Next time you get in your car, try driving 15 mph. (Just don't make the drivers behind you angry!)
Some business and residential areas could see speed limits as low as 15 mph to provide more safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Under a new ordinance under consideration, Alexandria's City Manager would be allowed to increased or, more likely, decrease speed limits on city streets and set different speed limits for daytime and nighttime driving. All that would be required would be that the "increase or decrease in speed limit, or differential speed limit, shall be based upon an engineering and traffic investigation by the director of transportation and environmental services."
In addition, "The director of transportation and environmental services is authorized to decrease, for a temporary period not to exceed 60 days, without such engineering and traffic investigation, the speed limit on any city street" where work is being done.
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The lower speed limits coming are in support of Alexandria's adoption of Vision Zero, the initiative to eliminate casualties from vehicular and pedestrian accidents.
"Pedestrians and bicyclists are particularly vulnerable in the event of a crash, as the human body has physical limits for tolerating crash forces before death or serious injury occurs. A study published by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that the average risk of severe injury to a pedestrian increased with vehicle speed (from 10% at 16 mph, 25% at 23 mph, 50% at 31 mph, 75% at 39 mph, and 90% at 46 mph)," according to a City of Alexandria memo. The data came from a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
The first reading of the ordinance is set for Tuesday, March 8. Future council meetings will provide time for public feedback on the program.
Early reaction on local social media was mixed, with several residents giving a resounding "No!" to the idea. Other residents voiced concern about needing to focus on other safety areas, such as stop signs that drivers routinely roll through. But other residents thought it could be a good idea, particularly in some residential areas.
