there was a 35% reduction in crashes.

And Durkan said slower speed limits are also coming to state highways that run through the city.