HUNTINGTON BEACH : Speed Limits Cut on 2 Major Streets

The City Council has authorized lower speed limits on Brookhurst and Bushard streets, voicing fears that speeding vehicles are a threat to school children along the busy routes.

Speed limits on both streets were reduced to 45 m.p.h. Brookhurst had been posted at 55 m.p.h., Bushard at 50 m.p.h.

Officials said the new signs are expected to be posted sometime this week.

Councilman Jack Kelly’s suggestion that Brookhurst be reduced to 35 m.p.h. was rejected by colleagues who called it too drastic.

City traffic engineers had raised speed limits shortly before school started, following a radar speed survey that measured the speeds of 100 or more vehicles. Under state law, municipalities must conduct radar surveys of street traffic and set the posted legal limit at the speed at which 85% of vehicles travel, city traffic engineers said.

However, parents and school officials protested the higher speeds, saying the new limits put schoolchildren at risk.

City Council members on Sept. 8 ordered a new survey of the two streets. At the same time, they also agreed to install flashing lights at school crossings, purchase two radar speed display trailers--which tell motorists how fast they drive as they pass--and maintain a greater police presence along the thoroughfares.

Officials said they hoped that the new measures would slow drivers and that the upcoming traffic survey would reflect that and result in reduced speed limits.

Last week, though, the City Council decided to put the new, lower speed limits into effect without waiting for the new speed survey. City Councilwoman Grace Winchell said the city has the authority to reduce speed limits to protect the safety of the children.

However, by doing so without waiting for a new survey, police probably would be barred from using radar to catch violators, police said.

“We had to look at safety and do something,” Mayor Jim Silva said. “Heck, 55 is the speed limit on the freeway.”

Huntington City School District Trustee Shirley Carey applauded the action. “It is critical for the safety of the children,” she said.

Carey previously complained that city officials performed the survey, which resulted in increased speeds on Brookhurst and Bushard, on a school holiday. Speeds probably were faster than normal that day because there was less traffic than usual, she said.