Speed Limit Plan Hits Bump in Road

An attempt to slow traffic on some of the busiest streets in Thousand Oaks hit a roadblock in Sacramento this week -- but officials are hoping it’s only temporary.

The city was seeking legislation to preset a speed limit of 45 mph on high-volume thoroughfares. Posted speeds on such roads are normally set after traffic studies are conducted to determine how fast most motorists actually travel.

But opposition from the Automobile Club of Southern California and the California Bus Assn., which represents more than 80 private operators of tour and charter buses, put the brakes on that plan. They were concerned that the city’s proposal was too wide-ranging and could result in speed traps being created throughout the state.

This led to a compromise suggested by the state Assembly Transportation Committee.

City officials are now working with Assemblyman Tony Strickland (R-Moorpark) to come up with language in his proposed bill, AB 872, that would allow the city to lower speed limits on roadways specifically designated as urban, divided and limited-access arterial roadways.

The bill would essentially apply the same standards outlined in a 2001 law introduced by Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara). It gives local jurisdictions the authority to set speed limits 5 mph lower on residential streets, based on housing density and the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists.

If Strickland’s legislation is approved, Jackson’s law would apply to arterial highways, such as the four that Thousand Oaks is most concerned about: Lindero Canyon Boulevard, Lynn and Olsen roads and Westlake Boulevard. After traffic studies last year, limits were raised to 50 mph on those streets.

“We worked out a compromise that Thousand Oaks was extremely happy with,” Strickland said.

A contingent of Thousand Oaks city officials testified Monday in Sacramento before the revised bill received the transportation committee’s 15-0 vote.

“We have a good compromise in the works,” said City Councilman Dennis Gillette. “Our concern all along is that solely allowing the fastest drivers to set the speed limits creates a hazard for all users of the roadway, and not just those driving automobiles.”