How slow can you go? A call for some reduced speed limits

QSince COVID-19, in the neighborhoods in San Jose that I frequently visit, I have noticed people and children walking, running, using personal mobility devices and playing in the streets. They simply have taken control of their neighborhood residential streets. In one neighborhood I visit frequently, the residents have posted signs referring to the speed limit they want, “20 is plenty.” In these neighborhoods, I always set my cruise control at 20 mph to respect their wishes. I do the same thing in my own neighborhood.

It is time that the city of San Jose recognize this reality and adjust the residential speed limit to 20 mph to discourage excessive speed, frequently over 35 mph, on these streets.

Minneapolis just instituted a 20 mph speed limit in the entire city, “except where posted.”

ALocal jurisdictions in California must use the guidelines and criteria established by the state in setting speed limits on local roads, according to the city of San Jose's Department of Transportation. The guidelines serve to prevent municipalities from arbitrarily setting speed limits too low, creating speed traps. If speed limits are set too low and are outside of what is permitted by state guidelines, speed limits cannot be enforced by police using radar speed guns.

The California legislature passed and the governor signed Assembly Bill 43 in 2021, which gives local jurisdictions more leeway over setting speed limits, in certain circumstances. San Jose has taken advantage of provisions in the law that have been enacted thus far, including lowering speed limits in six business activity districts:

• Santa Clara Street (Almaden Avenue to Fifth Street).

• Almaden Avenue (St. John Street to Santa Clara Street).

• Post Street (Market Street to First Street).

• Willow Street (Palm Street to Almaden Avenue).

• Evergreen Village Square.

• Jackson Street (Third Street to Seventh Street).

Lower speeds will make the business districts safer and quieter, especially for pedestrians and bicyclists in high-activity areas. They will, hopefully, also help more customers notice local businesses as they move through these areas more slowly.

Lowering speeds in business activity districts is a first step allowed under the new law. Over the next year and a half, AB 43 provisions also will allow cities to start adjusting speed limits on other, larger streets. By June 2024, local jurisdictions will be able to reduce speed limits by an additional 5 mph beyond current law on higher-speed streets that meet certain criteria, based on safety needs.

Caltrans is still developing criteria for those faster streets. When the criteria are announced, San Jose's Department of Transportation will use them to assess the city's high-injury streets, including the Vision Zero Priority Safety Corridors, and reduce speed limits, where appropriate.