Speed limit on Hwy. 25 bypass should help traffic flow
County and city leaders’ approvals of an increase to the Highway
25 bypass speed limit should make for a smoother traffic flow and
less frustration for motorists, but at the same time it’s important
for the fastest of drivers to temper their habits and keep the
thoroughfare safe.
Speed limit on Hwy. 25 bypass should help traffic flow
County and city leaders’ approvals of an increase to the Highway 25 bypass speed limit should make for a smoother traffic flow and less frustration for motorists, but at the same time it’s important for the fastest of drivers to temper their habits and keep the thoroughfare safe.
Leaders with the Council of San Benito County Governments, which oversaw the bypass planning and construction, saw the need to increase the arbitrary limit that has proven to be too slow. With natural traffic flow pushing most drivers past the legal limit of 35 mph, it only made sense to study if a more appropriate number would improve efficiency and keep speeds consistent.
Supervisors and council members this week closed the deal and officially approved the change, effective in four weeks.
This was a political no-brainer, considering the public is widely in favor of a higher limit. But leaders deserve credit for recognizing a problem, a frustrating one for local citizens, and fixing it.
The reality is, a vast majority of drivers have traveled 10 to 20 mph over the posted maximum, understandable considering the expressway-like feel of the 2.4-mile road through the city. COG’s study confirmed that and followed a traditional transportation model calling for a posted speed limit at the point where 80 percent of motorists drive, and the maximum will go to 45 mph on most of the bypass and 55 mph on a short stretch.
It’s hard to imagine the limit being higher than 45 mph on the main stretch due to the four stoplight intersections. Motorists already will have to be more conscientious of their driving because it’s inherently harder to stop a vehicle as residents will inevitably be faced with the split-second decision time and time again:Do I hit the gas or slam on the brakes?
It’s also important that residents understand this increase is not a license to continue driving so excessively above the posted limit. Law enforcement agencies have been lenient to this point while understanding the maximum was inappropriate from the beginning.
Be assured, that won’t continue once the change is made official.
