Oceanside hikes some speed limits

The Oceanside City Council agreed to raise speed limits on several locals roads, including some where residents say cars are already traveling too fast.

The council unanimously approved the changes Wednesday, saying it was the only way police could enforce the posted speeds.

State law requires cities to conduct road studies and then set speed limits based in part on how fast traffic is already moving. City engineers recommended adjusting or setting new speed limits on about 12 stretches of road.

Councilwoman Esther Sanchez said she had already heard from residents opposed to increasing speeds along College Boulevard, between Thunder and Roselle drives, from 40 to 45 mph. But she said that without properly established speed limits police would not be able to do their job.

“Look, we can continue to give people tickets but they are going to continue to be thrown out in court,” Sanchez said. “But if we do this, you will be able to get more of those speeders and those tickets will not be dismissed.”

The council approved the changes suggested by the city traffic engineers.

Late last year, city’s Planning Commission reviewed the proposed changes and voted 5-2 to back most of them. But the panel disagreed with some of the higher speeds and recommended lower limits.

The commission did not want to increase the speed limit from 25 mph to 30 mph on Airport Road between Mission Avenue and Roymar Road, and from 30 mph to 35 mph on Mission Avenue east of Interstate 5 to Canyon Drive. The panel also decided that the speed limit on a section of North River Road between North River Circle and Stallion Drive should be lowered to 35 mph instead of the staff recommended 40 mph. There have been deadly crashes near Stallion in recent years, including one in June.

The council declined to take the commission’s suggestions, saying those limits couldn’t be enforced.

The commission had also argued against increasing speeds near schools such as Mission Avenue just east of Oceanside High School, and North River Road near Del Rio Elementary School. Again, the council did not agree.

Traffic engineers made their recommendations after studying vehicle speed, traffic volume and reported crash histories on more than 30 roads. Nine were recommended for speed increases, three for decreases, one will have a new speed limit and no change was suggested for the others.

Councilman Jerry Kern said establishing proper speed limits would help enforcement.

“People are going to drive as fast as they want to drive but hopefully we can encourage them correctly now,” Kern said.