A Bird Rock resident has launched a petition drive to reduce the speed limit on a reportedly dangerous stretch of La Jolla Boulevard.
“The speed limit on La Jolla Boulevard between Pacific Beach and Bird Rock is too high at 35 mph,” states a petition at Petition · Safer Speed Limit on La Jolla Boulevard · Change.org, initiated by a neighborhood group named Respect Bird Rock. “This includes the well-trafficked but dangerous crossing at the world-famous Tourmaline Surf Park destination.”
The online petition notes that 35 mph is a higher speed than all the other commercial/residential streets that connect with La Jolla Boulevard. “So drivers are encouraged to dangerously speed up,” states the petition, which calls for reducing the speed limit adding, “This stretch of La Jolla Boulevard between Loring Street and Colima Street is entirely residential, with only one commercial business that actually has an entrance on Turquoise Street.”
The online petition notes that “lower speed limits save lives and prevent injuries.” The petition also points out that speed limits on similar thoroughfares in the area are all below 35 mph.
Speed limits are 30 mph on Mission Boulevard, 25 mph on Turquoise Street, 20 and 25 mph, respectively, on Loring Street; and the speed limit at the La Jolla Boulevard/Colima Street roundabout is only 15 mph, with no transition from 35 mph.
Harry Bubbins, spokesperson for Respect Bird Rock, said starting an effort to lower the speed limit on the boulevard was virtually a no-brainer.
“Anyone who lives here or passes through to shop or goes to the beaches knows how dangerous this stretch of La Jolla Boulevard can be,” said Bubbins. “The speed limit incongruously increases from every other road. Whether walking, biking, on a scooter or driving – the speed limit is too high.”
Bubbins argues that the first thing drivers (whether heading north or south) see on this harrowing stretch is the 35 mph speed limit sign which he claims, “encourages them to drive faster than they were. Drivers speed through the turns and often do not see pedestrians or drift into the bike lane. For long stretches, there are no stop signs or traffic lights or speed bumps.”
Cars backing out of angled parking, where you expect slower speed limits, cannot see any cars going even faster than 35 mph to make-or blow through-the one traffic light at Sea Ridge, said Bubbins. He pointed out, “Families with strollers and carts and seniors have to scramble across the street to make sure they are not plowed down.”
Bird Rock’s concern about speed on La Jolla Boulevard is reflected in the fact that “our online petition has garnered the target of 100 supporters in a short time showing how this issue resonates with San Diegans,” said Bubbins. He added: “Our goal is to have a safer La Jolla Boulevard. That starts with lowering the speed limit, which the City has the power to do.”
Bubbins said a recent presentation by Respect Bird Rock to the Bird Rock Community Council was favorably received.
Other La Jolla community advisory groups have also expressed interest in listening to arguments for lowering the speed limit on La Jolla Boulevard.
“The La Jolla Community Planning Association has an ad hoc Visioning Committee that is preparing a community-wide Streetscape Enhancement Plan,” said the advisory group’s chair, Diane Kane. “The LJCPA invites Mr. Bubbins to work with the Visioning Committee and Traffic & Transportation Committee to identify appropriate traffic-calming measures on La Jolla Boulevard as part of a coordinated plan that effectively lowers speeds. Posted lower speeds without traffic calming and/or enforcement is known to have limited success.”
Brian Earley, chair of the La Jolla Traffic and Transportation Board, said he is in the process of working with City traffic engineering on “the best possible options for that section of La Jolla Boulevard as it approaches the traffic circles in Bird Rock.”
Earley said Bubbins has been invited to discuss his effort to lower the speed limit and his petition at the 4 p.m. Sept. 21 meeting of the La Jolla Traffic and Transportation Board, which will be at La Jolla Rec Center, 615 Prospect St. “Our goal in doing so would be to initiate a conversation about traffic-calming measures for that portion of La Jolla Boulevard as well as the community-wide Streetscape Enhancement Plan,” said Earley.
Earley added he has also made a detailed request to City traffic engineers Gary Pence and Thomas Landry about these speed-lowering efforts, and also about AB43, state legislation approved last year, which he noted “can reduce speed limits in 5 mph increments without using the traditional averaging method of driver’s speed. I have also invited traffic engineering to speak to this and how it can be implemented in various locations through La Jolla.”
