Provides for lower speed limits on certain residential access streets.
Impact
This bill seeks to enhance traffic safety within residential neighborhoods by reducing speed limits, particularly in areas where slower speeds would be beneficial for pedestrians, including school children and residents. The implementation of these speed limits is intended to address safety concerns and reduce traffic-related incidents in residential areas, especially where children and vulnerable populations are present.
Summary
Assembly Bill A1860 aims to establish lower speed limits on certain residential access streets in New Jersey. Specifically, it proposes that the Commissioner of Transportation designate a speed limit of no more than 15 or 20 miles per hour for these streets, provided that the request comes from a community association or a majority of the residents, and the governing body approves the limit. The bill targets residential access streets—defined as low-order streets that primarily serve property access without functioning as through streets—in neighborhoods where a majority of the streets lack sidewalks.
Contention
While the bill has the potential to improve safety in communities, there may be opposition regarding the practicality and enforcement of such speed limits. Concerns could arise about the effectiveness of lowering speed limits in the absence of sidewalks, and whether it would sufficiently reduce traffic hazards. Additionally, the requirement for community approval could pose challenges in reaching a consensus among all residents, leading to debates on local governance and community standards.
Requires posted speed limit on certain limited access highways be based on speed at which 85 percent of vehicles are traveling; designated as Speed Limit Sanity Act.
Increases the fine for speeding, 1-10 mph in excess of posted speed limit in a residential or school zone, to $175 and increases the fine to $400 for speed in excess of 11 mph in a residential or school zone.
The amount of statutory fees, speed limitations on multilane highways, variable speed limits, alteration of maximum speed limits on state highways, speed zone reduction limitations, and city fines and penalties; to provide for a legislative management report; and to provide a penalty.
AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 39-06.1-06, 39-09-02, 39-09-04, and 39-09-07.1, and subsection 2 of section 40-05-06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the amount of statutory fees, speed limitations on multilane highways, variable speed limits, alteration of maximum speed limits on state highways, speed zone reduction limitations, and city fines and penalties; to provide for a legislative management report; and to provide a penalty.