City Council Moves Forward with Speed Limit Reductions in Bid to Enhance Road Safety

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On Tuesday, the city council discussed a proposal to lower speed limits on key streets across West Hollywood as part of the city’s ongoing Vision Zero program, which aims to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries. David Fenn, a senior planner with the city, presented the proposal, which is designed to make streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.

The proposal is a response to a new state law, AB 43, which grants municipalities the ability to lower speed limits in specific areas based on factors beyond just the 85th percentile speed of traffic. The law takes into account the surrounding land uses, such as parks, businesses, and areas with high pedestrian or bicycle activity, opening the door for more nuanced speed limit adjustments. West Hollywood’s proposed reductions are part of a broader effort to improve traffic safety citywide.

Under the plan, speed limits on several major corridors would be reduced by 5 MPH. Streets currently posted at 35 MPH would drop to 30 MPH, while some roads with 30 MPH limits would be lowered to 25 MPH. Local streets, particularly those in residential areas, would see more significant reductions, dropping from 25 MPH to 20 MPH.

The primary goal of these changes is to reduce both the frequency and severity of traffic accidents. Research has shown that even modest reductions in speed can significantly decrease the likelihood of crashes and lessen the impact of those that do occur. As part of the Vision Zero initiative, the proposed changes are intended to make West Hollywood’s streets safer for everyone, especially the most vulnerable road users.

Though the proposed reductions align with similar initiatives in neighboring Los Angeles, some streets in West Hollywood may still have slightly higher speed limits compared to surrounding areas. The cost of implementing the new limits is expected to be minimal, mostly involving the replacement of speed limit signs along the affected corridors.

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During the meeting, council members voiced concerns about specific streets, including Melrose Avenue and Fountain Avenue, both of which experience significant traffic congestion. Melrose Avenue, in particular, could benefit from a redesign in the future, which might include additional pedestrian crossings that would further support the case for lowering speed limits. Fountain Avenue, with its fluctuating traffic patterns, might also see more effective speed limit changes once infrastructure improvements are made.

One of the major concerns raised by the council was enforcement. Councilmembers discussed the challenges of ensuring that drivers comply with the new speed limits, particularly on streets like Fountain Avenue, where speeding is a recurring issue. In response, the city plans to collaborate with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to implement targeted patrols in high-traffic areas. Additionally, the city is considering the introduction of a dedicated traffic officer to help monitor and enforce speed limits.

Public education was also a key point of discussion. Many drivers may not be aware of the speed limit changes, especially in the early days after the new limits are posted. To help ensure a smooth transition, the city plans to implement a 30-day grace period, during which only warning tickets will be issued to drivers who are caught speeding. This will allow the public time to adjust to the new limits without facing penalties right away.

The council also discussed how future speed limit reductions could be guided by data, with a focus on areas that have high pedestrian and bicycle traffic or other characteristics that warrant lower speed limits. The Norma Triangle area, for example, where streets are narrower, could see additional reductions, as could cul-de-sacs and residential neighborhoods.

The Vice Mayor raised concerns about the impact of the speed limit reductions on major corridors such as Santa Monica Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard, where traffic congestion already causes delays. There were questions about how effective the new limits would be in these areas, given the heavy volume of cars on those roads. However, council members emphasized the importance of balancing traffic flow with safety, as well as the long-term benefits of the Vision Zero initiative.

The council ultimately voted in favor of the proposed speed limit reductions, with the provision that staff would continue to assess specific streets and report on progress quarterly. The council also noted the existence of a petition process, which allows residents to request traffic calming solutions—interventions such as bulb outs, speed cushions, and traffic circles—which are intended to help reduce cut-through traffic and slow traffic on residential streets.

While some council members expressed caution about the potential impact on traffic flow, the overall consensus was clear: the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists must be prioritized, and these speed limit changes are an important step in that direction. As West Hollywood moves forward with its Vision Zero goals, the city aims to create safer streets for all road users.

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Anonymous
Anonymous
22 days ago

This Vision Zero policy is a farce to sell the public on projects and policies that can never be achieved. Accidents happen all the time and many implementations that have been put in place have caused more harm than good. Reductions of speed only work if enforced. I rarely see any citations given for that. Timing the traffic lights would do a better job in maintaining the traffic speed limits. Pedestrian crosswalks with lackluster visual lights activated by individuals is random and further endangers the pedestrian and drivers. Why not a red light activation to actually make drivers know to… Read more »

Angry gay pope
23 days ago

And how are these speed limits supposed to be enforced by deputies? How many speeding tickets do they give out in a year? Two? Are the meter maids supposed to enforce this?

:dpb
:dpb
24 days ago

Now will the new speed limits be enforced in the residential neighborhoods? Keith Ave. is a death trap.

Gimmeabreak
Gimmeabreak
24 days ago

You can find “research” to say just about anything you need it to say.
If Fountain is reduced to two lanes traffic will be at a snail’s pace anyway.