Slow Down, Petaluma: New Traffic Rules, Speed Limits

PETALUMA, CA — Petaluma traffic scofflaws beware of a bullet list of new safe-driving measures rolling out across town, beginning with lower speed limits on downtown streets and near schools.

The maximum on downtown streets will be 20 mph, and 15 mph on streets while children are present near schools.

The reduced speed limits will be rolled out in phases, according to Petaluma police.
After new speed limit signs are posted, police will issue warnings for the first two weeks.
After that, they will ticket.

The goal is to eliminate deaths and severe injuries from traffic collisions in Petaluma, the police said in a statement.

The move is in line with a 2021 state law (AB 43) that lets local governments lower speed limits on roadways identified as “safety corridors” without following the “85th percentile rule." Under the 85th percentile standard, speeds get set according to the miles per hour at which 85 percent of cars in an area travel. That speed, rounded to the nearest five mph, is set as the new limit. CalTrans has called the 85th percentile rule “the single most influential indicator of what is safe and reasonable” for determining safe driving speeds, according to a report. The standard, mandated by state law, has often caused governments to raise speed limits on roads throughout the state — even when residents might wish for the opposite. Petaluma invoked AB 43 in the new speed limits.

The city also received a $180,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) that police said they plan to spend on enforcement and education programs to help reduce serious injuries and deaths on Petaluma roads.

Police will also be cracking down on drivers who speed, fail to yield, run stop signs and red lights, and make illegal turns or lane changes.

• DUI checkpoints and patrols.
• Distracted driving in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law.
• Biking and walking safety focuses on the most dangerous automobile driver behaviors.

The plan also includes community presentations, joint operations with local law enforcement agencies, and training and certification.