Variable Speed Limit having positive impact

One of the key lessons taught in most driver’s education courses is to reduce the speed of a vehicle when road conditions are snowy, icy or made slick by rain. That same recommendation also applies when a motorist’s visibility is reduced as they drive while significant amounts of snow or rain are falling.

However, it’s no secret that many drivers disregard those classroom lessons about slowing down when they travel in dangerous conditions on an interstate highway where signs list high speed limits.

For those motorists who insist on going as fast as signs say they can go, regardless of weather and road conditions, we’re glad that a Variable Speed Limit section has been created on part of Interstate 90 in eastern Lake County.

In addition, it was encouraging to learn that the Variable Speed Limit has played a positive role in lowering the number of crashes on that section of I-90.

Granted, the winter of 202324 has been relatively mild. But Lake County still is known for receiving large amounts of snow during many winters, with numerous lake-effect snowstorms causing slowdowns and crashes.

As a result, the Ohio Department of Transportation and Lake County Sheriff’s Office continue to work together on a Variable Speed Limit section of Interstate 90, using digital signs to reduce the speed limit during adverse weather.

According to officials, the Ohio General Assembly also played a key role, modifying the state’s speed limit law in the spring of 2017 to give ODOT the authority to temporarily reduce the statutory speed limit in the eastern Lake County corridor.

From 2005 to 2015, I-90, between state Route 44 and state Route 528, saw a yearly average of 76 crashes reported, including 37 in the winter.

Since implementing the Variable Speed Limit, crashes along the stretch have dropped by over 35 percent, an average of 49 per year, with 21 in the winter, the department confirmed in a news release.

“ODOT’s basic mission is simple — save lives by making our system safer,” said District 12 Deputy Director John Picuri. “This is a great example of our engineers and maintenance and local safety forces utilizing technology to increase safety during severe weather events unique to this area along Lake Erie.”

The Variable Speed Limit sign system works in coordination with ODOT’s existing Intelligent Transportation System, which includes traffic cameras, dynamic message signs and road weather information stations to monitor visibility and precipitation, which is funneled to the department’s Traffic Management Center in Columbus.

The center then works with local law enforcement agencies and ODOT managers to decide when to lower limits.

When the weather changes, limits are reduced in 10 mph increments from the regularly posted 70 mph to warn motorists of hazardous traveling conditions.

The lowest permitted speed limit is 30 mph, the department reported, which is reserved for high-impact events, such as a full road closure.

Since the system went live, major crashes have been reduced by more than half, rearend crashes dropped from 19 to eight, and fatal and injury crashes decreased from 20 to nine per year.

“In 2015 and 2016, we saw major pileups of 52 and 26 cars, respectively, and, subsequently, incidents were becoming quite a problem,” said Sheriff Frank Leonbruno. “Sheriff (Dan) Dunlap, at the time, generated the idea to change the speed, contacted ODOT and said a different approach should be taken to mitigate the issue, and worked closely to create a program (to adjust the limits).

“A trial basis was conducted and since that time, it’s worked quite well … it’s been very beneficial and we’re glad to continue seeing good results in accidents being down,” he added.

Motorists can check if speed limits have been reduced by downloading the OHGO app or by visiting OHGO.com.

Here in Northeast Ohio, weather conditions are known to change — for better or worse — quickly and significantly. Based on that reality, it’s good that ODOT possesses the technology and expertise to implement Variable Speed Limits on stretches of Interstate 90.

We also commend ODOT and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for putting the Variable Speed Limit to good use on a stretch of I-90 in Lake County that had seemingly become a hotbed for crashes.

Since the system went live, major crashes have been reduced by more than half, rearend crashes dropped from 19 to eight, and fatal and injury crashes decreased from 20 to nine per year.