SEATTLE — In the sign shop for the Seattle Department of Transportation, a new traffic safety era is taking shape.
A digital printer spits out new speed limit signs.
Then Rob Ford's three-person crew uses rollers to laminate them.
"We make all the signs for the City of Seattle," Ford said.
They cut the signs and stick them onto metal plates.
They will replace old speed limit signs, as many Seattle arterials drop from 30 miles per hour to 25, and small side streets from 25 to 20.
"Reducing the speed limit in the city will help save lives. We want the streets of Seattle to be safe for everyone going in and out of the city," said SDOT spokesperson Norm Mah.
City officials say pedestrians and cyclists are more likely to survive a crash if they are hit by a car going just five miles per hour slower.
"We'll be switching out the ones we have in place and then we'll be looking at other areas where we feel we might need additional signs," Mah said.
The starting order is for about a 100 new signs.
Mah said Mayor Ed Murray is expected to sign the lower speed limits into law on Friday, and the signs will be up 30-45 days after that.
Cox Media Group
