Speed limits lowered on major Tucson roads for safer streets | News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – Drivers in Tucson will notice changes in speed limits on several major roads following a decision by the Tucson City Council.

It’s all apart of a broader initiative to enhance road safety in the city.

At a recent Tucson City Council meeting, an ordinance was passed to lower speed limits on various city streets. These include Bilby Road, Calle Santa Cruz, First Avenue, Fort Lowell Road, Roger Road, Shannon Road, Silverbell Road, Sixth Avenue, and Tucson Boulevard.

“For every one mile per hour faster a vehicle is going, the chance of a pedestrian surviving a crash drops dramatically,” said Sam Credio, Director of Transportation and Mobility for the City of Tucson.

City transportation officials highlight that traffic studies demonstrate the necessity of lower speed limits to improve safety and traffic flow.

However, not everyone supports the changes. Kevin Dahl, Ward 3 Council Member, voiced concerns from a local business owner.

“He believes lowering the speed limits will push drivers to alternate routes, which could hurt local business. He also noted that many accidents happen at intersections, not mid-block and that red-light running is a major issue,” said Dahl.

Despite these concerns, Credio stressed that data backs the changes.

“In response to the concerns, we reviewed the crash data for the corridors. While some crashes do occur at intersections, about a third happen in between, along the road itself,” Credio said.

The cost of updating the speed limit signs will be covered by the Department of Transportation and Mobility’s operating budget.