A California law requires lower speed limits in school zones by 2031, and a Fresno councilmember is pushing for the city to become an early adopter.
Councilmember Nelson Esparza said that he will introduce legislation to establish 20 mph speed limits in Fresno school zones, which are currently 25 mph.
“There’s a feeling that every parent knows. It’s that moment when you watch your child step out the car or begin to cross the street, and you hope that every driver around them is paying attention. But hope is not a traffic safety strategy,” he said.
Esparza was joined at a Wednesday press conference by Fresno police Lt. Anthony Dewall and administrators from Fresno and Sanger school districts. Dewall said the city averages about eight crashes a year in and around school zones while kids are present.
Esparza said the timeline for the change is open-ended and dependent on the cost of swapping out signage.
“I’m proud to bring this resolution forward to ensure that Fresno is a statewide leader in school traffic safety,” Esparza said.
Assembly Bill 382 was passed last year and pushes for school zones throughout the state to lower speed limits to 20 mph in the next five years. The California Department of Motor Vehicles states that the speed limit is 25 mph within 500 feet of school sites when children are present, though some school zones may have speed limits of 15 mph.
“While five mph may not sound like much, on a street filled with children, it can be the difference between a close call and tragedy,” Esparza said.
This story was originally published February 25, 2026 at 3:13 PM.
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