California Speed Limits
When driving in Anaheim, Orange County, or anywhere else in California, you must abide by the speed limit. When drivers speed, they run the risk of causing an accident that can result in injury or death to themselves or others.
In several cities, including Anaheim, city officials have begun lowering speed limits to make roads safer and save lives. Keep reading to learn more about California speed limits.
Anaheim Lowers Speed Limits on 169 Streets
In August 2024, the city of Anaheim officially began changing speed limit signs and lowering posted speed limits on 169 streets. Most streets will see a speed decrease of about five mph, from 40 mph to 35 mph.
These are the following speed limit changes:
- 159 road sections: 5 mph
- 155 sections: unchanged
- 9 sections: 10 mph
- Manchester Ave. section: 15 mph
A short stretch of Manchester Avenue between Anaheim Boulevard and Katella Avenue will have its speed limit reduced from 40 mph to 25 mph, marking a notable reduction.
Other major roads in Anaheim that will see a change are:
- State College Boulevard
- Harbor Boulevard
- Anaheim Boulevard
- Serrano Avenue
You can visit here for a complete list of streets where the speed limit has changed.
Why Is Anaheim Lowering Its Speed Limits?
Like many cities across Southern California, speeding drivers are a significant traffic safety concern. Anaheim is lowering speed limits to make roads safer for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The faster vehicles travel, the greater the risk of severe injury or death for pedestrians. The city of Anaheim conducted a report showing that reducing posted speed limits can significantly decrease the likelihood of fatal accidents.
For instance, a pedestrian struck by a vehicle going 20 mph has a 90% chance of survival, whereas the chance drops to just 10% if the vehicle is traveling at 40 mph. In 2023, 21 people were killed on Anaheim roads, highlighting the need for lower speed limits.
A separate study conducted by UC Berkeley found that lowering the speed limit by five mph can reduce fatalities by 10-30% and serious bicyclist injuries by 2-15%.
California Speed Limit Laws
There are four major speed laws in California:
- Basic Speed Law: California’s Basic Speed Law requires drivers to always travel at a speed that is safe for the current road and weather conditions, even if it means driving below the posted speed limit.
- Prima Facie Speed Law: California Vehicle Code 22352 establishes prima facie speed limits, which are the default speed limits that apply unless otherwise posted. These limits include 25 mph in residential areas and school zones.
- Maximum Speed Law: California law also establishes maximum speed limits. Vehicle Code Section 22349 states that the maximum speed limit on California highways is 65 mph for passenger vehicles and 55 mph for undivided highways unless otherwise posted. On some freeways, this limit can increase to 70 mph.
- Minimum Speed Law: Minimum speed limit laws are enforced to prevent drivers from going so slowly that they disrupt traffic flow and create a hazard. These limits are typically posted in areas where slower speeds could be dangerous.
Enacted in 2021, AB 43 grants cities increased authority to reduce speed limits on roads with high concentrations of pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable populations, including seniors and individuals with disabilities.
The law allows cities to forgo the commonly used rule of setting speed limits at the 85th percentile of the speed at which cars are observed traveling on a given road.
California Speed-Related Accident Statistics
Speeding is a major contributing factor in nearly one-third of all fatal crashes in the United States. From 2010 to 2020, there were 11,514 speeding-related fatalities in California.
When drivers speed, their reaction time reduces while their vehicle stopping distance increases. The risk of a single-vehicle or multi-vehicle collision greatly increases when drivers speed 10, 15, or 20 miles per hour over the speed limit.
While many people think speed-related accidents only occur on highways and freeways, they can also happen on city streets. Speeding down Harbor Boulevard, where pedestrians and bicyclists frequent, means pedestrian and bicycle accidents present a safety hazard. The areas around Disneyland, Angel Stadium, and the Honda Center are particularly dangerous for pedestrian-vehicle collisions.
Anaheim Accident and Injury Law Firm
At Katella Injury Attorneys, we understand how a car accident can change a life in an instant. If you or a loved one suffered an injury at the hands of another negligent driver, our attorneys are ready to fight for fair compensation and justice. Our Anaheim personal injury law firm is dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured victims of motor vehicle accidents due to negligence.
To speak to our Anaheim personal injury attorney, contact us today for a free case evaluation. We never ask for upfront legal fees until and unless we win your case.