San Diego to Reduce Speed Limits on 20% of City Roads

New Comprehensive Speed Management Plan aims to improve safety and meet Vision Zero goals

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The city of San Diego has released a Comprehensive Speed Management Plan that will reduce speed limits on over 679 miles of roads, or 20% of the city's total road network. The plan uses new state laws to lower speeds in areas with high crash rates, heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and near schools. The goal is to improve safety and work towards the city's Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

Why it matters

San Diego's Vision Zero initiative aims to eliminate all traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2025. Lowering speed limits is a key strategy, as higher vehicle speeds significantly increase the risk of crashes and the severity of injuries. This plan represents a major step towards making San Diego's streets safer for all users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

The details

The Comprehensive Speed Management Plan identifies over 679 miles of San Diego roads that are eligible for speed limit reductions. This includes 189.6 miles of high-crash corridors, 32.6 miles with heavy pedestrian and bike traffic, 58.7 miles in business districts, and 371.1 miles near schools. The plan will allow the city to lower speeds to 15, 20, or 25 mph in these areas, using new state laws that give cities more flexibility to set appropriate speed limits. Lowering speeds alone won't solve all safety issues, so the plan will also be paired with other improvements like traffic calming, intersection safety enhancements, and public education.

  • In 2022, San Diego received a $680,000 federal grant to fund the Comprehensive Speed Management Plan.
  • The plan could be implemented as soon as the next fiscal year, pending city budget approval.

The players

Stephen Whitburn

San Diego City Councilmember and Chair of the Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Margaret McCormick

Interim Assistant Director of San Diego's Transportation Department.

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What they’re saying

“Every San Diegan deserves to feel safe walking, biking or driving in their community. This plan provides a clear roadmap to reduce dangerous speeds, protect lives, and build streets that work for everyone.”

— Stephen Whitburn, San Diego City Councilmember

“The Comprehensive Speed Management Plan represents a significant step in aligning San Diego's speed limits with Vision Zero safety priorities. The city has a clear and consistent framework to reduce speeds where they will make the most safety impact for all road users.”

— Margaret McCormick, Interim Assistant Director, San Diego Transportation Department

What’s next

The identified speed limit changes require further evaluation, field verification, and approval by the San Diego City Council before implementation.

The takeaway

By lowering speed limits on over 20% of its roads, San Diego is taking a major step towards improving safety and achieving its Vision Zero goals. This data-driven plan will help protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers across the city's neighborhoods and commercial corridors.