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Section 40802(b) and 22357 of the State of California Vehicle Code permit local authorities
to establish speed limits greater than the prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour
(MPH) when, on the basis of an engineering and traffic survey, the local authority
determines that a speed greater than 25 MPH would facilitate the orderly movement of
vehicular traffic and would be reasonable and safe.
In order for National City Police Department officers to conduct radar speed enforcement,
engineering and traffic surveys must be performed every seven years in accordance with
Section 627 of the State of California Vehicle Code and Chapter 2B of the California
Department of Transportation Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. In addition,
officers must have successfully completed a radar operator course of not less than 24
hours, approved and certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training,
and the radar, laser or other electronic device used to measure vehicle speeds must be
properly calibrated and meet or exceed the minimal operational standards of the National
Traffic Highway Safety Administration.
Through the City's "On -Call" Engineering contract, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
completed engineering and traffic surveys for 140 individual roadway segments throughout
National City. The roadway segments selected were confirmed with the National City
Police Department prior to conducting the surveys and represent all of the Arterial and
Collector roadways identified in the National City General Plan Circulation Element. The
engineering and traffic surveys were conducted in accordance with Section 627 of the
State of California Vehicle Code and Chapter 2B of the California Department of
Transportation Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Attached is a summary of the
speed survey results and recommendations. All of the engineering and traffic surveys with
back-up data are on file in the Office of the City Engineer.
Staff supports the findings and recommendations of the engineering and traffic surveys.
The attached ordinance would amend Title 11, Chapter 11.16, Section 11 .16.010 -- Speed
Zones Designated, of the National City Municipal Code, to establish speed limits and allow
for the use of radar speed enforcement for 140 roadway segments throughout National City
based on the findings and recommendations of the engineering and traffic surveys. .
Staff will return to City Council on December 4, 2012 fora final reading of the ordinance
and a recommendation for adoption.