The San José City Council gave the Vision Zero traffic safety initiative another tool to combat speeding-related collisions yesterday. Councilmembers adopted a resolution to lower speed limits on 23 street segments around the city. The resolution also maintains the current speed limit on three street segments that would otherwise have been raised to be more in line with traffic speeds. The move takes advantage of a pair of state laws meant to address dangerous speeds on high-injury streets.

Speed kills

Speeding is the top known cause of fatal and severe-injury collisions in San José. High speeds make crashes more likely, and injuries more severe. In 2024, 39 of the 49 traffic fatalities in San José happened on streets with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or higher. Nine of those deaths were directly attributed to speeding. We know that if we can bring down speeds, we can save lives.

New laws meant to save lives

On any given street, driver behavior can incrementally lead to faster speeds over time. Faster drivers encourage other drivers to go a little faster, and the cycle continues until the flow of traffic regularly exceeds the speed limit.

Historically, traffic engineers have had to raise speed limits as traffic speeds get faster. This requirement tried to avoid creating “speed traps” that punished drivers for going with the flow of traffic. This practice, in some cases, has pushed the speed limit on streets higher than was safe, making streets more dangerous. State Assembly bills 43 (passed in 2021) and 1938 (passed in 2022) gave California cities more flexibility to reduce speed limits. This flexibility applies to streets with high numbers of serious crashes, in business activity districts, and in areas with lots of people walking and biking. The laws also allow cities to keep speed limits the same, even if traffic speeds have gotten faster.

Where you will see new speed limits

The street segments that will have their speed limits reduced are:

 A few street segments will maintain their current speed limits, despite traffic speeds creeping upward since they were set:

Speed cameras are coming

Many of the street segments listed above will also have speed safety cameras installed in the coming year. There will be, at minimum, several months between when speed limits are reduced and the cameras are installed. Drivers will have plenty of time to get used to the new limits, and the speed cameras will be widely advertised before they are in use. Signs will be installed to warn drivers speed cameras are in use.

Help spread the word

The new speed limits are scheduled to go into effect in September. We are spreading the word through our blog and social media, as well as through Council Member newsletters, news media outreach, and electronic message boards on select streets.

You can help! Spread the word to your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. Pay attention to the posted speed limit whenever you drive. By slowing down, paying attention, and obeying the rules of the road, you will help bring us closer to our goal of zero traffic fatalities.