Traffic may soon be obliged to slow to an even slower crawl on Boston streets like these in the South End, if the City Council has its way. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.org)
BOSTON – The Boston City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to lower the speed limit on many Hub roads to 20 miles per hour from the current 30 mph, citing hopes of reducing accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists.
It would also cut the limit in school zones to 15 mph from 20. The proposed 20 mph limit would apply to unposted roads, or where no speed limit signs exist.
The ordinance, if accepted by Mayor Marty Walsh and the state Legislature, would also give the city the authority to post speed limits without first obtaining state approval and doing a required traffic study, Council President Michelle Wu said on her Facebook.com page.
This petition came after Councilor Frank Baker received numerous complaints of drivers speeding through neighborhood streets in Dorchester, and believes it will complement the Walsh’s goal of eliminating pedestrian fatalities in the city.
According to Boston magazine’s website, city figures blame more than 100 deaths on traffic-related accidents from 2010 to 2015. It said 23 of those deaths occurred last year.
Traffic may soon be obliged to slow to an even slower crawl on Boston streets like these in the South End, if the City Council has its way. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.org) 
