New Virginia law allows localities to drop state highway speed limits to 15 mph. Will they?

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — As police and leaders in Northern Virginia continue to address traffic safety and curb reckless driving, a new law will allow local municipalities to lower speed limits.

The law, which will take effect on July 1, gives local governments the authority to lower speed limits to less than 25 mph but not less than 15 mph on state-run roads in either business or residential districts.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-Virginia) signed the bill introduced by Del. Betsy Carr (D-Richmond) to help improve pedestrian safety in the commonwealth. Localities must notify the Commissioner of Highway of any speed limit changes.

Among the proponents to expand a city or county’s capability to set its own limits include Falls Church Councilman David Snyder.

In November, the city lowered the speed limits on local roads to 20 mph. Officials cited studies that show chances of survivability are greater when limits are reduced.

Snyder supports changing speed limits on state roads that run through the city including Broad Street and Washington Street to 20 mph as well.

“It’s a fairly new legislation so we’re in the process of taking a look at it,” Snyder told WUSA9.

Snyder said going as low as 15 mph will no doubt need widespread public acceptance.

“We want to avoid any confusion for drivers,” he added. “I think we’re interested in lowering it to 20. In a sense, there needs to be a regional coordination of that as well because these state roads often run in between multiple jurisdictions.”

Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi supports the move but wants lawmakers to focus on speed cameras next.

“Just like how the General Assembly granted power to further lower speed limits, I hope Richmond will also expand our ability to use automated enforcement so we can address this real public safety issue,” Hardi told WUSA9.

A spokesperson for Prince William County said currently officials aren’t considering lowering the speed limits below 20 mph on any of the public roads. Some private neighborhoods are set to 20 mph.

In Loudoun County, supervisors were supportive of the legislation but so far, the Board hasn’t taken any specific action. The transportation department says that no related evaluations of speed limits by staff have occurred or proposed yet. A spokesperson said, “Given the legislation, however, we may start to see increasing interest in this topic.”

In a response to WUSA9’s questions, a Fairfax County spokesperson said, “The decision to lower speed limits will primarily depend on policy guidance from the Board of Supervisors and input from the public. Any potential changes would also need to be coordinated with the Fairfax County Police Department and VDOT.”

A representative for Arlington County said officials don’t have plans to lower speed limits below 20 mph at this time. The county has ‘School Slow Zones’ which have lowered to speed limit from 25 mph to 20 mph across all schools in Arlington.