FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) \u2014\u00a0The Fresno City Council has voted unanimously to move forward with lowering speed limits in school zones from 25 miles per hour to 20, positioning the city as an early adopter of a new statewide mandate.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do have a motion. We have a second. Any opposed? \u2026 Seeing none. That item passes 7 to 0,\u201d councilmember Nelson Esparza said during Thursday\u2019s meeting.<\/p>\n
The speed reduction aligns with Assembly Bill 382, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law last October. The statewide requirement is not scheduled to take effect until January 2031.<\/p>\n
Esparza said the change is overdue for Fresno schools.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t have the exact data, but there have certainly been collisions between vehicles and our students in these school zones, and it\u2019s tragic,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Esparza added that he has witnessed the problem firsthand.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a complaint I have myself as someone who drops off their child at one of our local elementary schools,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Fresno Unified School District expressed support for the city\u2019s action.<\/p>\n
In a statement to Action News, the district said, \u201cWe welcome any changes or improvements which would mean our students and parents will be safer when walking, riding their bikes and driving to and from school.\u201d<\/p>\n
Implementing the new speed limits will require replacing existing signage across the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a total of 149 schools throughout the city. It\u2019s a big effort,\u201d Fresno Public Works director Scott Mozier told the councilmembers.<\/p>\n
The estimated cost for the project is between $400,000 and $500,000.<\/p>\n
For many students, the safety concerns are familiar. Edgar Torres, a Jefferson Elementary alumnus, recalled narrowly avoiding cars near campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou had to really watch out because if not, you could be run over,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Councilmember Tyler Maxwell shared a similar experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey even had me go out to Erickson Elementary. It is pretty scary out there. I almost got hit by a car,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Esparza said he hopes the new signs will be installed in time for the start of the next academic year in August.<\/p>\n
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