Monterey County votes to send letter of support for speed limit assembly bill

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) -- The Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted to send a letter of support for a new bill for more flexibility in setting speed limits.

Assembly Bill 1014, introduced by Assemblymember Chris Rogers, focuses on improving road safety across California by establishing guidelines for adjusting speed limits in high-traffic areas with an option to reduce limits by 10 miles per hour.

This also includes areas prone to heavy pedestrian and cyclist presence and designated safety corridors across the state.

District 3 Supervisor Chris Lopez brought up the idea of supporting the bill to the Board. Lopez spoke on the near-misses on Spreckels Boulevard in the town of Spreckels.

"We also have other rural partners throughout the state who've requested support on similar issues outside of state parks near key draws of their communities," Supervisor Lopez said.

District 2 Supervisor Glenn Church echoed Lopez's support.

"This gives us control of areas that we know best whether that's Spreckels, or rural roads, or the highways or wherever it may be," Supervisor Church said.

Supervisor Luis Alejo was not in support of backing the bill, citing that it does not apply to regular roads, but to highways in the state.

"I think that when it comes to state highway speeds that they should be consistent. If there's a 65 (miles per hour) speed limit, it should be the same uniform across the state," says Supervisor Alejo.

The Board of Supervisors voted 3 to 1, with Supervisor Luis Alejo opposing.