Speeding and its negative impacts on community safety came up in multiple sessions at both events. Research shows that at 20 miles per hour, a person has a 95 percent chance of surviving a crash. As the speed increases, the chance for survival decreases. Many communities already have slower speed limits near schools for this reason.<\/p>\n In 2011, the Oregon State Legislature passed a law<\/a> allowing transportation agencies greater control of speed limits on neighborhood greenways. Under certain conditions<\/a>, a 20mph speed limit can be posted on these streets, five miles per hour less than the normal state-mandated limit.<\/p>\n The law was championed by the Portland Bureau of Transportation as a way to make its neighborhood greenway network safer, more enjoyable streets for walking and biking. PBOT released a map<\/a> of streets that will receive the 20mph speed limit and has already started posting the new signs.<\/p>\n Removing the Incentive for DUI Hit and Runs<\/em><\/p>\n This is an issue that the media has been reporting on for years<\/a>. Many states have harsher penalties for hit and run fatalities resulting from a drunk driver than a sober driver. This creates a legal incentive for a drunk (or even buzzed) driver to flee the scene of a collision. Victims cannot receive immediate aid, and no one can be held accountable.<\/p>\n Several states recently undertook efforts to close this legal loophole.<\/p>\n These types of legislation are another tool for advocates to create safer streets. Talk to your neighbors tonight and ask them \u2013 do you want lower speeds on our street? Chances are they\u2019ll say yes, and that you\u2019ll have a new advocate (even if they don\u2019t ride a bike). Expect to see these types of innovative approaches on the 2013 Bicycle Friendly States survey!<\/p>\n Elsewhere in cycling advocacy\u2026<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bikeleague.org\/blog\/\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/Safe-Streets-for-Everyone-PBOT1.jpg\")
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