Need for Speeds

Panel rejects raising speed
'Overwhelming' opposition was factor
By Kenneth Todd Ruiz Staff Writer
Article Launched: 09/26/2007 11:48:33 PM PDT

PASADENA - Changes in state law are forcing cities to review how they calculate speed limits or risk the ability to enforce them.

In Pasadena, where few citywide issues can unite residents like traffic, overwhelming neighborhood opposition to proposed speed-limit increases along portions of 11 streets helped convince a City Council advisory body to unanimously reject a staff proposal to bring the limits in line with state law.

"The commission found the overwhelming community sentiment was a factor," Vince Farhat, chairman of the Transportation Advisory Commission, said Wednesday.

"Speed limit increases raises concerns that it's going to negatively impact safety, pedestrian and bicyclist safety and negative quality of life."

The commission's decision came after the panel listened to impassioned comments from residents and members of several influential neighborhood associations, who variously characterized the proposed changes as "stupid," "foolhardy" and "ill-considered."

Among the streets under review are portions of Lida, Mountain and Villa streets; Raymond Avenue; and Rosemead, San Gabriel and Washington boulevards.

Taking no action leaves police with a fundamental predicament:

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Officers can't write speeding tickets on some of the affected streets, according to the head of the Police Department's Traffic Section.
"We have our hands tied," said Lt. Phlunte Riddle. "We are not enforcing speeds right now on certain streets. Period."

Tickets are being dismissed in traffic court because they were issued on streets lacking a current and valid engineering study.

Officers can still cite motorists for unsafe driving based on conditions such as excessive speeding or weather but can't legally enforce the posted speed limits on those streets, Riddle said Wednesday.

Under the California Vehicle Code, setting speed limits is a balancing act of interests.

To enforce speed limits, cities must rely on traffic studies no more than five years old, according to Mike Yamarone, interim director of Pasadena's Transportation Department.

"This is all based on state law," Yamarone said. "To enforce with radar, you must set your speed limits through a process of surveying and engineering studies."

Tweaking the posted speed limit doesn't have a direct effect on how fast people drive, he added.

Studies by the U.S. Department of Transportation, several states and the National Motorists Association have concluded the effects of raising or lowering speed limits have little effect on driver speed.

Raising limits has a tendency to reduce accidents, according to the federal study, while lowering them did not reduce accidents - it just increased the number of tickets written.

Residents, frustrated with the city's coagulated traffic and reckless driving in their neighborhoods, chided city staff for what they feel is a direct threat to the safety of their families.

"All we're going to end up with this is ever-increasing traffic speeds," said David Worrell. "We need to work together to change the law. This is the stupidest idea I've heard in a long time."

Claire Bogaard, wife of Mayor Bill Bogaard, has called for reducing speeds throughout the city and pointed out to the commission how many schools, convalescent homes and medical care facilities lined Pasadena Avenue, one of the streets under review.

Richard Booker, a resident and lawyer, was among those suggesting the city's legal interpretation ignores some considerations permitted when setting limits, such as residential density and pedestrian safety.

Deputy City Attorney Nicholas Rodriguez was at Tuesday night's meeting and said his office will review the suggestions made.

"Unfortunately, because the courts and legislature don't want politics or revenue needs dictating speed limits, they've given us very little room to move," he said. "There were some very good points made that we're going to take a look at that would give us the maximum latitude."

The commission could decide to hold another special meeting before it makes its recommendation to the City Council, which was expected by Oct. 27.

todd.ruiz@sgvn.com

(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4444

www.insidesocal.com/pasadenapolitics