NEWPORT BEACH
The City Council on Monday decided to raise the speed limit on Santiago Drive to 30 mph, despite residents’ protests that the increase will encourage people to speed.
But Police Chief Robert J. McDonell argued that the new speed limit will make it possible for officers to use radar detectors on the street. In order for police to control speeding, they need a minimum of 30 mph to use radar detectors.
A city traffic study concluded that the average speed of cars along Santiago is 36 mph when there is no traffic. The new speed limit, therefore, would be only 85% of what drivers go, Councilman Gary Adams said.
For many residents, this was not reassuring. Although Santiago is not considered a residential street and can therefore accommodate faster speeds, many community members said they are concerned about their children’s safety.
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