Some Claremont Roads May See Speed Limit Increase

Speed limits on portions of several city streets could change following a recent speed analysis being reviewed by Claremont staff on Oct. 9.

The Claremont City Council will be reviewing the survey results during its regular meeting. According to the analysis, required by the California Vehicle Code, the speed limit on 10 residential streets can be raised. An additional 12 streets surveyed can remain at their current speed limit.

Council members will consider raising the speed limits on the following streets.

• American Avenue between Indian Hill Boulevard and Mills Avenue. Current speed: 25 mph. New speed: 30 mph
• College Avenue between Arrow Highway and First Street. Current speed: 25 mph. New speed: 30 mph
• Mountain Avenue between San Jose Avenue and Arrow Highway. Current speed: 25 mph. New speed: 30 mph
• Mountain Avenue between Base Line Road and Thompson Creek. Current speed: 30 mph. New speed: 35 mph
• Mt. Baldy Road between Padua and East City Limit. Current speed: 45 mph. New Speed: 50 mph
• Pomello Drive between Mills Avenue and Padua Avenue. Current speed: 30 mph. New speed: 35 mph
• Radcliffe Drive between Indian Hill and Mills Avenue. Current speed: 25 mph. New Speed: 30 mph
• San Jose Avenue between College Avenue and Mills Avenue. Current speed: 25 mph. New speed: 30 mph
• Scripps Drive between Indian Hill Boulevard and Mountain Avenue. Current speed: 25 mph. New speed: 30 mph
• Scripps Drive between Mountain Avenue and Towne Avenue. Current speed: 25 mph. New speed: 30 mph

All cities are required by the California Vehicle Code to conduct a traffic and engineering survey every seven years. The surveys establish proper speeds and allow the use of radar speed enforcement on local streets.

Without a valid survey to justify a posted speed limit, the Claremont Police cannot effectively cite speeders on these streets because drivers can claim "speed trap" and a citation may not be held up in court.

“The 10 streets proposed for the speed increases have all been evaluated in detail to determine if any conditions or alternatives exist to allow for the retention of the current speeds,” officials wrote in a news release. “Based on staff's research there are no alternatives by which to prevent the increased speed limits.”

The Traffic and Transportation Commission discussed the item at its June 28 meeting and voted unanimously to support the increased speed limits. The City Council will accept public comment this item on Oct. 9.