July 21, 2026, 1:54 pm | City News Team: Speed is one of the most significant factors in determining whether a crash results in a serious injury or fatality.
On average, more than 180 traffic crashes in San Diego involve a fatality or serious injury each year, often occurring on streets with similar conditions and disproportionately affecting people walking and biking, older adults, and residents of historically underserved communities.
For these reasons, reducing speeds — especially in places where people live, shop, attend school and access transit — is one of the most effective ways to save lives and prevent serious injuries.
Recent changes in California law — including Assembly Bills 43, 1938 and 382 — now provide cities greater flexibility to reduce speed limits based on safety and street context, not solely on prevailing speeds. Together, these laws allow cities to reduce speed in specific situations:
- Safety Corridors: Up to 5 mph reductions on corridors with higher concentrations of fatal or serious injury crashes.
- High Pedestrian & Bicyclist Activity Corridors: Up to 5 mph reductions on streets near sidewalks, bikeways, transit and activity centers.
- Business Activity Districts: Reduced speeds to 25 mph or 20 mph on commercial streets with frequent crossings and parking activity.
- School Zones: Reduced speeds to 15 mph or 20 mph within 500 feet of schools, and 25 mph on nearby approach streets.
That’s an excerpt. Read the entire report from the City News Team at: https://www.insidesandiego.org/speed-limits-reduced-part-comprehensive-speed-management-plan
