Oddly Specific Wisconsin Speed Limit Sign Causes ‘Uproar’

Have you ever seen a speed limit sign that didn't end in a 5 or a 0? I know I haven't. Any speed limit sign I've ever seen has been in increments of 5. I've seen 5 mph signs in a few places, but usually it's 10, 20, 55, etc.

One in Wisconsin sign that was recently put up ends very oddly when you compare it to the norm. Not only does it end in a strange number, but there's a decimal.

The speed limit on this strangely specific Wisconsin sign? 17.3 mph.

Don't believe me? Here's a photo from the Outagamie County Recycling and Solid Waste facility in Appleton, Wisconsin, who shared a photo of the sign on their social media after putting it up.

The sign is at the recycling and solid waste facility, just north of Appleton, Wisconsin.

In a TV interview with Wisconsin TV station WBAY, the program coordinator with the facility explained the reasoning behind the odd sign, admitting they don't expect people to actually abide by the extremely precise speed limit at the facility where the sign is.

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As the facility explained in their social media post, the reason for the oddly specific sign is to get people's attention, explaining it is to "break up habits" of drivers as they enter and leave the facility. Being the facility sees vehicle traffic from people throughout the county, the combination of cars and trucks coming and going with larger, heavy equipment operating, safety is a key concern.

The idea is that the odd speed limit would hopefully get people's attention and encourage them to maintain a safe speed.

The program coordinator said that the sign has caused a bit of "an uproar", though he said it was all for a good reason, encouraging safety.

Some of the "uproar" was people on social media sarcastically commenting on how this was just another way for the county to get money out of people for not accurately following the speed limit.

Others in the comments admitted that the sign worked, with several people finding it a funny way to get people's attention and get them to slow down.

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The good news is that it sounds like the sign is doing its job. In an interview with a newspaper, the facility explained the average speeds being seen at the facility have come down from an average of 25 mph to 20 mph, which they say is a success.