The city voted to reduce speed limits on residential and some arterial streets in an effort to improve traffic safety and reduce the risk of death or serious injury when crashes occur.
As announced in a City of Tacoma press release republished in The Suburban Times, Tacoma’s city council has voted to lower speed limits to 20 miles per hour on residential streets and 25 miles per hour on arterial streets in four of the city’s Neighborhood Business Districts.
“The link between speed and injury severity in crashes is consistent, direct, and especially critical for more vulnerable roadway users. With tonight’s action, coupled with other actions in our Vision Zero Action Plan, our goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2035 is in sight,” said Council Member Kristina Walker.
Tacoma passed its Vision Zero ordinance in February 2020, pledging to devote resources to eliminating traffic deaths by 2035. According to the press release, “Speed reduction is one proven strategy to eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes as part of Vision Zero. Lowering speeds improves safety by reducing the frequency and severity of crashes, improves visibility, provides additional time for drivers to stop, and reduces the potential for fatal or serious injuries by lowering impact forces.”
The city plans to roll out an outreach campaign to inform the public about the new speed limits before the law goes into effect in January 2023.
Read the full story: Tacoma City Council Approves Speed Limit Reduction Ordinance
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