Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Parents park illegally on Stage Coach Lane as they wait for their children outside Fallbrook High School, Wednesday, May 18, 2011.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 May 11 to recertify the 40 mph speed limit on a portion of Stage Coach Lane.
The supervisors’ action allows radar enforcement of the speed limit to continue to be used on the 0.76-mile segment between South Mission Road and 1,580 feet south of Calavo Road. The county’s Traffic Advisory Committee had recommended recertification during the TAC’s March 11 meeting.
In order for a speed limit to be enforceable by radar, a speed survey must show that the speed limit is within the closest 5 mph increment to the 85th percentile speed, although the speed limit can be reduced by 5 mph if findings of special circumstances not apparent to a typical motorist are made. Periodic recertification, along with a supporting speed survey, is required for continued radar enforcement. The TAC’s recommendation to maintain the 40 mph speed limit was based solely on prevailing speeds from the 2011 traffic survey.
The speed surveys were not taken during school hours, since a 25 mph school zone exists in the vicinity of Fallbrook High School. Two speed surveys were taken, one 900 feet east of South Mission Road and one 200 feet east of Knollwood Avenue. Stage Coach Lane is a through highway along the radar-certified segment. The width of the two-lane road varies from 26 to 39 feet, and edge striping is on both sides of the roadway. Stage Coach Lane is classified as a Rural Collector on the county’s Circulation Element map. The 45 mph speed limit northeast of the reviewed segment is not certified for radar enforcement. A traffic survey taken west of Calavo Road in October 2008 indicated a two-way average daily traffic volume of 6,720 vehicles. Two-way traffic surveys were taken east of South Mission Road in November 2003, when the average volume was 9,770 vehicles, and in September 1996, when 6,490 vehicles constituted the average volume.
The 2011 speed survey revealed an 85th percentile of 38.0 mph 900 feet east of South Mission Road with 62.6 percent of the 219 vehicles within a 10-mph pace of 26-35 mph. The 2011 survey 200 feet east of Knollwood Avenue produced an 85th percentile of 42.0 mph with 74.8 percent of the 214 vehicles within a 33-42 mph pace.
The previous speed surveys were taken in 2004. The 85th percentile east of South Mission Road was 42.7 mph with 94 percent of the 368 drivers within a 36-45 mph pace while the 85th percentile east of Knollwood Avenue was 44.1 mph with 96.5 percent of the 316 drivers within the 38-47 mph pace.
To comment on this story online, visit http://www.thevillagenews.com.
Reader Comments(0)