I write to oppose the new proposed local speed limits being proposed this evening, and particularly the approach the city seems to be taking. This frankly reads like it will be mostly more worthless “sign wash” and no real change in behavior. That same pattern seems to be Menlo Park’s main traffic approach in recent years. It does not work.
I don’t think unilaterally lowering speed limits and then throwing the typical overdone Menlo Park signage is sensible. It does not change behavior—the bottom line. But I think it does continue to lessen ordinary residents’ trust in and respect of local government, starting with our own council and its committees. It comes off as the very in vogue “we know better.” Honestly, I don’t think so. As a council, I think you really need to step back and curb that approach.
Big picture, I don’t drive particularly fast in town. I have no moving tickets of any type in decades. I also walk and biccyle, dozens of miles daily in earlier days. Scooters in past too. But, signs don’t change behavior—“sign wash.” In fact, it seems like you are following some new I guess in fashion state legal changes. No reference to traffic surveys, 85th percentile and the like. That used to be the required homework—real data, street by street. Yet, if you know the actual history of that approach, it arose in California case law before specific statutes and regulations around it got formulated. At its core, the thinking is the average (85th percentile) driver in generally responsible and makes decent decisions.
This approach instead is classic big brother, we know better. It imposes some speed limits like 20MPH on eastern Middle Ave that I think won’t even pass a local laugh test once folks understand what this proposal is. By the way on Middle, it should not even be lumped in here. You have that whole separate project and lots of questions and sub topics there. To even propose to impose this outside of that project process that is now getting to later stages is not well thought out. In addition, I see approximately zero discussion about spill over effects. Combined with the side street closure, talk of a possible right turn on red ban at ECR--both ideas themselves not well considered either—you are setting up a scenario to divert traffic from a designated arterial to literally Allied Arts small neighborhood streets. Not common sense. Where is the study and review on that? Where is the neighborhood outreach specific to this proposal? Same probably applies to other roads being considered that involves coherent neighborhoods and issues.
Heres the real punch line and why I have the strong reaction I do. This really is just more Menlo Park feel good, sign wash. It does NOT solve the problem. If you really want to solve the perceived problem, step up and fund the police department for traffic enforcement and other crime priorities. As a council you make those choices. And frankly you have—at the margin the other way. Millions of dollars annually are probably needed. Are you prepared to refocus say 5% of the city’s discretionary budget to the police function, including sustained and dedicated traffic enforcement? Your actions, approaches and spend decisions strongly suggest you are not.
Together with clean water, schools, fire and a few other things, police is a core local function. I see millions being spent locally in what in the end are social welfare oriented programs. They have a purpose, but is that really the top priority, and should cities be doing a function typically left more to higher levels of government? Meanwhile, laughable overly expensive poster children like police vehicle Telsa’s as a juxtaposition. Really? We fund what are ultimately very expensive novelties and what really should be the supplier’s R&D expense—and many other eyebrow raisers in general-- and yet core local law enforcement being systemically underfunded, including traffic specifically?
You can make the speeds 25, then 20 or 15, then 10, then ? And with little real AND sustained enforcement, it wastes everyone’s time getting to sound policy and planning, actually reducing accidents and injuries. But it does create disrespect for local government, and a general disconnect. It just gets farther and farther from reality in which most of us live, think and get around on a daily basis.
Regards, Elias Blawie
40+ year Menlo Park resident
