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Ross Council adopts 15 mph school-zone speed limits near Ross and Branson schools
Summary
By unanimous vote, the council adopted Resolution 2434 to reduce speed limits from 25 to 15 mph during school hours within 500 feet of Ross School and Branson School, citing safety research and AB 321 authority; staff will post signage and coordinate enforcement and education.
Ross — The Town Council voted 5-0 Tuesday to adopt Resolution 2434, establishing 15-mph speed limits during school hours on two stretches of two-lane streets within 500 feet of Ross School and Branson School.
Staff told the council that AB 321 authorizes municipalities to reduce speed limits in defined school zones and that prior studies have shown a substantially higher chance of survivability for pedestrians struck at speeds below 20 mph. "My proposal is that we reduce the speed limits from 25 miles an hour to 15 miles an hour during school hours," the chief of police (presenting the staff report) said, adding that school hours would typically run from roughly 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Staff described how the 500-foot measurement was applied from each school driveway/front door to define the zone on the two-lane streets. Council members asked about sign wording and enforcement; staff said signage language is set by statute, that they would work with public-works on sign placement, and that the police department will run an education campaign at first before escalating enforcement.
Town officials said they had received supportive emails from school leadership: Chris Mazzulla, Branson head of school, and David Rice, Ross School superintendent, both expressed support in messages forwarded to the council.
The council voted to adopt the resolution unanimously. Staff will install signage, run the education campaign, and coordinate enforcement as appropriate.
