California Assembly Bill 43 (AB 43) is new legislation which gives cities throughout the state more control over deciding how speed limits should be set and whether they should be reduced on certain roads and highways.

By utilizing the 85% rule, speed limits were set according to periodic surveys of drivers’ behaviors. Every few years, a California Department of Transportation representative would monitor how fast vehicles were traveling along a given street. The legal speed limit for said street would then be determined at the 85th percentile.

With AB 43 taking effect on January 1, cities will have added control and ability in lowering speed limits, specifically in areas that may be more prone to traffic safety concerns, especially sections of a town with frequent pedestrian or bicycle traffic. The passage of AB 43 will result in the reduction of speed limits on 16.44 street miles affecting 36 segments of City streets that will help prevent traffic and pedestrian fatalities.

Mayor Lisa Middleton and Assembly Member Laura Friedman, the bill's sponsor, celebrated the implementation of AB 43 during a press conference on April 8, 2022 at City Fire Station No. 4.

A 45-mph speed limit sign on Toledo Avenue was replaced with a 40-mph sign that was unveiled during the ceremony. Also in attendance with Mayor Lisa Middleton and Assembly Member Laura Friedman (Center) were (Rt. to Lt.) Fire Chief Kevin Nalder, Police Chief Andrew Mills, Council Member Christy Holstege, and City Engineer Joel Montalvo (Far Left).