Residents of rural San Benito County are pleased that
supervisors have lowered the speed limits on five roads, but they
also want the county to put up stop signs at two dangerous
intersections to protect children from the vehicles that speed down
the narrow agricultural roads.
Hollister – Residents of rural San Benito County are pleased that supervisors have lowered the speed limits on five roads, but they also want the county to put up stop signs at two dangerous intersections to protect children from the vehicles that speed down the narrow agricultural roads.
On Tuesday, supervisors voted to lower the speed limits on Bixby, Flint, Freitas, Lucy Brown and Mission Vineyard roads. Previously, there was no posted limit for the roads, which means they had a 55 mph speed limit. The new speeds, which will become effective in 30 days, are 50 mph for Lucy Brown and Freitas roads; 45 mph for Bixby and Mission Vineyard roads; and 35 mph for Flint Road.
Residents who live on the roads were pleased with the supervisors’ action Tuesday, but they said they want more done to slow traffic.
Cathy Alameda, who lives on Flint Road, told supervisors Tuesday that her children have nearly been hit by speeding cars as they waited at a school bus stop on Flint and Freitas roads. She asked supervisors to put up stop signs at that intersection and the intersection of Olympia and Lucy Brown roads.
“Is it going to take somebody getting hurt?” she asked.
Board Chairman Reb Monaco said that the Board of Supervisors understands her concern, but it is constrained by state law. According to Assistant Public Works Director Arman Nazemi, there must be at least five accidents per year at an intersection before it warrants a stop sign.
Freitas Road resident Niessa Bauder-Gurarcha, who also said that stop signs are needed at the intersections, gave the board an ominous prediction.
“Next time we come here … it will be to thank you for a dead child,” she said.
Supervisor Pat Loe asked if there was anything that could be done to slow traffic near the school bus stop. Susan Thompson, Chief Administrative Officer, said that she would have county staff investigate possible ways to slow or stop traffic near the bus stop.
Tuesday’s action was the second time in three months that supervisors lowered speed limits on rural roads. In June, the board voted to lower the speed limit on Anzar, Olympia and Duncan roads from 55 mph to 50.
Supervisor Anthony Botelho has suggested establishing a single speed limit for all rural roads.
“Myself, I still think we could go for 45,” he said.
But state traffic regulations dictate that speed limits can be set only 5 mph below the critical speed – defined as the speed at which 85 percent of the vehicles on a road travel.
Last month, the public works department conducted traffic surveys to determine the critical speed for the roads. Bixby was measured at 48 mph; Flint at 43; Lucy Brown at 50; Freitas at 50; and Mission Vineyard at 44.
Luke Roney covers politics and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at [email protected]
