Speed limits in seven commercial strips in San Francisco were decreased to 20 mph as the city is benefitting from a new state law being implemented in other huge cities across the country.
The lowered speed limits are starting with seven busy local streets like Haight and Fillmore. The move aims to cut down car-pedestrian or car-bicyclists crashes and if it happens, the victim will more likely not suffer from serious injuries.
“Lower speeds mean fewer crashes,” Municipal Transportation Streets Division head Tom Maguire said. “But also, for more vulnerable people such as elderly residents or children, a crash is much less likely to cause serious injuries.”
The recent mandate forms part of the Vision Zero campaign in San Francisco. Unveiled in 2014, the campaign aims to record no deaths linked to traffic accidents by 2024.
Last year, the city recorded 27 traffic-related facilities, with figures lower than that in 2014 and a little more than the 20 deaths recorded in 2017.
California mandated at least 25 mph speed limits on the majority of business areas until this year.
Gov. Gavin Newsom-signed bill, however, permitted cities to lessen speed limits to “consider the safety of vulnerable pedestrian groups.”
San Francisco lost a little time in its attempt to lower speeds in busy locations.
“San Francisco is committed to making city streets safer, and quickly implementing the changes” a statement by Mayor London Breed last week read, citing what is allowed under the latest law. “Lowering speeds is essential for meeting our city’s Vision Zero goals and advancing safety for all of our residents.”
Speed limits were lessened in areas which record high numbers of traffic-related injuries.
Included in these streets are:
· Polk Street between Filbert and Sutter streets
· Ocean Avenue from 19th Avenue east to Junipero Serra Boulevard
· Valencia Street between Market and Cesar Chavez streets
A lower speed limit will also be implemented on Haight Street, as it is needed on the tourist-packed blocks east of Golden Gate Park.
Also included in the new limits are commercial strips between Paul and Silver avenues in San Bruno Avenue, as well as parts of 24th Street in Noe Valley.
The city said it started posting new speed limits signs last week.