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By law, if police want to use radar guns on streets, cities must measure the average speed cars are going, regardless of posted limits, every 7 to 10 years. If they find that 15% of vehicles are illegally going over the speed limit, the city must increase the limit to allow for radar use. That's what's been happening for nearly a year in the Valley, angering residents and activists who have brought the issue to City Councilmembers who in turn are beginning to show disapproval of the system, too. "It's counterintuitive," said Councilwoman Wendy Greuel, who heads the city's transportation committee, via the Daily News. "We should have some local control." Now, the city may soon ask some state legislators to change the law, to give cities broader authority.
But until that happens, the Department of Transportation (LADOT) will have to continue to evaluate street speeds in order to let police use radar guns. At yesterday's City Council Transportation meeting, Councilman Bernard Parks questioned why all the focus has been on Valley, reported StreetsblogLA. An LADOT rep said it is just where they started and the rest of the city will be done in coming years.
