New speed limits approved for Pflugerville roads

Janke also said the higher speed limits seem to signal changes in the fabric of the city.

"Pflugerville was a small city," Janke said. "Increasing the speed limit just makes me aware that we are losing that smallness."

The city concluded the speed limits needed to change after conducting studies on the roads.

Speed zoning theory is based on the assumption most people will drive at the speed they feel most comfortable and safe, Word said.

The city studied traffic and established the proper limit at or within 5 mph of the speed that 85 percent of motorists maintained on a given stretch of road.

Setting the speed limit too low or high can cause traffic to move at widely varying speeds, which is dangerous, Word said.

"Artificially setting [the speed limit] low, even a few miles per hour, can have a significant impact on how many people are violating the law," Word said. "Because most people will drive the roadway at [the speed] they feel is safe to do."

Councilman Wayne Cooper said the city should consider warning drivers that the speed limits have changed to avoid unnecessary ticketing.

City employees placed orange warning flags above the new speed limit signs. The city also posted news of the speed limit changes on its website.