San Jose Councilman Wants To Lower Speed Limit Near Schools
SAN JOSE (KCBS) – San Jose City Councilman Pierluigi Oliverio is looking to lower traffic speeds around all public and private schools in the city.
The proposal comes as the number of crossing guards have been reduced in San Jose due to budget constraints. It also follows the passage of a state law, AB321, which allows cities to lower the speed limit around schools from 25 to 15 miles per hour.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
"Cities across California have looked at it and have done it. We actually did it in San Jose on Dana Avenue in the Rose Garden area. We reduced the speed to 15 miles per hour," said Oliverio. "That showed that parents, students and teachers have been happy that they feel safer when the speed limit is lower."
San Francisco is just one of the cities that recently adopted the new speed limit rules around schools.
San Jose City Councilwoman Rose Herrera said that instead of lower speed limits, she would like to see fewer cars on the street and have more students walking to school.
"Walking to school really allows kids to exercise for one thing," Herrera said. "And it gets cars off the street. Having that many cars surrounding schools is not a very safe environment for kids to have to walk when you have all this traffic congestion."
The San Jose City Council's Rules and Open Government Committee will take up the issue on Wednesday.
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