CityofGoleta
New Ordinance to Lower Speed Limits
Goleta took its first policy step in advancing its Vision Zero goals at the August 20, 2024, City Council Meeting. Staff introduced an ordinance that will lower speed limits on roadways in Goleta based on new State law. Assembly Bill (AB) 43 – Traffic Safety. AB 43, passed by the legislature in 2021 and effective as of June 30, 2024, gives local governments new authority to reduce speed limits on “safety corridors”, (streets with the highest number of serious injury and fatal collisions) and streets where conditions support high concentrations of bikes and pedestrians.
Vision Zero is a system-wide approach to traffic safety, gaining momentum in American cities, that focuses on reducing the number of traffic related fatalities and severe injuries to zero. Earlier this year, City Council adopted a resolution in support of Vision Zero strategies in Goleta.
The new lower speed limits ordinance, which is scheduled for adoption at the next City Council meeting on September 3rd, 2024, will:
- lower enforceable speed limits on nearly all major roadways by five (5) to 10 miles per hour.
- reduce the risk of traffic-related injuries and deaths.
- improve comfort and safety for bikes and pedestrians, particularly children, seniors and the disabled.
Enforcement of these new speed limits will not begin until appropriate signs have been installed, likely toward the end of this year.
Watch the Council meeting on the City website at https://tinyurl.com/bddmres2. The staff report is available here: https://tinyurl.com/ujymur.
Laws mean nothing without enforcement.
Only if punishment is how you’re motivated.
Wow. Check out the Staff Report link above. The table at the end lists the streets and new speed limits. All Goleta thoroughfares get the speed limit(s) knocked down by 5-10 mph. Gonna be a slow go from now on and not just in Old Town.
This is a good thing.
The current speed limits are generally too high, and routinely ignored. Hoping for lots of enforcement of the traffic laws.
Could have spent that money and time on a pedestrian, bicycle safety education program. Education about how running red lights and stop signs, riding and running in traffic lanes leads to more accidents.
SAIL – absolutely agree about the need for bicycle safety programs and enforcement, especially along Cathedral Oaks. Be nice if they could do both!