Key Takeaways
New 15 MPH Speed Limits Around Schools
The Los Angeles City Council has approved a plan to implement 15 MPH speed limits on 343 streets surrounding 201 schools.
This reduction from the typical 25 MPH is aimed at improving safety during school arrival and departure times.
Enhanced Child Pedestrian Safety
The initiative is part of the city’s efforts to reduce child pedestrian accidents by slowing down traffic near schools.
Implementation Details
The reduced speed limits will be enforced during times when children are arriving at or leaving school.
New signage indicating the 15 MPH limit will be installed in the designated areas.
Legal Support for Affected Families
The blog discusses the concept of a “minor’s compromise,” a legal tool that assists families in recovering damages when a child is injured.
RMD Law offers expertise in handling such cases, providing support to families navigating the legal process.
15 MPH School Zones
Los Angeles is taking a bold step to protect children on their way to and from school. In a recent move, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a plan to post 15 MPH speed limits on 343 streets surrounding 201 school zones. This initiative will add new “School Slow Zone” signs on hundreds of street segments near schools, lowering the speed limit by 10 mph from the usual 25 mph in school areas. The reduced limit applies when children are arriving or leaving campus, aiming to force drivers to hit the brakes in the name of student safety and protect pedestrians.
City officials and safety advocates hope that slowing traffic near schools will lead to fewer tragic child pedestrian accidents – but will this measure truly make a difference? In this post, we’ll explore why Los Angeles is implementing these changes, the potential benefits and drawbacks, the costs involved, and whether evidence shows that lower speeds can prevent injuries. We’ll also look at examples from other cities and explain an important legal tool, the minor’s compromise, which helps families recover damages when a child is injured – something our team at RMD Law handles as experienced Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyers.
The Importance of Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian safety is a critical concern in Los Angeles, where pedestrian accidents occur frequently. According to pedestrian accident statistics, California is one of the states with the highest number of pedestrian fatalities. This alarming trend underscores the importance of understanding the causes and consequences of pedestrian accidents and the necessity of seeking compensation with the help of an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer.
Injured pedestrians may be entitled to fair compensation for various damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Navigating the aftermath of a pedestrian accident can be overwhelming, but a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles can provide essential support. They can assist injured pedestrians in recovering damages for physical injuries, emotional hardship, and personal property, ensuring that victims receive the justice they deserve.
Why Los Angeles Lowered Speed Limits Near Schools
City leaders were driven to act by alarming data and heartbreaking incidents. Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for children ages 2 to 14 in Los Angeles. Nearly 56% of all fatal and injury traffic crashes in the city occur within a quarter-mile of a school. Children walking to school are especially vulnerable – their small size makes them harder for drivers to see. Plus, they lack the judgment and reflexes of adults.
Tragically, Los Angeles has seen devastating crashes involving young students. In one case that sparked serious action, a driver struck a mother and her child in a crosswalk during a school drop-off, killing the mother and severely injuring the child. This incident highlights the severe dangers faced by pedestrian accident victims, emphasizing the need for protective measures.
Faced with these facts, the City Council and Mayor recognized the need for stronger safety measures around schools. The Department of Transportation (LADOT), through its Safe Routes to School program, had already identified dozens of “high priority” schools for interventions. Back in 2016, Los Angeles piloted 15 mph zones at 11 schools, and by 2023 the program had expanded to 44 schools.
After recent funding boosts, the City is now installing 15 mph speed limit signs at 201 additional schools – bringing the total to over 240 schools citywide. By forcing drivers to slow down to 15 mph near schools, officials hope to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes involving students.
Pros of 15 MPH School Zones
Lowering speed limits around schools offers several clear safety benefits:
Drastically Reduced Injury Severity
Slower speeds mean any collision is far less likely to be fatal. According to the Federal Highway Administration, a pedestrian has about a 90% chance of surviving if hit by a vehicle traveling 20 mph or slower, but less than a 50% chance of surviving at 30 mph. In fact, experts say that even a small increase in impact speed “can really ramp up the danger to a pedestrian,” leading to more severe common injuries such as those to the head, neck, face, and upper extremities. Cutting vehicle speeds to 15 mph in school zones could greatly reduce the risk of children suffering severe or fatal injuries if a crash occurs.
More Time to React and Stop
At 15 mph, a driver travels roughly 22 feet per second, about half the distance they would cover at 30 mph. This gives drivers much more time and space to see a child who might dart into the road and to brake in time. The shorter stopping distance at lower speeds makes it more likely a driver can avoid a collision entirely. In school areas where children may cross unexpectedly, every extra split-second of reaction time counts.
Safer Environment for Walking and Biking
Slower traffic creates a calmer environment that can encourage more families to walk or bike to school. Parents and children feel safer on the streets when cars are moving at cautious speeds. This can have a positive feedback loop – more pedestrians out and about can make drivers even more attentive and drive home the expectation that school zones are strictly slow-speed, high-care areas.
Alignment with Vision Zero Goals
Los Angeles has adopted a Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic fatalities. School slow zones support this by protecting society’s most vulnerable road users – kids. Many European cities set speed limits of 30 km/h (about 19 mph) or lower in school and residential areas, contributing to significantly safer roads. Bringing LA’s school zones in line with international best practices is a proactive step toward reducing injuries.
Potential Cons and Challenges
While 15 mph school zones have clear upside, there are also challenges and criticisms to consider:
Enforcement Difficulties
Simply posting a lower speed limit sign doesn’t guarantee drivers will comply. Without robust enforcement or physical traffic-calming measures (like speed humps), many drivers may continue to speed through school zones out of habit. One safety advocate commended LA’s plan as setting the right speed, but cautioned that it’s just a “good gesture” if not accompanied by stepped-up enforcement efforts.
Ensuring drivers truly slow to 15 mph may require increased police presence or automated speed cameras, which are not yet widely authorized in California. Additionally, dealing with an insurance company can be challenging, as they often deny liability and minimize payouts, making enforcement even more critical.
Driver Compliance and Awareness
Another challenge is making sure drivers notice and respect the new speed limit, which is significantly lower than they’re used to. The 15 mph limit only applies during school arrival and dismissal times (when children are present), which could cause confusion. Some drivers might ignore the signs, especially if they don’t see children immediately nearby. Public education and clear signage (“When Children Are Present” placards, flashing beacons at school hours, etc.) are needed so that the rules are understood and followed.
Traffic Congestion or Driver Frustration
Critics might argue that dropping to 15 mph could back up traffic on surrounding streets, especially during busy morning drop-off. Drivers unaccustomed to crawling at 15 mph might become impatient, leading to risky behavior like abrupt lane changes. However, since these zones are usually limited to the immediate school frontage and only at certain times, any congestion should be brief and localized. The safety trade-off is generally considered worth it, but officials may need to monitor for unintended effects on traffic flow.
Limited Impact Without Other Measures
Lower speed limits alone may not solve all dangers. Factors like distracted driving, lack of crosswalks, or poor visibility can still cause accidents. Ideally, the 15 mph zones should be part of a comprehensive approach – including improved crosswalk markings, crossing guards, speed humps, and education for both drivers and students. If other safety measures aren’t in place (due to budget or logistics), the full benefit of slower speeds might not be realized. A holistic strategy is needed to maximize child pedestrian safety.
In short, a 15 MPH sign is not a magic shield – it helps significantly, but its success will depend on driver behavior and effective enforcement. Los Angeles officials will have to pair the new speed limits with continued investment in safe infrastructure and possibly explore automated speed enforcement in school zones to truly crack down on violators.
Cost of Implementing the 15 MPH School Zones
Implementing the new 15 MPH school slow zones involves a relatively modest cost of about $750,000 allocated by the City to install signage and markings around 201 additional schools. This budget covers hundreds of speed limit signs and “School Zone – 15 MPH” placards, with installation expected within 6 to 10 weeks. Compared to pricier traffic calming measures like speed humps, this approach is cost-effective, especially given budget constraints that limit physical installations.
Enforcement costs, handled by LAPD through existing patrols or overtime, are ongoing but not separately budgeted. Additionally, over 500 crossing guards have been deployed citywide to complement these safety efforts. Overall, the signage expense is small compared to the potential medical and societal costs of child pedestrian injuries, making the slow zones a low-cost, high-impact safety measure.
Causes and Consequences of Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can be caused by various factors, including distracted driving, aggressive drivers, and driver negligence. In California, these accidents often result in serious injuries, including fatal injuries. The consequences of pedestrian accidents can be devastating, with injured pedestrians facing significant medical bills, lost income, and emotional distress.
Pedestrian accident attorneys in Los Angeles play a crucial role in helping victims navigate the complex process of filing a pedestrian accident claim and seeking compensation from insurance companies. Understanding traffic rules and regulations, such as the right of way and stop signs, is essential in determining fault and proving negligence in pedestrian accident cases. By working with experienced pedestrian accident lawyers, victims can ensure that their rights are protected and that they receive the compensation they need to recover from their injuries.
How Slower Speeds Can Prevent Pedestrian Accidents
Lower vehicle speeds are proven to reduce both the likelihood of crashes and the severity of injuries when crashes do occur. This is grounded in simple physics and ample research:
Shorter Stopping Distances
A car traveling at 15-20 mph can stop in a much shorter distance than one traveling at 30+ mph. If a child runs into the street, a driver going slower has a greater chance to brake in time or substantially reduce the impact speed. For instance, at 30 mph a car needs roughly twice the distance to halt compared to 15 mph.
In a school zone scenario, that difference could mean the car comes to a complete stop before hitting a child, versus striking the child at full speed. Slower speeds essentially buy time – time for drivers to perceive a hazard and time for the vehicle to come to a stop, potentially preventing a pedestrian collision.
Greater Field of Vision
Drivers moving at lower speeds have a wider field of vision and can notice peripheral hazards more easily. At higher speeds, a driver’s field of view narrows, a phenomenon sometimes called “tunnel vision”, making it easier to miss a child stepping off the curb. By slowing down, drivers are more attuned to their surroundings and better able to spot children between parked cars or approaching crosswalks.
Dramatically Lower Fatality Risk
The human body has far better odds of surviving being hit by a slower-moving object. We’ve already noted the sharp drop in survival rates as speed increases. Another way to look at it: pedestrians struck at 20 mph have only about a 1% chance of dying, whereas at 35 mph the fatality risk jumps to about 19%. At 50 mph, the risk of death is over 80%.
The relationship between speed and injury is nonlinear – going from 20 to 40 mph isn’t twice as dangerous, it’s exponentially more dangerous. By capping speeds at 15 mph in school zones, Los Angeles is pushing the crash forces down to a level where children are far more likely to survive if the unthinkable happens. As one safety official put it, in a collision at 20-30 mph, a child’s chance of survival is dramatically higher than at typical urban speeds.
Avoiding Collisions Altogether
Studies have found that even without heavy enforcement, lowering speed limits can lead drivers to slow down a bit, which in turn leads to fewer crashes. A recent analysis by NYC’s Department of Transportation found that in areas with reduced speed zones, there was a measurable 10-15% decrease in average speeds and a corresponding reduction in crashes with injuries.
When speeds are kept low, near-misses might stay as near-misses rather than turning into actual collisions. Especially in chaotic school pickup/drop-off environments, shaving off a few mph from every car’s speed can translate into many pedestrian accidents avoided over time.
Speed truly kills when it comes to pedestrian accidents – and in opposition, slower speeds save lives. A child struck by a car at 15 mph might get away with scrapes or a broken bone; at 30 mph or more, the outcome could be catastrophic. By slowing drivers down, Los Angeles is stacking the odds in favor of children making it to school and back home safely.
Examples of Lower Speed Zones Improving Child Safety
Southern California, including Los Angeles, is not alone in turning to lower speed limits as a safety strategy. Other cities and countries have implemented similar measures – and the results are encouraging, especially for children’s safety:
United Kingdom (20 MPH Zones): Since the 1990s, many UK cities have implemented 20 mph zones in residential and school areas, often with traffic calming and strict enforcement. Studies show these zones led to a 60% drop in total injury collisions and a 67% reduction in child injuries. London reported a 50% decrease in serious and fatal child injuries in these zones.
New York City: After lowering its default speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph in 2014 as part of Vision Zero, NYC saw a 22% drop in traffic deaths and a 25% reduction in pedestrian fatalities. Neighborhood Slow Zones with 20 mph limits and speed humps saw a 14% decrease in injury crashes and a 31% drop in motor vehicle occupant injuries, benefiting pedestrians as well.
Spain (30 km/h Urban Speed Limit): Spain’s 2021 national policy setting 30 km/h (about 19 mph) as the urban default speed limit resulted in about 20% fewer urban traffic fatalities and a 24% decrease in pedestrian deaths.
Wales (20 MPH Default in Residential Areas): In September 2023, Wales adopted 20 mph as the default speed limit in residential areas, aiming to reduce child pedestrian and cyclist casualties by up to 67% based on research predictions.
These examples from abroad and other U.S. cities provide real-world evidence that lowering speed limits near pedestrians works. Slower speed zones have consistently been associated with fewer crashes and especially fewer serious injuries and deaths. Children, in particular, have benefitted – whether through the 50% drop in child injuries in London’s 20 mph zones, or the prevention of countless potential tragedies in New York’s school zones.
While each city’s context is different, the common thread is clear: when drivers slow down, communities save lives. Los Angeles is following in the footsteps of these safety success stories, and if properly implemented, the 15 MPH school zones could similarly improve outcomes for children here.
Legal Considerations: Minor’s Compromise in Child Injury Cases
Even with these safety measures, accidents can still happen. When a child is injured in a pedestrian accident, the legal process involves some special protections. One important concept is a “minor’s compromise.”
In California, minors (under 18) cannot sign a legal settlement or release on their own – any settlement on behalf of an injured child must be approved by a court before it becomes final. This court approval process is called a compromise of a minor’s claim (or minor’s compromise).
Essentially, a parent or guardian will petition the court to approve the settlement, and a judge ensures that the amount and terms are in the child’s best interest. The funds are often placed into a blocked trust or account that the child can access when they turn 18, or used in another way the court deems appropriate for the child’s benefit.
Proving Negligence in Accident Claims
Proving clear negligence is critical in pedestrian accident claims. To establish negligence, victims must demonstrate that the driver breached their duty of care, causing the accident and resulting injuries. A pedestrian accident lawyer in Los Angeles can help victims gather essential evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and medical records, to support their claim.
Understanding the concept of negligence and how to prove it in pedestrian accident cases is vital for seeking fair compensation for injuries. In California, pedestrian accident victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A knowledgeable pedestrian accident lawyer can guide victims through the complex process of seeking compensation, ensuring that they receive the financial recovery they deserve. By proving negligence, victims can hold the responsible parties accountable and secure the resources needed for their recovery.
How a Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help
Los Angeles’s decision to impose 15 MPH speed limits near schools is a serious, research-backed effort to curb the epidemic of child pedestrian injuries. Consulting a knowledgeable Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer can ensure you understand your rights and can secure the resources needed for your child’s recovery. Slower speed zones have been effective elsewhere, and the statistics paint a hopeful picture that this initiative will reduce child pedestrian accidents in our city. Drivers may need to adjust their habits, but the inconvenience is minor compared to the life-saving potential.
Ultimately, our community must prioritize children’s safety over drivers’ speed. As this policy rolls out, we’ll see if the numbers of crashes and injuries go down around schools – and we certainly hope they do. In the meantime, if the unthinkable happens and a child you love is hurt by a negligent driver, know that there are legal avenues to help your family. Consulting a knowledgeable California pedestrian accident attorney can ensure you understand your rights and can secure the resources needed for your child’s recovery.
Filing a pedestrian accident lawsuit can be daunting, but RMD Law is a dedicated law firm that will provide the necessary support you need. Whether it’s a car accident or a wrongful death case, legal expertise is essential. An injured pedestrian deserves to understand their rights and pursue financial compensation. Each pedestrian accident case is unique, and having the right legal guidance can make all the difference.
Call us at (949) 828-0015 or contact us online for a free consultation. RMD Law is here to assist families in those difficult times, while we all look forward to safer streets and a future where children can walk to school without fear.
