Temecula council moves to lower posted speeds on Margarita Road and other corridors; ordinance introduced 5–0

The Temecula City Council voted unanimously Feb. 10 to introduce an ordinance that would lower posted speed limits on several city streets following a staff engineering and traffic survey.

Principal traffic engineer Nick Minichilli presented the 2025 engineering and traffic survey prepared with Willdunn Engineering, explaining that the city uses the 80th-percentile prevailing-speed method and a review of collisions and roadway characteristics to set posted speeds. The presentation recommended a series of adjustments: posting Summers Bend at 30 mph, reducing multiple segments of Margarita Road from 45 to 40 mph for corridor consistency and safety, lowering two Temecula Parkway segments (Bedford Court to Pechanga Parkway from 50 to 45 mph and Butterfield Stage Road to the eastern city limit from 55 to 50 mph) and formalizing existing 30 mph signage where previously unenforceable.

Minichilli cited a higher crash rate on sections of Margarita Road, downhill grades, pedestrian crossings near Chaparral High School and proximity to elementary schools and a recreation center as reasons for the proposed reductions. He said the measured 80th-percentile speeds and geometric conditions made the lower limits legally defensible and operationally preferable for corridor consistency. Chief Mark Regali of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office told the council the sheriff’s office reviewed the proposal and supported lowering the speed limit on Margarita Road because of accident rates.

During public comment, Gary Oddy, founder of Bike Temecula Valley, urged the council to prioritize speed reductions and cited research he said shows a 5 mph reduction can reduce fatalities by 10–30 percent. Council members discussed complementary engineering (buffered or protected bike lanes) and stronger education and enforcement plans when changing posted speeds. Several council members suggested reader boards and a public information campaign and asked staff to coordinate with the sheriff’s office on initial warnings and enforcement.

The council approved a motion to introduce an ordinance amending section 10.28.010 of the Temecula Municipal Code regarding prima facie speed limits on certain streets; the motion passed 5–0. Council members and staff noted that separate, citywide school-zone reductions (such as adopting 20 mph school zones under recently enacted state law) could not be enacted as a single action that evening but would be brought back as a separate agenda item for council consideration.

What happens next: introduction of the ordinance means staff will prepare the formal ordinance language and associated materials for a future hearing and final action. The council directed staff to pursue public outreach and coordinated enforcement plans ahead of posting the new limits.