San Francisco Lowers School Zone Speed Limits
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Pedestrian safety has become a top priority for officials in San Francisco, as they have lowered the speed limit in school zones to 15 miles per hour.
The goal is to get motorists to slow down in those areas and they argue that by lowering the speed limits within 500 feet of the 213 San Francisco schools, it will help reduce the likelihood of serious injuries in traffic accidents.
KCBS' Barbara Taylor Reports:
"What this should mean is that as kids are getting off of the school bus or getting out of a car, walking up from the nearest Muni stop or from their house, they'll be able to do so without cars flying by," said San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Executive Director Ed Reiskin.
The San Francisco Police Department will provide enforcement as well as education support and traffic enforcement will roll out in coordination with the sign installation schedule.
"We're putting up signs and together with the police department, we'll be doing outreach," Reiskin said.
Approximately a thousand signs will be put up with the costs being covered by local Proposition K sales tax and Muni operating funds.
About a hundred schools will receive the signage during this school year with the rest expected to be implemented in the Summer.
The goal is to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities by 50 percent over the next decade.
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