HUNTINGTON BEACH : Cut in Speed Limits on 2 Streets OKd

The City Council sided with parents and school officials, voting for the second time to reduce speed limits on Brookhurst and Bushard streets as a safety measure for schoolchildren.

City traffic engineers had increased the speed limit to 50 and 55 m.p.h. on sections of Brookhurst and 50 m.p.h. on Bushard last August, after making speed surveys of the two streets.

Residents said the higher speeds turned the streets into virtual freeways and increased the danger to children who walk or ride bicycles to school.

Council members voted last October to lower the speed limit to 45 m.p.h. on both streets. Later, though, it was learned that the action failed to come in the form of an ordinance, a requirement of the city charter, and had to be acted upon again.

When the matter returned to the City Council on Tuesday, traffic engineers and police again said traffic surveys justified higher speeds. But council members unanimously rejected their recommendations.

Under state law, cities that want to use radar to enforce speed limits on particular streets must first conduct a traffic survey. The speed at which 85% of the vehicles in the survey travel then becomes the speed limit.

Police Chief Ronald E. Lowenberg told the council that radar is a tool that helps officers do their jobs “and not to garner revenue for the city” through tickets, as some critics allege.

“I like (radar), but my department can deal without it” on Brookhurst and Bushard streets, the chief said. “We can work around it.”

The City Council is to vote on the final reading of the speed limit ordinance Feb. 1.