Point Reyes Light - December 12, 2002
A plan to slow motorcyclists
By Andrew Pridgen
With the number of fatal automobile, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents climbing dramatically this year in West Marin, county officials this week announced that the Highway Patrol will step up enforcement on San Geronimo Valley Drive, Nicasio Valley Road, and Lucas Valley Road.
Supervisor Steve Kinsey said the Highway Patrol using radar guns will target speeders on San Geronimo Valley Drive in San Geronimo, Nicasio Valley Road, and Lucas Valley Road from Westgate Drive in East Marin to Nicasio Valley Road.
"None of the currently posted speed limits will be changed," Kinsey said, "and officers will provide warnings until Feb. 16."
The supervisor described the stepped-up enforcement as part of an ongoing effort between the County of Marin Department of Public Works and the Marin Area California Highway Patrol to continually update and certify Marin County roads so radar guns can be used to enforce speed limits on various roads.
Certifying for radar
"Certifying roads for radar enforcement has proven to be the single-most effective tool available to control speeds," Kinsey said. To certify a road as eligible for radar enforcement, the Department of Public Works must periodically check the condition of the road, how sharp the curves are, and the typical speed of drivers on the road. Paradoxically, speed limits are always set below the speed at which most motorists drive the road.
Also paradoxical, the county-owned Point Reyes-Petaluma Road and state-owned Highway 1 will not get additional attention under the certification program although two motorcyclists died on them this fall.