San Anselmo’s push for slower speeds is right

Neighbors complaining about speeding on their streets is not unusual.

It's a refrain heard often by local public works officials.

It's one that's been heard loud and clear by San Anselmo Town Hall, where the Town Council is considering reducing the speed limit on San Anselmo Avenue to 20 mph and installing speed bumps or “cushions.”

Speed cushions are a proven traffic “calming” strategy, typically slowing traffic to 15-20 mph. But they also need to be designed in a way that they don't hinder emergency vehicles.

That's done by designing the cushions with cutouts so emergency vehicles can pass without having to slow down.

The town's August speed survey of the street's traffic showed that an overwhelming proportion — 85% — are traveling a little slower than the posted 25 mph limit. The survey showed that 10% are speeding.

The problem, neighbors say, is that some motorists turning off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard don't slow down from the speeds they travel on the busy arterial.

Another town action may be a contributing factor. The town had put in “no parking” stretches along San Anselmo Avenue to respond to neighbors' complaints, but officials said without the parked cars lining the street, the road seemed wider, which seemed to encourage speeding.

The town is now looking at ways to slow down traffic near the corner of Drake and San Anselmo Avenue to reduce speeds as they enter neighborhood streets.

But before resetting posted speed limits, governing jurisdictions usually conduct speed surveys to determine the speed at which most motorists safely navigate those streets.

The survey justifies lowering the speed limit to 20 mph, according to town officials.

Local schools encourage pupils to walk or ride their bikes to campus. With San Anselmo Avenue being a popular bikeway through town, making the street as safe as possible for all should be a top goal.

In fact, members of the Town Council urged a regular review of local streets to reevaluate posted speed limits.

To its credit, the town in 2016 wrote a local “Traffic Calming Guidebook,” detailing various strategies local neighborhoods and the town can use to help slow down motorists and bolster safety.

Among its stated goals are “to Improve the safety and quality of life for residents, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and students” and “to approach residential traffic problems in a fair, consistent, and comprehensive manner.”

Lowering the speed limit is not a solo solution. Motorists who refuse to abide by the signs for a 25 mph limit are not likely going to heed the reduced speed limit either.

Public outreach and education, for residents and those who travel San Anselmo Avenue, is critical. So is regular enforcement.

But education and enforcement may not reach some motorists, those who insist on speeding without regard to their and others' safety and the peace and quiet of the neighborhood through which they are traveling.

San Anselmo Avenue may be a good example of that, given the varied tools under consideration to tackle this problem.

Town leaders appear to be ready to respond, taking action aimed at making the street safer for all.