Drivers in Orange could be hitting the brakes on city streets as officials look to reduce speed limits by five to 10 miles per hour on some streets.
It comes after a state law gave local officials more control over speed limits a couple years ago – making it easier to adjust just how fast drivers are legally allowed to go.
Anaheim and Irvine – two of Orange County’s largest cities – have reduced speed limits in town.
Last week, Orange City Council members voted unanimously
Last week, Orange City Council members voted unanimously on the first reading of an ordinance aimed to reduce speed limits on 47 street segments in the city, including Katella Avenue, Taft Avenue and Main Street.
No city council member spoke on the issue at the Sept. 28 meeting.
The full list of streets with speed limit changes can be found in thestaff report.
Earlier this year, staff surveyed 186 streets to determine whether speeds should be changed.
Ultimately, staff proposed 46 streets with a 5 mile per hour speed reduction and one with a 10 mile per hour reduction. No streets had an increase.
Notably, several streets approaching the Orange Circle roundabout,
Notably, several streets approaching the Orange Circle roundabout, a notorious site for crashes in the city, will see speed reductions.
Extended portions of Glassell Street could be reduced from 35 to 30 miles per hour, and parts of Chapman reducing from 40 to 35, and 35 to 30 miles per hour closer to the intersection.
The portion of Esplanade Street between Fairhaven and La Veta avenues will see a 10 mile per hour reduction.
The ordinance will still need one more reading
The ordinance will still need one more reading and vote to be approved. Thirty days after the final vote, if approved, the new speed limits will be implemented, as long as signage has been updated by then.
Before state law was changed, speed limits were determined by tracking the speed that 85% of drivers are traveling at or below on a specific stretch of road, according to a staff presentation at the Sept. 22 meeting.
The bill allows cities more flexibility when choosing speed limits, like reducing speeds in accident-prone areas and pedestrian activity.
Some state statutes still apply for speeds though,
Some state statutes still apply for speeds though, like a 25 mile per hour limit for school and local zones and a 65 mile per hour limit on highways.
Since the Assembly Bill’s passing, other OC cities have reduced their speed limits on city streets.
In 2024, Anaheim reduced speed limits on 169 road segments by five to 15 miles per hour.
Some streets included Brookhurst Street, Lincoln Avenue, State College Boulevard and Katella Avenue.
Irvine also reduced speed limits earlier this year, with 56 roadways’ speeds being reduced by five to 10 miles per hour on 56 roadways, including Alton Parkway, Irvine Boulevard, Jamboree Road and Portola Parkway.
While Orange City Council members didn’t weigh
While Orange City Council members didn’t weigh in on the issue at their Tuesday meeting, Irvine Mayor Larry Agran hailed the state law changes at a January meeting this year.
“I think this enabling legislation at the state level, allowing us to reduce speed limits and make them stick, make them enforceable, I think this is a very favorable development.”
Michelle King is a Voice of OC reporting fellow. You can reach her at michelleking.news@gmail.com.
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