As the new year begins, Petaluma has introduced a new campaign. In a city council meeting held in April, the issue of speed limits and road safety was thoroughly discussed, leading to some important decisions. Bright orange signs have been dispersed around streets saying, “Hey Petaluma Slow the Fast Down Safer Streets for All.”
The speed limit will be reduced from 20 miles per hour to 15 miles per hour when within 500 feet of a school district. This speed limit is meant for school hours and non-school hours. The maximum speed limit will be 30 miles per hour. This includes all Petaluma preschools, elementary schools, and high schools, regardless of whether they are public or private.
In business districts, the speed limit will change if there is a maximum of 4 lanes present. If it drops to 20 miles per hour, the maximum will be 25 miles per hour. This change will be most significant on the west side of Petaluma.
These changes are not just about rules; they are about safety. They are intended to provide more safety for pedestrians, including those who are biking, walking, or just generally using non-automotive transport. The campaign highlights several key motivators for the measure: more safety for all, better fuel efficiency, more time for split-second decisions, and less stress and calm. These new speed limits are planned to come into effect next month in June. A pledge for those interested in the campaign is listed on the official city website for Petaluma. This campaign is intended to help reach the Sonoma County Vision Goal of no fatal disasters from car accidents by 2023.
