On Monday, Street Smarts looked at The CHP’s traffic enforcement efforts on Highway 129 at the request of reader Steve James of Watsonville.
Below is a question from Alissa Briggs, posted on the Sentinel’s website. Read on:
Q: I drive Highway 129 to work five times a week and would love to see the CHP out there
more!!! Thanks for making it safer throughout the years and keep up the good work!!! Maybe you should drop the speed limit more by the railroad underpass at Old Chittenden.
A: Speed Limits on State Route 129 between the City of Watsonville and the Santa Cruz County line are set in accordance with California state law,” said Susana Cruz, spokesperson for Caltrans, the transportation agency that would decide whether to raise or lower speed limits on our highways. “If Caltrans were to lower the speed limit on State Route 129, law enforcement officers would be unable to use radar or laser speed measurement devices for speed limit enforcement compliance. Enforcement is the primary effective tool for speed compliance.”
Lowering speed limits make it difficult for officers to crack down on lead-footed drivers because of the basic speed law and the 85th percentile. Learn more about speed laws and the 85th percentile through the following links:
- Basic Speed Law: http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc22350.htm
- Speed: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/speed_limits.htm
- 85th percentile: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/traffic/Realistic-Speed-Zoning.PDF
