As students head back to Sacramento schools, drivers are reminded to slow down and that “15 is fast enough.”
The City in 2019 established a 15-mph speed limit near 115 public, private and charter schools in City limits.
Speed limits were reduced near school zones on 225 two-lane residential streets from 30 or 25 mph to 15 mph, as defined by California Vehicle Code.
“The City of Sacramento is a Vision Zero city, and we prioritize transportation safety for all modes of travel,” said Gabby Miller, media and communications specialist for the City. “All drivers are urged to remember that ’15 is fast enough’ in school zones for the safety of family, friends and neighbors.”
Vision Zero is a traffic safety philosophy that rejects the notion that traffic crashes are simply “accidents,” but instead are preventable incidents that can and must be systematically addressed.
In 2021, the Vision Zero School Safety Study was approved by City Council. This effort documented conditions for students walking, bicycling, taking the bus, or being dropped off at 20 schools throughout the City.
The completed study includes short-term and long-range recommendations including signing, pavement marking and traffic calming improvements.
“Through our efforts we evaluate crash data, look for systemic issues and work to improve safety as funding is available,” Miller said.
As an alternative to driving, students can also take advantage of free rides on the entire Sacramento Regional Transit network.
The program is available to any young person who lives or goes to school within SacRT’s service area, which includes the cities of Sacramento, Elk Grove, Folsom, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova and parts of Sacramento County.
For more information on the program visit RydeFreeRT.com.
Walking and biking are additional options for ways to get to school. City staff recently launched the Streets for People Active Transportation Plan which will direct investments for those walking, biking and rolling citywide.