Supervisor Mar asks analysts to study lowering speed limits as part of Vision Zero work

Supervisor Eric Mar told colleagues he is introducing a resolution asking the budget and legislative analysts to study the impacts of lowering urban speed limits as part of San Francisco’s Vision Zero efforts.

“We're looking at Paris, Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s efforts to reduce speed limits,” Mar said in explaining the rationale. He cited international and domestic examples in the meeting record: pilot 20 mph zones in Paris, speed-limit adjustments in New York City as part of Vision Zero, and studies in Switzerland and the U.K. that the sponsor said showed reductions in accidents and monetary savings tied to slower urban speeds. Mar asked analysts to consider four core questions: lessons from other jurisdictions, lives saved and injuries prevented with 5–10 mph speed reductions, financial and environmental savings, and related implementation options.

Mar framed the study as part of achieving the city’s Vision Zero aim of eliminating traffic deaths: “The successful implementation of Vision 0 set a standard for San Francisco to have no fatalities on our streets,” he said in the record. The item was introduced for staff study; no final board vote on a change to speed limits was taken at the June meeting.

The sponsor requested analysis of safety outcomes, fiscal implications and environmental effects of reduced street speeds and asked the budget and legislative analysts to report back to the board.