Newton’s new 25 MPH speed limit will apply on municipal roadways with no posted speed limits, replacing the previous default limit of 30 mph, The TAB’s Jonathan Dame reports.
City councilors approved the new speed limit Monday night, 19-2, after a brief debate during which only Ward 7 Councilor at-large Marc Laredo raised objections.
Two CCs with any common sense. Par for the course here in Newton.
Perhaps however I missed the thorough discussion in which the sponsors of this gem provided quantitative evidence from other municipalities concerning decreases in accident rate, decreases in the severity of accidents, etc. in order to justify the latest in a string of feel-good inconveniences for the folks who live and work in this city.
@Eric Miller, you did miss the thorough discussion we had in the Public Safety and Transportation committee, which unanimously approved the change. There are a huge number of studies showing that pedestrians and bicyclists involved in a collision with a motor vehicle are twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured if the vehicle is traveling at 30 mph instead of 25 mph. But the lowering of the statutory speed limit, alone, will not make the roads safer for everyone. We must also design all of our roads for lower speeds, which will make it safer for children, adults and elders on a bike or on foot. This is particularly true in village centers, such as West Newton Square, where the plans for improvements incorporate such design standards.
I’m with Ted on this one.
@Eric here is the discussion.
Thank you Ted.
Now to remember to slow down… ;)
Sure. No objection to 25. That said, people will drive as fast as they feel comfortable with / want to (including myself)
When police have nothing better to do they’ll set up speed traps which will be good for revenue. It will also make make more accidents fault of driver which I guess is good for insurance co revenue.
Cars speed past my house on Waltham Street at 40-50-60 mph every day … Especially during non rush hours.
I don’t expect a new regulation to make one bit of difference. But it doesn’t hurt I guess. Now figure out to stop us all from looking at our phones (including myself)
Mike
Ironically, Mike, the speed limit is posted on Waltham Street. So it will not change from 25 mph. A posted speed limit is also easier to enforce because of the shorter distance required to pull someone over. Enhanced enforcement, particularly around the beginning of school (there is a crossing on Waltham Street to get to the Franklin School) usually helps for a while. Interestingly, it is usually people who live in the neighborhood who get ticketed.
I’m grateful the state legislature gave Newton and other communities the ability to lower the default speed limit. @Mike you’re right that drivers will drive the road design speed. But unposted roads here are mostly side streets. Having a public statement that speeding in neighborhoods is not OK is a good step, and I thank the council for passing this. Now to the harder work of making our side streets “read” like 25 is a rational speed, not 35, 45 or 55.