Beginning in March 2014 the City of Berkeley will be installing 15 mph speed limit signs on the residential streets surrounding the schools shown in the list below. Installation will start in March 2014 from the preschools, and move on to the elementary schools. The installation will be performed one school at a time and is anticipated to be completed before the end of the school year.
In the way of background, in January 2008, California Assembly Bill AB 321 went into effect. This state law allows local governments to extend school zones to 1,000 feet and reduce speed limits within 500 feet of a school site to 15 mph on residential streets or two-lane roads, where speed limits are already 30 mph or less. On December 17, 2013, Berkeley City Council passed a resolution authorizing installation of 15 mph speed signs on residential streets around all elementary schools in Berkeley.
Parents should pay attention to the new signage and slow down to 15 mph when children are present around these locations. Berkeley Police Department will be enforcing the new speed law.
California Vehicle Code Section 22358.4 defines “when children are present” as “…while children are going to or leaving the school, either during school hours or during the noon recess period”.
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