Policy Order O-2

WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge is considered a "thickly settled" community, and as such, the general speed limit is defined as 30 miles per hour on the many Cambridge streets where no speed limit is posted; and

WHEREAS: Last month, the City Council of New York City approved a bill to reduce the maximum speed for cars, trucks and taxis on residential streets from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour; and

WHEREAS: Although the City of Cambridge is not authorized to post an actual speed limit sign without permission from the state highway department, it may be possible to post "advisory speed limit" signage without having to obtain state-level approval; and

WHEREAS: The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) has compiled a "Driving Speed Fatality Risk Chart" that shows a 45% risk of fatality to pedestrians and cyclists in accidents involving an automobile that is traveling in the 30 to 35 miles per hour range, as compared to a 5% risk of fatality when automobiles are travelling in the 20 to 25 miles per hour range; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with all relevant City Staff and Departments to examine the feasibility of posting advisory signage to broadly encourage a motor vehicle speed limit of 20 to 25 miles per hour on City streets; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter.