Speed Zone Survey

In the state of California, the process of establishing speed limits is defined in the California Vehicle Code (CVC) and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD). The CVC provides local agencies a procedure of setting speed limits based on an “Engineering and Traffic Survey” as defined in the California MUTCD.

The CVC states that prima facie speed limits established under the above procedure may not be enforced by radar unless the speed limit has been justified by an “Engineering and Traffic Study.” The last “Engineering and Traffic Study” was conducted in 2013. The City has historically contracted with a private company to collect speed and volume data. Staff will then take the data, perform the accident analysis and prepare a report in accordance with the CVC necessary to establish speed limits.