To the editor:

We can all agree, as quoted regarding roadways, that there is a “need for safety”. Intuitively, slower speeds should increase safety, but how much slower for how much, assumed, more safety?

Regarding school zones, would 15 mph be even safer? How about 10 mph? If so, how much safer is 20 mph than 25, 30 or even 35 mph, or is it? What is the definition, and acceptable level, of “safety”?

Surely this has been studied by professional traffic engineers without financial interest. But if not, why not and who is leading?

Wouldn’t knowing that data be helpful for the current discussion of school zone speed cameras? East Provindence is held up as an example. How much has the occurrence of accident incidents changed and in what nature with the use of speed cameras there, and elsewhere? Why not employ evaluation by accident incidence data rather than by well intended assumptions scored by numbers of tickets and fines?

Suggestion — Given the differences in distractions surrounding various Barrington schools it would seem that the simplest, and perhaps best, approach might be to post attention getting flashing signs with prescribed notice and times of activation relevant to the particular school based on accident incident data rather than on blanket assumptions, however well intended.

Lawrence P. Bowen, MD

Barrington