TUCSON, AZ — Drivers on some of Tucson’s busiest roads will soon need to slow down after the City Council voted unanimously to reduce speed limits across several major corridors citywide.
The changes follow traffic assessments conducted by the city’s Department of Transportation and Mobility, which reviewed existing speed limits, surrounding land uses and roadway conditions before recommending the reductions.
City officials said the goal is to improve public safety and reduce traffic crashes.
Ahead of the vote, Ward 6 Council Member Miranda Schubert spoke about the growing toll traffic violence has taken on the Tucson community.
"Pedestrian deaths are up nearly 300% for this year compared to the same time in 2025," Schubert said, noting that her reports are based only on fatalities she has been able to locate and do not capture the full scope of the problem.
Schubert and Council Member Selina Barajas also pointed to a recent fatal crash to underscore the urgency behind the changes.
Three-year-old Anna Garcia was killed in a collision near South Country Club Road and East Valencia Road on April 10.
Sixteen-year-old Oscar Ramirez and 22-year-old Christian Isaiah Randall were arrested in connection with the crash and face charges including second-degree murder, endangerment and aggravated assault. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Police said the suspects were driving separate vehicles at speeds approaching 90 mph before the collision, with excessive speed identified as the “primary contributing factor.”
Authorities have not said whether the crash involved organized street racing.
“This only happens when vehicles are going at very high speeds,” Schubert said. “As Council Member Barajas said, we need to take action here on the council to prevent these deaths from occurring.”
The reductions affect roads across multiple parts of the city.
Among the most significant changes:
Other affected corridors include Anklam Road, Houghton Road, Limberlost Drive, Pima Street, Roger Road, Romero Road and Old Spanish Trail.
Most reductions range from 5 to 10 mph depending on the segment.
New speed limit signs will be fabricated and installed using existing city contract resources, with costs covered through the department’s operating budget.
The changes also align with the city’s broader Plan Tucson goals aimed at reducing crashes and improving safety for people walking, biking and driving throughout the city.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Tucson, AZ Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.