Faster can mean safer, Cedar Park City Council learned before ultimately approving four speed limit increases throughout the city Oct. 3.

Transportation Planner Tom Gdala recommended to council during the Sept. 26 meeting that the city increase the speed limits on New Hope Drive, Old Hwy. 183, Brushy Creek Road and Park Street by 5 miles per hour. The recommendation is based on traffic studies that took into account road characteristics, speed data and accident history, he said.

City staff also surveyed drivers' speed along the four roadways, learning most motorists already go faster than the posted speed limit. Gdala said it is standard for traffic engineers to take into account the speed that 85 percent of all drivers surveyed drive at or below when determining a potential new speed limit.

The changes go into effect immediately. Gdala said new speed limit signs will be posted the week of Oct. 7.

Speed limit changes

• New Hope Drive from Lakeline Boulevard to Bagdad Road—increased from 40 mph to 45 mph
• Old Hwy. 183 from Bell Boulevard to Brushy Creek Road—increased from 30 mph to 35 mph
• Brushy Creek Road from Bell Boulevard to Cougar Avenue—increased from 30 mph to 35 mph
• Park Street from Lakeline Boulevard to Bell Boulevard—increased from 30 mph to 35 mph