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Washington Post
a day ago
- Automotive
- Washington Post
A decades-old rule lets drivers set speed limits on US roads. That could be changing
Rose Hammond pushed authorities for years to lower the 55 mph speed limit on a two-lane road that passes her assisted living community, a church, two schools and a busy park that hosts numerous youth sports leagues. 'What are you waiting for, somebody to get killed ?' the 85-year-old chided officials in northwest Ohio, complaining that nothing was being done about the motorcycles that race by almost daily. Amid growing public pressure, Sylvania Township asked county engineers in March to analyze whether Mitchaw Road's posted speed is too high. The surprising answer: Technically, it's 5 mph too low. The reason dates back to studies on rural roads from the 1930s and 1940s that still play an outsized role in the way speed limits are set across the U.S. — even in urban areas. Born from that research was a widely accepted concept known as the 85% rule, which suggests a road's posted speed should be tied to the 15th-fastest vehicle out of every 100 traveling it in free-flowing traffic, rounded to the nearest 5 mph increment. But after decades of closely following the rule, some states — with a nudge from the federal government — are seeking to modify if not replace it when setting guidelines for how local engineers should decide what speed limit to post. The concept assumes that a road's safest speed is the one most vehicles travel — neither too high nor too low. If drivers think the speed limit should be raised, they can simply step on the gas and 'vote with their feet,' as an old brochure from the Institute of Transportation Engineers once put it. 'The problem with this approach is it creates this feedback loop,' said Jenny O'Connell, director of member programs for the National Association of City Transportation Officials. 'People speed, and then the speed limits will be ratcheted up to match that speed.' The association developed an alternative to the 85% rule known as 'City Limits,' which aims to minimize the risk of injuries for all road users by setting the speed limit based on a formula that factors in a street's activity level and the likelihood of conflicts, such as collisions. The report points out the 85% rule is based on dated research and that 'these historic roads are a far cry from the vibrant streets and arterials that typify city streets today.' Amid a recent spike in road deaths across the country, the Federal Highway Administration sent a subtle but important message to states that the 85% rule isn't actually a rule at all and was carrying too much weight in determining local speed limits. In its first update since 2009 to a manual that establishes national guidelines for traffic signs, the agency clarified that communities should also consider such things as how the road is used, the risk to pedestrians, and the frequency of crashes. Leah Shahum, who directs the Vision Zero Network, a nonprofit advocating for street safety, said she wishes the manual had gone further in downplaying the 85% rule but acknowledges the change has already impacted the way some states set speed limits. Others, however, are still clinging to the simplicity and familiarity of the longstanding approach, she said. 'The 85th percentile should not be the Holy Grail or the Bible, and yet over and over again it is accepted as that,' Shahum said. Under its '20 is Plenty' campaign, the Wisconsin capital of Madison has been changing signs across the city this summer, lowering the speed limit from 25 mph to 20 mph on local residential streets. When Seattle took a similar step in a pilot program seven years ago, not only did it see a noticeable decline in serious injury crashes but also a 7% drop in the 85th percentile speed, according to the Vision Zero Network. California embraces the 85% rule even more than most states as its basis for setting speed limits. But legislators have loosened the restrictions on local governments a bit in recent years, allowing them to depart from the guidelines if they can cite a proven safety need. Advocates for pedestrians and bicyclists say the change helps, but is not enough. 'We still have a long way to go in California in terms of putting value on all road users,' said Kendra Ramsey, executive director of the California Bicycle Coalition. 'There's still a very heavy mindset that automobiles are the primary method of travel and they should be given priority and reverence.' But Jay Beeber, executive director for policy at the National Motorists Association, an advocacy organization for drivers, said following the 85% rule is usually the safest way to minimize the variation in speed between drivers who abide by the posted limit and those who far exceed it. 'It doesn't really matter what number you put on a sign,' Beeber said. 'The average driver drives the nature of the roadway. It would be patently unfair for a government to build a road to encourage people to drive 45 mph, put a 30 mph speed limit on it, and then ticket everyone for doing what they built the road to do.' Fears about oil prices prompted Congress in the 1970s to set a 55 mph national maximum speed limit, which it later relaxed to 65 mph before repealing the law in 1995 and handing the authority to states. Since then, speed limits have kept climbing, with North Dakota this summer becoming the ninth state to allow drivers to go 80 mph on some stretches of highway. There's even a 40-mile segment in Texas between Austin and San Antonio where 85 mph is allowed. Although high-speed freeways outside major population centers aren't the focus of most efforts to ease the 85% rule, a 2019 study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety — a research arm funded by auto insurers — illustrates the risks. Every 5 mph increase to a state's maximum speed limit increases the chance of fatalities by 8.5% on interstate highways and 2.8% on other roads, the study found. 'Maybe back when you were driving a Model T you had a real feel for how fast you were going, but in modern vehicles you don't have a sense of what 80 mph is. You're in a cocoon,' said Chuck Farmer, the institute's vice president for research, who conducted the study. If elected officials in Sylvania Township, Ohio, got their way, Mitchaw Road's posted speed limit would be cut dramatically — from 55 mph to 40 mph or lower. The county's finding that the 85% rule actually calls for raising it to 60 mph surprised the town's leaders, but not the engineers who ran the study. 'If we don't make decisions based on data, it's very difficult to make good decisions,' Lucas County Engineer Mike Pniewski said. For now, the speed limit will remain as it is. That's because Ohio law sets maximum speeds for 15 different types of roadways, regardless of what the 85% rule suggests. And Ohio's guidelines are evolving. The state now gives more consideration to roadway context and allows cities to reduce speed limits based on the lower standard of the 50th percentile speed when there's a large presence of pedestrians and bicyclists. Authorities there recently hired a consultant to consider additional modifications based on what other states are doing. 'States have very slowly started to move away from the 85th percentile as being kind of the gold standard for decision-making,' said Michelle May, who manages Ohio's highway safety program. 'People are traveling and living differently than they did 40 years ago, and we want to put safety more at the focus.' It's unclear whether any of these changes will ultimately impact the posted speed on Mitchaw Road. After years of futile calls and emails to state, county and township officials, Hammond says she isn't holding her breath. 'I just get so discouraged,' she said.
Al Arabiya
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Republican Derek Merrin Launches Bid for Rematch Against Rep. Marcy Kaptur
A potential rematch for one of the nation's most hotly contested House seats representing Ohio's 9th Congressional District could be in the works for 2026. That's after Republican Derek Merrin, a former four-term Republican state representative, announced Monday that he plans to try again to defeat Democratic US Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress. Merrin, 39, launched his latest campaign on X, vowing that 'this time we're going to FINISH THE MISSION.' He won the chaotic 2024 Republican primary with the help of Donald Trump's endorsement before losing to Kaptur, 79, by fewer than 2,400 votes. 'I'll fight for the America First agenda, strengthen the border, cut taxes, protect our freedoms – and give Northwest Ohio the bold conservative leadership it deserves,' he wrote. Merrin is the third candidate to join the Republican primary in the past few days. Toledo native Alea Nadeem is a self-described independent-minded conservative military veteran and Air National Guard officer from a union family. Wayne Kinsel is also a veteran of the US Air Force, as well as director of Voodoo Brewing Company in Toledo. Merrin left Columbus in December due to term limits. He made a splash at the Ohio Statehouse when he led an intraparty rebellion in the House after losing a bitter battle for speaker. Katie Smith, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said in a statement that Kaptur will run on her record of fighting for the working people of northwest Ohio. 'The clown car of a Republican primary has already devolved into infighting and backstabbing,' she said, 'and no matter which corporate lapdog who wants to gut Medicaid and Social Security comes out the other end, Marcy will defeat their special interest agenda again because Ohioans know she fights for them.' Kaptur's is one of three congressional seats in Ohio targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee next year. The GOP also hopes to defeat Reps. Emilia Sykes in Akron and Greg Landsman in Cincinnati.
Associated Press
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Republican Derek Merrin launches bid for rematch against Rep. Marcy Kaptur
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A potential rematch for one of the nation's most hotly contested House seats, representing Ohio's 9th Congressional District, could be in the works for 2026. That's after Republican Derek Merrin, a former four-term Republican state representative, announced Monday that he plans to try again to defeat Democratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress. Merrin, 39, launched his latest campaign on X, vowing that 'this time, we're going to FINISH THE MISSION.' He won the chaotic 2024 Republican primary with the help of Donald Trump's endorsement before losing to Kaptur, 79, by fewer than 2,400 votes. 'I'll fight for the America First agenda, strengthen the border, cut taxes, protect our freedoms — and give Northwest Ohio the bold, conservative leadership it deserves,' he wrote. Merrin is the third candidate to join the Republican primary in the past few days. Toledo native Alea Nadeem is a self-described 'independent-minded conservative,' military veteran and Air National Guard officer from a union family. Wayne Kinsel is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, as well as director of Voodoo Brewing Company in Toledo. Merrin left Columbus in December due to term limits. He made a splash at the Ohio Statehouse when he led an intraparty rebellion in the House after losing a bitter battle for speaker. Katie Smith, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said in a statement that Kaptur will run on her record of fighting for the working people of northwest Ohio. 'The clown car of a Republican primary has already devolved into infighting and backstabbing,' she said, 'and no matter which corporate lapdog who wants to gut Medicaid and Social Security comes out the other end, Marcy will defeat their special interest agenda again because Ohioans know she fights for them.' Kaptur's is one of three congressional seats in Ohio targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee next year. The GOP also hopes to defeat Reps. Emilia Sykes in Akron and Greg Landsman in Cincinnati.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EY US Announces Anthony Ahee, CEO of Together Women's Health, as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Michigan and Northwest Ohio Award Winner
DETROIT, June 20, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced that CEO Anthony Ahee of Together Women's Health (TWH) was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Michigan and Northwest Ohio Award winner. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the preeminent competitive awards program for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. For 40 years, EY US has celebrated ambitious entrepreneurs who are transforming industries, impacting communities and creating long-term value. Anthony was chosen by an independent panel of past winners, top CEOs and business leaders. Judges assessed candidates on long-term value creation, entrepreneurial spirit, purpose-driven commitment and significant growth and impact. Anthony stated, "I'm incredibly honored to be recognized by EY as Entrepreneur of the Year. Entrepreneurship, to me, has always been about building something meaningful with others and this recognition is truly a reflection of the exceptional team at Together Women's Health. From our dedicated providers delivering outstanding care to our support teams driving growth and innovation, I'm proud of the work we're doing to transform women's health. Together, we're advancing our vision to become the most trusted name in women's health." Together Women's Health is a growing network of leading women's healthcare practices committed to delivering exceptional, individualized care for women at every stage of life. Founded by Anthony Ahee, the organization partners with leading physicians to build a premier network of women's health services in the U.S.—from routine gynecologic and obstetric care, breast health, advanced gynecologic procedures, menopause management, and more. With a focus on clinical and operational excellence, innovation, and compassionate care, Together Women's Health empowers providers to thrive while elevating the patient experience. As a Michigan and Northwest Ohio award winner, Anthony is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 National Awards. The National Award winners, including the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum®, one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award in June 2026. About Together Women's Health Headquartered in Detroit, MI, Together Women's Health ("TWH") is a women's health management services organization committed to partnering with leading physicians to build a premier network of obstetricians and gynecologists. TWH, recently named on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in America, supports its affiliated practices and physician partners throughout multiple states with strategic guidance, administrative resources (including revenue cycle management, marketing, human resources, finance, accounting, and IT), operational expertise and capital, thereby allowing physicians to focus on clinical excellence and serving their communities. TWH is building a network of top clinicians in a physician-led culture. For more information about Together Women's Health, please visit About EY EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information, please visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact Suzanne Cooper, Vice President of Marketing
