A Wisconsin road has added a decimal point to its speed limit, hoping the unusual traffic sign will give drivers second thoughts about speeding. The Outagamie County Recycling and Solid Waste facility in Appleton, about 107 miles north of Milwaukee, announced on Monday that the speed limit inside the facility is now 17.3 mph.
Why 17.3 mph?
“You may notice something a little different on your next visit,” the facility wrote in a Facebook post. “Our posted speed limit is now 17.3.” The facility, which provides recycling and landfill disposal services, explained that the specific speed limit makes drivers “pause.”
“It makes you look twice. And most importantly, it breaks that ‘autopilot’ feeling we can all fall into when driving familiar routes,” the facility added.
Safety First at the Facility
The recycling and waste facility noted that many people travel through the site each day, including haulers, contractors, and nearby residents. “With so much activity, staying alert is key to keeping everyone safe,” the post continued. “This small change is a big reminder: Slow down, stay aware, look out for one another.”
“We want every single person to have a safe visit and make it home at the end of the day,” the post concluded. The update included an image of the new speed limit sign. It was not immediately clear what the previous speed limit inside the facility was.
Public Reaction
“Worked last weekend when I was there,” one Facebook user commented. “Made us laugh.” Another person quipped: “Whatever you do DO NOT do 17.4 or the police gonna on yo tail!!” “I like it!! Pay attention. Safety First!” another Facebook user chimed in.
Unusual Speed Limits Elsewhere
Posting such a specific speed limit is unusual but not unheard of. A speed limit sign reading 8.2 mph at a shopping center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has caused confusion on social media for years. “If you go 8.21 mph you may be executed,” one Redditor joked. Another unusual speed limit sign was spotted at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville, Tennessee, where drivers are limited to 24 mph, not the typical 25.
Do Specific Speed Limits Work?
While the use of ultra-specific speed limits is likely meant to slow drivers down, a 2024 study by Minnesota’s state and local transportation agencies found that lowering the posted speed limit does not necessarily achieve that goal. The study, conducted in the city of St. Louis Park, looked at before-and-after driver speeds after reducing the limit on several roads. “The analysis showed drivers may not respond immediately to a posted speed change,” Gary Davis, the study’s lead, said. “But it’s a good start to a longer-term evaluation to see if the speed control policy objectives will be met.”
