The Pleasanton City Council approved several speed limit changes at its March 5th Council Meeting.  The City regularly reviews and updates speed limits as required by the California Vehicle Code.  In the most recent review seven streets were identified for a reduction in the posted speed limit.  These streets are identified in the table below.  Speed limit signs will be changed in the coming weeks.  City Staff will place temporary "traffic control change ahead" signs on the affected streets for two weeks as a reminder to drivers of the speed limit change.

There are specific guidelines that must be followed to legally establish and enforce speed limits. State law allows for a 25 MPH speed limit in business and residential districts. This limit does not have to be posted to be enforced. 

Speed limits between 25 and 65 MPH are required to be established on the basis of engineering and traffic surveys. Engineering and traffic surveys include an analysis of roadway conditions, collision records and a sampling of the prevailing speed of traffic. The speed limit is set within 5 mph of the prevailing speed as it is assumed the majority of drivers drive at a speed that is safe and prudent for the given roadway. A 5 MPH speed limit reduction is allowed at locations with unusual conditions not readily apparent to the driver.

Speed limits provide notice to drivers of the maximum speed limit on a roadway and are an enforcement tool to assist police in separating violators from the reasonable majority.  If posted speed limits are set artificially low, disrespect is created for the limits, and since they are not set in accordance with the law, they are not enforceable with radar.  The state maximum speed limit would then apply.  The occasional driver attempting to obey the posted speed limit may decrease safety by causing additional lane changes, passing and tailgating.  Setting speed limits near the prevailing speed of traffic results in traffic flowing at uniform speeds.  Correctly set speed limits can increase safety and lead to fewer accidents.

City of Pleasanton Speed Limit Reductions

Street

From

To

Existing Speed Limit

New Speed Limit

Andrews Drive

Owens Drive

Old Santa Rita Road

40

35

Johnson Drive

Owens Drive (south)

1000' north of Owens Dr (north)

35

30

Owens Drive

Chabot Canal

Rosewood Drive

45

40

Pleasanton Avenue

Bernal Avenue

Angela Street

30

25

Springdale Avenue

Stoneridge Drive

Stoneridge Mall Road

30

25

Willow Road

Stoneridge Drive

West Las Positas Boulevard

40

35

Willow Road

Owens Drive

Stoneridge Drive

40

35