The speed limit in most places downtown is 25 mph, but you might not think that, judging by the hunks of metal hurtling down pedestrian-filled streets.

Many drivers in State College seem to obey the speed limit, but some put the safety of pedestrians, who must sprint to finish crossing the street, at risk. Using the crosswalk can sometimes be a death-defying stunt downtown.

That's why it's a good idea that the State College Borough Council is installing electronic speed signs, which will show drivers' speeds as they pass by.

Possible locations for the temporary signs include Garner and Pugh streets, Easterly Parkway and Waupelani Drive.

And it won't cost the borough anything.

Public works director Mark Whitfield said the signs usually cost between $10,000 and $12,000 but will be implemented free of charge by All Traffic Solutions (ATS), a company responsible for manufacturing traffic safety products.

The problem isn't just a matter of the occasional speed demon rocketing down the road. Many of us who have received speeding tickets can attest that sometimes we don't realize how fast we're actually going. Only after we're pulled over on the side of the road do we find out the cold, hard truth.

The signs allow the State College Police Department to spread its resources elsewhere, rather than paying an officer to sit at a "speed trap" for a period of time.

Officers' time can then be spent patrolling neighborhoods -- a task some students and community members have been calling for more and more, especially in response to assaults and other crime downtown.

And although officers won't be monitoring the signs, drivers may still slow down. If a motorist is going over the limit, the flashing red numbers for all to see may be enough to shame the driver into complying.

Borough officials should consider using the signs in other areas, as well. The same problem occurs on College and Beaver Avenues. Even Calder Way has its share of speeders.

People do abuse the speed limit in State College.

The signs won't eliminate speeding altogether, but they will raise awareness and could prevent accidents from happening.

And hey, if you're surprised to see that you are in fact speeding, you won't even get a ticket.