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© 2021 The Somerville Times. All rights reserved.
By Joseph A. Curtatone
(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)
Soon you should see signs popping up around Somerville announcing that the citywide speed limit is 25 mph, unless otherwise posted. We are working to drop the speed limit from 30 to 25 on most roads for one simple reason: Because the data show that slowing down saves lives.
A growing body of research shows that, at the range of speeds people tend to drive in cities (about 20-40mph), for every mile slower you drive, you are less likely to cause severe injury or death should your car strike a pedestrian—or cyclist. For example, the data show that when struck by a vehicle going 40 mph, only one in ten pedestrians survive. Conversely, when struck by a car going just 20 mph, nine out of ten pedestrians survive.
In Somerville, currently more than 16,000 people—including school kids—commute by foot, and 12.5% of our commuters travel by bike. Meanwhile, our annual pedestrian and bike counts show the numbers of walkers and cyclists are increasing each year. So making our streets safer via lower speed limits is not just the right choice here, it’s a life-saving choice.
Slower speeds are safer for drivers as well. Slowing down not only decreases the likelihood of pedestrian fatality if a crash occurs, studies show that slower driving speeds can also lead to fewer crashes overall.
It’s true, not all drivers obey the speed limit. But lowering the speed limit does act as a catalyst for behavior change. In London, which has had numerous lower-speed zones for a couple of decades, an analysis of data found that average speeds dropped by 9 mph when they dropped the speed limit from 30 to 20 mph. Every driver was not necessarily going 20 mph, but on average they were going 9 mph slower than before, and as I noted above, every mile slower makes a difference.
The efforts around increasing safety by lowering speed limits here in Somerville have been going on for quite some time and a few people deserve recognition and thanks. Ward 3 Alderman Bob McWatters, who also serves on the Traffic Commission, proposed lowering the speed limit through a Home Rule Petition, which was approved by the Board of Aldermen and sent to the State legislature.
Before the legislature was able to take action on the Home Rule Petition however, Somerville’s own State Representative Denise Provost successfully added language to the Municipal Modernization Act granting all cities and towns the ability to decrease speed limits to 25 mph in thickly settled areas, and to designate specific safety zones with speed limits of 20 mph.
Thanks to the final passage of Municipal Modernization Act (which goes into effect November 7), we no longer need the Home Rule Petition to lower speed limits, but it was instrumental in helping us to make our case to the state that this is something cities and towns need. And thanks to our Board of Aldermen, we were quickly able to get a 25 mph plan locally approved.
As an additional measure of safety, we intend to make use of the 20 mph provisions in the act as well. Just as we already do in school zones, we’re aiming to establish 20 mph speed limit safety zones in vulnerable, pedestrian-centered areas. These include streets that pass by playgrounds, hospitals, parks, places of worship, and areas frequented by senior citizens (senior housing, assisted living facilities, and community centers that regularly host senior programming).
The data again makes a compelling case for this. AAA data shows that the likelihood of serious injury or death is increased for seniors hit by cars while walking. Researchers have found that London’s 20 mph zones also particularly protect children. A study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine showed that over 20 years, the 20 mph zones saw a 50 percent reduction in collisions with children (aged 1-15 years) that caused serious injuries or death—50 percent. We can’t ignore those numbers.
We also shouldn’t delay. We’re aiming to roll out these changes quickly. Just last week the Board of Aldermen voted to accept the state policy allowing the reduction of speed limits throughout the city. The next step is for it to go before the Traffic Commission on October 20. Assuming they pass the proposal, we’ll order new 25 mph signs swiftly, and continue our review for the 20 mph zones.
As the most densely populated city in New England, lowering speed limits is a crucial part of keeping all residents and visitors safe. But it is just that – a part of the bigger solution. We must also continue to invest in infrastructure improvements and a mobility plan that make it easier and safer for residents and visitors to get out and explore all that Somerville has to offer.
So while these changes are being rolled out, it’s important to keep in mind what we can each be doing in the meantime to keep our neighbors and ourselves safe. Obey all traffic laws – that includes pedestrians and bicyclists too. Use crosswalks, be mindful of bike lanes, and slow down in residential neighborhoods because lives depend on it.
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I support the lowering of speed limits in residential areas. Too often commuters try to dodge traffic on the major thoroughfares and end up clogging up our neighborhoods. This will help.
How does this work without enforcement?
It makes them feel good Matt. The law reads we are supposed to drive safely and use some common sense and drive according to the conditions. But in real life how often do we see anyone going the speed limit? The problem as I see it is aggressive driving here and it looks like it is on the rise and getting more out of control from what I can see. I don’t see people obeying signs as it is, changing them will most likely result in the same thing.
@A Moore. I agree, they can change the signs but that won’t significantly effect behavior. Changing the signs will just incur cost without any return in safety, driver or resident satisfaction.
Matt, i would presume the city will start enforcing these limits and raking in some speeding ticket revenue to complement the parking ticket funds. Sounds like a win-win to me, take the funds from motor violations and build bike lanes and green space.
Sorry. But people who don’t pay attention to a 30 MPH limit are not going to ay attention to 25 MPH. Sounds like another revenue generator masquerading as health and safety law.
Freebie, they don’t enforce the limits they have.
If people want to slow down speeds, put in strategic speed bumps
Why can’t it be both a revenue generator and a health and safety improvement? Seems like a win-win in that regard. If the fines generated pay for the new signage etc. then that’s less of a burden on property taxes.
I agree with many of you that without enforcement, those who regularly speed will continue to do so. I also think speed bumps would be one of the best solutions, since they would force drivers to slow down.
As always, money is the deciding factor in any improvements made to the city.
It continually amazes me how often we’re told that the budget isn’t enough to do something the city needs, but yet there’s always enough to give those in power raises every year.
Hospitals? We don’t have any hospitals thanks to Cambridge Health Alliance!
I’m all for lowering the speed limits for the safety of the community. The current speed limit of 30mph on most of the streets in Somerville is way too high for public safety.
But, what’s with these annoying flashing stop signs and speed limit signs that have recently been installed in the Kidder, Lowden and Bay State area. These are flashing 24/7 in a relatively quiet residential neighborhood. The residents of this neighborhoods have red and white lights flashing into their living rooms and bedrooms all night. Is this being done all over the city? These should be placed on major thoroughfares and not in the neighborhoods. The City needs to use better judgment on where they place these annoying signs.
AnnoyedResident: I agree.
I’m with you 110% on this one Joe. I seldom drive in excess of 22-25 mph on the main byways in the City. However, I cannot let this opportunity pass without once again suggesting that there be a comprehensive study to properly sequence-time the lights at the rangeway intersections. Doing this will, in addition to increasing pedestrian and bicycle safety, help in conditioning drivers to drive slower (traffic calming), will result in fewer stop-and-goes at red lights, and will ultimately save fuel and reduce our carbon footprint. This fact has been proven time and time again nationwide.
Further, I agree with “annoyed resident” above regarding the 24/7 flashing signs. They look like a Las Vegas casino and seem to be more of a distraction than anything else. The same goes for the stand-alone safety green reflective signs in the middle of the streets at crosswalks.
Keep it slow!
JAR
Heh, we had one of those flashing red stop signs installed by our house a couple of years ago after we asked for speed bumps. It was annoying for a few nights until we figured out how to adjust our curtains to keep it out.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t reduced the number of motorists who run the stop sign.
I agree completely that enforcement needs to be done, and no speed limit matters if it’s not enforced.
JAR, I also agree we need to re-time the traffic light sequences!
My only addition here is that the problem with speed bumps is that they are terrible for emergency vehicles and snow removal, or at least that’s what my street was told when we asked for speed bumps to deal with this problem in the past.
I support this. Kudos. Data driven – great. But I also don’t understand what roads in Somerville you can even drive 30MPH without blowing a tire or flipping off your bike aside from Somerville ave and a few select streets. The road conditions in the city are getting dire – for drivers AND bikers. You cannot be a bike friendly city if the majority of your roads are potholes. Powder House, Broadway, holland, Medford St, Washington st. Day St… What’s the plan? It’s taken 25 years to redo beacon st so I am not expecting much but a solid plan would be helpful. Any insight? Speed limits are just one piece of the problem.
Agree NR. Money is better spent on the roads in question. Sides of the road where bikes use are in worse shape than the one the motorists use. Plus we are supposed to drive the proper speed according to the conditions. I can’t remember the last time I saw anyone going the speed limit(or that slow).