Street design is important because it’s a self-enforcing way to “calm” traffic and create safe streets for all mobility choices.

Why do people speed?

Think of it this way: People generally drive as fast as is comfortable given the roadway conditions. That’s why people go faster on wide, straight stretches and more slowly when navigating down a narrow alley, where they may need to avoid obstacles like trash bins and parked cars that may jut out into the lane.

Likewise, a narrower lane makes drivers slow down, even if it’s just a painted stripe. In neighborhoods, tools such as speed “cushions,” traffic circles and curb extensions all serve to tell the driver they need to pay closer attention to the road and share it with others who may be walking or biking. Meanwhile, tools such as restriping bike lanes to be green or creating high visibility crosswalks serve to make drivers more aware of other people using the road, while not necessarily slowing them down.

Street design solutions

Help for speeding in neighborhoods

Why speeding matters

It’s important that Carlsbad takes a leadership role in slowing down traffic because the data show most speed related fatalities happen on local roads.

Here is what the data says about speeding in Carlsbad

Slowing down also has a dramatic effect on the severity of injuries caused during a collisions.

See national data about speeding.