The recent installation of radar signs along Grand Avenue during the middle of August located northwest and southeast of David A. Brown Middle School leaves one wondering just how much research went into preparing for this action by the City of Wildomar.
Approaching from the northwest.
Approaching from the southeast.
The previous speed limit on this stretch of Grand Avenue was 45 M.P.H. which was established after an engineering and traffic study was conducted. This study resulted in an 85 percentile speed of 50 M.P.H. which was lower by 5 M.P.H. as allowed by state law when doing so will result in a safer condition for that stretch of roadway.
The MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices), a document issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), has specified standards regarding signs
Section 2B.13 (excerpt) “A changeable message sign that changes the speed limit for traffic and ambient conditions may be installed provided that the appropriate speed limit is shown at the proper times.
“California MUTCD Page 2B-13 (FHWA’s MUTCD 2003 Revision 1, as amended for use in California)
Vehicle Speed Feedback Signs Option: A Vehicle Speed Feedback sign that displays to approaching drivers the speed at which they are traveling may be installed in conjunction with a Speed Limit (R2-1) sign.
Standard: If a Vehicle Speed Feedback sign displaying approach speeds is installed, the legend shall be YOUR SPEED XX. The numerals displaying the speed shall be white, yellow, yellow-green or amber color on black background. When activated, lights shall be steady-burn conforming to the provisions of CVC Sections 21466 and 21466.5. Vehicle Speed Feedback signs shall not alternatively be operated as variable speed limit signs.
Without the benefit of any engineering and traffic study as required by California MUTCD Section 2B.13 Speed Limit Sign (R2-1)
Standard:
01 Speed zones (other than statutory speed limits) shall only be established on the basis of an engineering study that has been performed in accordance with traffic engineering practices. The engineering study shall include an analysis of the current speed distribution of free-flowing vehicles.
Along with the required public hearing the City of Wildomar has without shame lowered the speed limit 24/7 on this approximately 1732 feet of roadway to 25 M.P.H.
To further enhance the confusion on this stretch of roadway maybe we should do as Ada, Oklahoma has done and install the Plastic PoPo
Located in Ada, Oklahoma. Another town without the funds to hire real police.
Ken, what do you mean “speed trap”? Has there been even a single ticket written in the area of the new signs? I thought you were the guy that just used facts and stayed away from the silly graphics like the ones you used here.
You use a lot of interesting factoids, but don’t actually make a point.
John – Speed trap in that 99% of drivers entering a school zone when children are not present will do the speed established by a proper engineering and traffic study on that stretch of roadway which is currently 45 M.P.H. (as posted before this stretch and after this stretch)
With what is posted currently anyone doing in excess of 25 M.P.H. at midnight is subject to be cited for speeding. Because they would be in excess of 20 M.P.H. over the posted limit this would result in a 4 point ticket on their record.
I drove by there and you are absolutely right. It’s telling you to go 25mph when 45 would be reasonable while school children were not present. That doesn’t make it a SPEED TRAP unless drivers are being issued traffic tickets. If there isn’t revenue being generated, using a term like “speed trap” is just a red herring. Unless you are suggesting that such patrols are being considered by the powers that be.
As for your final point, the authorities that would be writing the tickets would NOT issue a ticket to someone going 45mph at midnight in that area. They know the rules even if the city installers screwed up the programming.
John – the potential is present for law enforcement to issue a ticket, currently a low priority due to the lack of officers, so I will continue to call it a speed trap. No matter what its called the speed limit was change improperly, without the benefit of the required engineering and traffic surveys along with the public hearings, this is so typical of how things are done in this so called city.
Ken, I hate to chase my tail without some kind of reward attached to it. So if you need to call it a speed trap, then do so. Have you contacted the city, mentioned this issue, and confirmed that indeed they have lowered the limit? Or is this just that they didn’t program it correctly? Not programming it correctly would be bad enough, and should be pointed out, but that would not support your claims that the city has actually changed anything.