Title text:
They rounded down to 182.8 instead of rounding up to 182.9 because 182.9 might make the statement incorrect.
Transcript:
Transcript will show once it’s been added to explainxkcd.com
Source: https://xkcd.com/3248/
this post was submitted on 21 May 2026
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Actually, they do this so helmspeople pay attention to the sign and the speed limit. Saying "5" makes people think they can squeeze up to 7-8, etc. That little extra speed might mean something in a busy boating or shipping lane.
That may be true.
However, the sign is in a parking lot as people drive up to an inspection gate, not on the water.
I edited my original comment to make that clearer.