The “Basic Speed Law” for the State of California states that you must never drive faster than is safe for the conditions at the present time.  Regardless of the posted speed limit indicated on a sign, the actual speed limit is affected by the number and speed of other vehicles, the surface of the road, the distance you can see ahead of your vehicle, bicyclists or pedestrians on the edge of the road and even weather. This means that there is a time when driving the maximum posted speed limit is not safe.

Obey the Posted Speed Limits

The purpose of posted speed limits is to notify drivers of the maximum speed limit 
on a roadway when ideal driving conditions are met. 

Driving Too Fast

You should not drive beyond the posted speed limit even if you think it is safe because the posted speed limit also provides an enforceable tool for Police Officers who are trying to reach compliance for safety of all vehicles and pedestrians.  The only time that you can exceed the posted speed limit (other than a “maximum” speed limit) is when you can demonstrate that your speed did not violate the Basic Speed Law at the time, place and conditions existing then.

Driving Too Slow

You must not drive so slowly that you are a danger on the road, or interfere with the normal or reasonable flow of traffic.  You may be cited for driving too slow just as you can be cited for driving too fast.

There are occasionally drivers attempting to obey the posted speed limit who may actually decrease safety by causing other drivers to make additional lane changes in order to get around slow traffic and/ or tailgate to try to speed up the traffic head.  In these cases, the driver moving too slowly may cause harm to other motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists because traffic flowing at uniform speeds results in increased safety and fewer accidents.  

State lawmakers are aware of problems associated with driving too slowly and subsequently established a law to decrease collisions that can occur when people drive too slowly.  That law states that “no person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with the law.” 

What to Do If You Need to Drive Slower than Traffic Flow

If you need to drive slower than the normal flow of traffic you should drive in the right lane of the roadway or as far to the right as is safe.  You may even want to just pull over temporarily, allow the traffic behind you to pass and re-enter the travel lane when it is safe.

You must not block another driver who is attempting to pass you.  Even though you believe you are driving the maximum safe legal speed for conditions, it is a good idea to let faster drivers pass you.

Establishment of Posted Speed Limits

The City of Pasadena establishes speed limits for City streets by criteria established by the State of California Department of Transportation and published in the California Vehicle Code.  Speed surveys are conducted for streets where the prima facie speed limit would not be applicable.  In these cases, the speed limits vary by characteristics of the roadway, adjacent land features, traffic collision history, and the prevailing speed of vehicles traveling on the roadway.  Click here to view the City's speed limit map.

Prima Facie Speed Limits

Certain speeds are automatically set by the State and included in the California Vehicle Code.  These include prima facie limits that do not require the posting of speed limit signs.  Some of the prima facie limits are listed below:

25 MPH           Residential Districts

25 MPH           Business Districts                                                         

25 MPH           School Districts (when school children are present)       

15 MPH           Alleys

15 MPH           Entering Intersections where no traffic control devices are used

15 MPH           Railroad Crossings where visibility is limited and no gates, flagmen or signal warnings control the crossing   

Types of Speed Limit Signs

Speed limit signs that are printed with black letters on a white background are regulatory signs and show the maximum speed for the roadway under ideal conditions.

Signs that have a yellow background and black letters are warning signs that usually advise motorists of safe speeds around curves.  

Speed limits printed on signs with black letters and an orange background indicate the speed in a construction zone.  You should also be aware that traffic fines in construction zones throughout the State of California are doubled when the violation occurs in a construction zone.

Reporting Speeding Problems in Your Neighborhood

Speed Limit Radar Trailer

There are times when people don’t realize that they are driving too fast and just need to be reminded of their vehicle speed habits.  The Pasadena Police Department may place the radar trailer on streets where residents and business owners call to report possible speeding issues.  The trailer displays the posted speed limit then measures your speed and gives you the information by displaying it under the area indicated by “Your Speed.”  The trailer provides valuable information to the driver and stores data regarding speed and time of day that can be used later by the Police Department for enforcement and safety issues and the Transportation Department for planning and safety purposes.