20 MPH Speed Limits On Some Streets Considered In Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH, VA — The Falls Church City Council will consider permitting the speed limit to be reduced from 25 to 20 mph on certain residential streets. On Monday, council members voted to schedule a public hearing and final consideration for Nov. 28.

If approved, the ordinance would allow the city manager to reduce the speed limit on local residential streets to 20 mph. The change would not apply to arterial streets such as Broad Street and Washington Street, which could require Virginia Department of Transportation approval and significant changes to change driver behaviors.

Collector streets such as West Street, Great Falls Street and Hillwood Avenue would also continue to have a 25 mph speed limit, but the speed limit for these streets could be revisited if they undergo traffic-calming measures, according to City Manager Wyatt Shields. Park Avenue will also remain 25 mph, although Shields believes it will be appropriate to lower it to 20 mph once the Park Avenue Great Streets project is complete.

The proposed change would apply to local streets that would not require VDOT involvement and minimal to no changes to streets and additional enforcement. A map shows the streets that would be eligible for reduced speed limits (Speed Zone 3).

"What is currently the case is that these streets are currently regulated at 25 mph," Shields told the City Council. "Due to the science behind the damage caused to humans from speeding vehicles, an accident at 20 mph is usually a survivable accident, whereas at higher speeds going up to 30 and 35 mph the damage is much more severe."

Councilmember David Snyder said some of the benefits of reducing the speed limits to 20 mph include traffic being the top concern of residents and a lower speed limit improving crash outcomes. Snyder also highlighted benefits to pedestrian and bicyclist safety and reaffirming the city's commitment to traffic safety through signage.

Shields said if approved, it would take several months to implement due to signage changes and public notice.

"The goal is not to write speeding tickets," said Shields. "The goal is to change driver behavior and to improve safety in the city, particular on our smaller residential streets."

Enforcement would begin no earlier than March 30, 2023, according to the ordinance. Police Chief Mary Gavin noted City of Falls Church Police can enforce violations originating in the city up to a mile into Arlington or Fairfax County.