Moore, Tania
From: Steven C Shepherd Architect <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 11:19 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL; [email protected]
Subject: AGENDA ITEM #18 - SPEED LIMITS
Hello City Council -
I have reviewed the data included in this agenda item and the presentation highlighting the information related to the recommendations to reduce posted speed limits along 8 different segments of roadways. While I agree with these proposed reductions, this fails to adequately address the needs of our community.
Simply put, the arterial roadways crisscrossing our community are a pressing public safety concern and present a genuine threat to every Huntington Beach resident.
I know, I know "... reckless drivers are dangerous and street racing is bad..." but these lawless drivers are only part of the issue. In many cases, driving the posted maximum speed limit of 45mph presents a danger to other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Let me give you a couple of data points for reference:
• At 45mph, you are traveling 66 feet per second.
• At 45mph, it takes an average driver 125 to stop (nearly half a football field). • At 45mph, 80% of those struck by a vehicle die, and vehicle-to-vehicle crashes will result in severe vehicle damage and likely injuries to the drivers.
Perhaps the most frightening thing to consider is that all this assumes vehicles will actually only be traveling at the posted speed limit. As our most recent speed survey clearly shows, this assumption would be false.
So what do we do? Here are several thoughts:
1. Reduce posted speed limits to 40mph for all secondary arterials
2. Reduce posted speed limits to 30mph for arterials adjacent to parks and senior living communities.
3. Reduce posted speed limits to 15mph for all roadways adjacent to schools.
Is reducing our posted speed limits as suggested above the answer? Not alone, but it is a constructive step toward addressing an urgent public safety issue in our community.
I urge you to press for additional protections for our Huntington Beach community.
Sincerely,
Steve Shepherd
Huntington Beach 92646
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SUPPLEMENTAL
COMMUNICATION
Meeting Date: 4/4/2023
Agenda lom No: 18(23-237).
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