What You Need To Know About Speed Limits
Speed Zones
Speed zones are often taken for granted and until a problem arises, most people pay little attention to the theory behind them. The following information will help you understand how speed zones are established, and what they can and cannot do.
Speed Zone Misconceptions
When traffic problems occur, concerned citizens
frequently ask why we don't lower the speed limit. There are widely held
misconceptions that speed limit signs will slow the speed of traffic reduce
accidents and increase safety. Most drivers drive at a speed that they
consider to be comfortable, regardless of the posted speed limit. Before
and after studies have shown that there are no significant changes in
average vehicle speeds following the posting of new or revised speed limits.
Furthermore, research has found no direct relationship between posted
speed limits and accident frequency.
Speed Laws
All fifty states base their speed regulations on
the Basic Speed Law: "No person shall drive a vehicle ... at a speed
greater than is reasonable or prudent ... and in no event at a speed which
endangers the safety of persons or property."
Under California law, the maximum speed limit in urban areas is 55 MPH. All other speed limits are called prima facie limits, which are considered by law to be safe and prudent under normal conditions. Certain prima facie limits are established by State law and include the 25 MPH speed limit in business and residential districts, 25 MPH in school zones when children are present, and the 15 MPH speed limit in alleys; at intersections and railroad crossings, where visibility is very limited. These speed limits do not need to be posted to be enforced.
Speed limits between 25 and 55 MPH are established on the basis of traffic engineering surveys. These surveys include an analysis of roadway conditions, accident records and a sampling of the prevailing speed of traffic. A safe and reasonable limit is set at or below the speed at which 85% of the drivers drive.
Traffic flowing at a uniform speed results in increased safety and fewer accidents. Drivers are less impatient, pass less often, and tailgate less, which reduces both head-on and rear-end collisions.
The posting of the appropriate speed limit simplifies the job of enforcement officers, since most of the traffic is voluntarily moving at the posted speed. Blatant speeders are easily spotted, safe drivers are not penalized, and patrol officers aren't asked to enforce and defend unrealistic and arbitrary speed limits.
Residential Streets
25 MPH speed limit signs may be posted on residential
streets without conducting a speed survey. A local street which is not
designated as an arterial or collector on the Federal System Map or in
the City's Circulation Element per Section 40802(b) and 22352(b)1 of the
California Vehicle Code, may have its residential streets posted at 25
mph. In order for a street to be designated as a local street on the City's
Circulation Map and Federal System Map, the street needs to have the following
characteristics:
- The width cannot exceed 40 feet.
- The interrupted length cannot be more than 1/2 mile; interruptions include official traffic control devices such as stop signs and traffic signals.
- There can be no more than one traffic lane in each direction.
Collector Streets
Collector streets typically conduct local street
traffic to the arterial street system. There are a number of streets in
the City which are designated collector streets in order to receive Federal
funds for maintenance. Although these streets are of a residential nature,
they are not local streets and do require speed limits to be posted based
on speed surveys. Typically, the streets have speed limits of 30 mph to
40 mph. Examples of residential collectors include the following:
| Cedar Street: | Poli Street to Kellogg Street |
| Day Road: | Foothill Road to Telegraph Road |
| Lemon Grove Road: | Main Street to Channel Drive |
| Loma Vista Road: | Day Road to Victoria Avenue |
| Poli Street: | Cedar Street to Catalina Street |
| Ramelli Avenue: | Telephone Road to Bristol Road |
| Santa Clara Street: | Main Street to Ventura Avenue |
Arterial Streets
Arterial streets are typically multi-lane roadways
(existing or planned for the future) serving commercial and business land
uses, carry the major traffic flow throughout the City and connect City
streets to the State Highway or Freeway system. The speed limit on these
streets are always required to be posted based on speed surveys. Typical
speed limits on arterial streets are 35 to 55 mph. The following is a
listing of the most important major streets in the City classified as
arterial:
| Bristol Road: | Johnson Drive to Montgomery Avenue |
| Johnson Drive: | Seaward Avenue to east City limits |
| Kimball Road: | U.S. 101 Freeway to Highway 126 |
| Main Street: | Foothill Road to Telephone Road |
| Main Street: | Fir to Telephone Road |
| Olivas Park Drive: | Harbor Blvd. to Perkin Avenue |
| Seaward Avenue: | Poli Street to the Ocean |
| Telegraph Road: | Main Street to East City limits |
| Telephone Road: | Olivas Park Drive to Wells Road |
| Thompson Blvd: | Garden Street to Main Street |
| Ventura Avenue: | Thompson Blvd. to City limits |
| Victoria Avenue: | Olivas Park Drive to Foothill Road |
| Wells Road: | Foothill Road to Telephone Road |
Traffic Speeding Issues
The City has an adopted Neighborhood
Traffic Management and Calming Policy to address speeding and cut
through traffic problems. To obtain a copy of this policy, please call
the Engineering Division at 654-7769 or download and view it by clicking
here.