Letter to Caltrans regarding speed limit on Highway 50

The following letter from former South Lake Tahoe City Manager David Jinkens was sent to Jody Jones, District 3 director of Caltrans in Marysville.

Dear Ms. Jones:
First of all, I wanted to again congratulate you and District personnel for the fine job you do every year maintaining the road system into and through South Lake Tahoe and Meyers. You and your crew do a remarkable job during all seasons, and your work is essential to maintaining access to our community. We are fortunate that you and Caltrans crews are there all of the time for us.

I also wanted to ask you a question. I understand that in California the speed limit for State highways can be set at any reasonable speed and be enforced by law enforcement officials without using radar. However, in order for law enforcement officials (e.g. police, sheriff or CHP) to use radar for speed enforcement, the speed limit set must be determined by a speed survey, conducted according to established professional standards, and the speed limit set must be within the 85th percentile of the speed found in the survey. Thus, the speed limit on U.S. 50 in the areas mentioned above can be set at a lower speed than the 85th percentile but if this is done, law enforcement agencies cannot use radar to enforce the speed limit? Am I correct? It has been some time since I visited this issue. I know on city streets this is the case, but State highways may be different.

Thank you and best wishes to you and your fine Caltrans staff for continued success!

David

David M. Jinkens, M.P.A.
Retired City Manager, South Lake Tahoe