Traffic safety: speed limits.
The passage of AB 1938 will likely lead to a more localized approach in setting speed limits, potentially enhancing road safety in areas with higher pedestrian activity, such as near business districts or schools. This bill will grant local authorities the ability to maintain or restore prior speed limits without requiring substantial justification in certain circumstances. By strategically lowering speed limits, especially in urban areas where pedestrian traffic is prevalent, the bill is expected to reduce accidents and enhance the overall safety of local roadways.
Assembly Bill No. 1938, introduced by Assemblymember Friedman, aims to amend several sections of the Vehicle Code to enhance traffic safety through the adjustment of speed limits based on local conditions. The bill establishes a framework in which local authorities, like city councils, can have greater discretion to set speed limits based on engineering and traffic surveys. It modifies regulations requiring speed limits to be rounded to the nearest five miles per hour of the 85th percentile speed of traffic, allowing localities to lower these limits under specific circumstances. The total reduction in speed limits, however, is capped at 12.4 miles per hour from the established 85th-percentile speed.
The reception of AB 1938 has been largely positive among local governance bodies, who appreciate the flexibility it provides in adjusting speed limits to better suit local conditions. Supporters argue that this bill empowers local authorities to make decisions that directly address their constituents' safety needs. However, there are concerns from critics who fear that without stringent guidance, local authorities may set speed limits inconsistently, which could lead to confusion for drivers and potentially undermine roadway safety.
A notable point of contention surrounding AB 1938 is the balance between local control and uniformity in speed regulations across jurisdictions. Some lawmakers and public safety advocates worry that the decentralized approach could create a patchwork of speed limits that varies significantly from one locality to another, complicating enforcement and compliance. Furthermore, while local authorities can decide to lower speed limits, there is a debate about the sufficiency of the criteria for implementing such changes, which some fear may lead to arbitrary reductions.