Fresno has become the first city in California to lower speed limits around school sites ahead of the state’s 2031 deadline. As of Wednesday, every school zone in the city is now posted at 20 miles per hour.
In 2025, the State Legislature passed AB 382, which requires a 20 mph speed limit in school zones statewide beginning January 1, 2031. Until then, cities may adopt the lower speed limit early by ordinance or resolution.
In late February, City Council President Nelson Esparza introduced a resolution to expedite the mandate in Fresno. His proposal received unanimous support from the rest of the council.
“The difference between 25 miles per hour and 20 miles per hour may not sound like much,” said Esparza. “It costs a driver a few seconds, but to a child it can mean everything.”
The city has spent the past couple of months installing new signs to alert drivers to the change. To help enforce the new speed limit, Fresno is increasing the presence of traffic officers around school campuses. The project is estimated to cost about $400,000.
School districts and campuses have praised the city’s move.
“We support anything that improves safety around our schools, so we’re pleased to see speeds reduced from 25 to 20 miles per hour and are proud it’s being done proactively ahead of the state’s deadline,” said AJ Kato, spokesperson for Fresno Unified. His district recorded five accidents involving pedestrians near campuses last year.
“We look forward to see how lowering the speed limit impacts the greater safety of the city,” added Clovis Unified spokesperson Kelly Avants.
Read more at GV Wire.