The speed limit for the entrance is 15 mph. The high school principal argues that speeds up to 20 mph are acceptable, so nothing needs to be done about students speeding into the entrance. However the vice principal thinks that there is a problem that needs to be addressed, probably by issuing speeding tickets. How could the vice principal use this box-and-whisker plot and the principal’s statement that “speeds up to 20 mph are acceptable” to argue her position? Use mathematics in your explanation.

Should we start with the science or the politics? Let’s start with politics, since that gets us on track to answer the first part of the question. Because speed limits are enforceable laws, they are set by elected officials. At the state level, RCW 46.61.400 defines the speed limits for city streets at 25 mph, county roads at 50 mph and freeways at 60 mph. However, the next few sections of the RCW specify situations where state and local officials can adjust speed limits as appropriate.

In Whatcom County, for example, our statutory speed on county roads is 35 mph. For our local roads, the elected officials with authority to change speed limits are the members of a city or county council, which, if I recall correctly from my high school civics class, make up the legislative branch of our local government. I just point this out for the folks who feel the need to criticize a speed limit during the issuance of a speeding ticket. The police are part of the executive branch: They enforce the laws, but they don’t get to make them. As part of issuing a ticket, the officer will give the offender an opportunity to have a day in court, our judicial branch, and - ta da! — we’ve included all three branches of government in this article.