Traffic & Transportation

Ventura Traffic Citizen Information Brochures

What You Need To Know About Neighborhood Traffic Safety

Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program

Citizens frequently express their concerns regarding traffic speeds and pedestrian safety in residential neighborhoods. The City established this neighborhood traffic program to address these concerns. The program involves a joint effort between the residents and the City in an effort to improve traffic safety in their neighborhoods.

What can you do to make the streets safer?

As A Driver... know and obey the speed limits! The most common concern expressed to the City is about speeding traffic in residential neighborhoods. Speeding traffic is a concern to all of us.

The California Vehicle Code sets the prima facie speed limit in residential districts at 25 mph. Prima facie limits are considered by law to be safe and prudent under normal conditions. This lower speed limit allows for a greater reaction time and shorter necessary stopping distance to avoid a hazard in the roadway. A residential district is determined by the width of the roadway and the density of adjacent residential development.

Some residential streets may have a speed limit greater than the 25 mph prima facie speed limit because of the functional use of the street, the adjacent land use, the width of the street, or a previously set speed limit based on a radar survey.

Watch for and yield to pedestrians in the roadway. Pedestrians are commonly present in residential neighborhoods. A pedestrian has the right-of-way in marked or unmarked crosswalks at an intersection as long as they have used due care for their safety.

Plan your trips.Combine your trips into a single trip with several destinations to reduce congestion and the urge to drive fast.

As a parent, set a good example for your children. Children often learn by watching and imitating their parents. Your actions as a driver, pedestrian or bicyclist should always set a good example.

Do not encourage your children to play in the street. Instead, encourage them to use their own yard, a neighbors yard, or a nearby park.

Instruct children in the proper way to cross the street. Tell children not to dawdle, but to cross quickly when safe to do so, and to continue watching for traffic until they are safely on the curb at the other side. Teach your children this simple rhyme:

Stop, look and listen
Before you cross the street.
Use your eyes,
Use your ears,
And then use your feet.

Teach your children the safest route to school. The City has prepared suggested route to school maps that indicate the best routes for your children to take. These routes take advantage of signalized crossings and adult crossing guards. Copies of the routes can be obtained from the School District or the City.

As A Resident... get involved. Be aware of road conditions, traffic patterns and alternate routes to your destination. Be aware of the rules of the road as a pedestrian,
bicyclist, or motorist.

Talk with your neighbors about traffic safety. Be aware of existing conditions and notify the City when situations seem to create a problem. Think about ways in which these situations might be changed prior to contacting the City.
Report damaged, faded or missing traffic signs and help maintain good visibility by trimming landscaping. Especially important is sight distance at intersection corner lots.

What can the City do to help?

Traffic Signs - The City installs traffic signs to regulate parking, regulate speeds and to warn of traffic hazards. Residents can request that warning or regulatory signs be placed at appropriate locations to warn of hazards or regulate parking.

Street Lighting - To increase the visibility of pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vehicles, the City installs street lighting in residential neighborhoods. This higher visibility generally leads to a reduction in accidents. The installation of street lighting has also shown to reduce neighborhood crime.

Maintain the Roadway System - Report damaged sidewalk or streets, as well as missing or old signs. The City has maintenance crews that will repair damages to the infrastructure.

Neighborhood Traffic Management Program

(view the brochure and report here)
In June, 1997, the City Council approved a Neighborhood Traffic Management and Calming Program by adopting Resolution No. 97-53.   This program offers 29 different options, deviled into four different levels to address speeding and cut through traffic concerns on resident streets.  Levels 1 and 2 do not involve physical changes to the street.  Levels 3 and 4 required making physical changes to the street.  The process involves citizens obtaining neighborhood consensus by circulating petitions to residents living in the area that will be impacted by the physical changes.  An outline of the City's Neighborhood Traffic Management and Calming Program can be obtained by requesting an information brochure from the City.

The brochure provides enough information for residents to determine if their street is eligible for the program and how the program works.  Citizens can also request a copy of Resolution No. 97-53 and the Neighborhood Traffic Management and Calming Program report.  This report provides detailed descriptions of the 29 different options available under the City's Traffic Calming Program.