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Four months after its proposal, the idea of reducing speed limits to 20 mph in Berkeley’s residential neighborhoods is now being reviewed by the city manager. The city manager’s assessment could pave the way for City Council to adopt some of the lowest residential speed limits in the state. 

Councilmember Kriss Worthington came up with the proposal in March that would reduce speeds from the current state-designated 25 mph to 20 mph in neighborhoods that are willing to adopt the change. The proposal would also lower speeds to 15 mph near schools. The state recommended speeds of 25 mph in school areas.The proposal comes amid a rising number of pedestrian-vehicle accidents in Berkeley. 

The city manager and the city’s Transportation Commission will decide which streets are best suited for lower speeds, the costs involved with lowering speed limits, and if there are any additional safety issues, Worthington said.  

Some neighbors have expressed enthusiasm about lower speed limits. 

“I'm eternally telling people to drive slower, and if we could make lower speed limits work, I think it would be great,” said Kary Sprague, a member of the McKinley, Addison, Allston, Grant Neighborhood Association. 

MAAGNA has not taken an official position on Worthington's idea, but the neighborhood association is focused on getting the city to slow traffic in their neighborhood. 

Critics of the speed limit reduction plan say that it will be too difficult to enforce, and that other traffic impediments such as barricades, narrow intersections and traffic circles are effective, and don’t require costly policing. 

Peter Hillier, assistant city manager for transportation, said that the city’s review could take six months. The earliest an assessment would be presented is September, when the City Council reconvenes after its recess, Hillier said.