In an effort to get motorists to change unsafe habits, the city of Santee
today activated four radar speed feedback signs along Magnolia Avenue.
The devices measure the speed of approaching vehicles
and flash that number to motorists as they pass by. They're intended to
get motorists to slow down, which in turn can reduce the number and severity of
traffic collisions.
Next week, the city
will activate two additional speed feedback signs along Mast Boulevard, where a similar one has been in place for
several years near West Hills High
School.
The feedback sign has four different displays based on the
speed of the oncoming vehicle. They are:
1.
If you’re
within the speed limit, the lighted sign remains blank.
2.
If you’re
traveling less than five miles over the speed limit, the sign displays your
speed.
3.
If you’re
traveling between 5 and 10 miles per hour over the limit, the sign repeatedly
flashes your excessive speed.
4.
If you’re traveling more than 10 miles over the speed
limit, the sign flashes this message: “slow down.”
The cost to install the signs, which are solar powered, will
be covered by a $91,000 grant from the federal Highway Safety Improvement
Program.
