Police Department Summary Reports for Traffic Safety Committee

PD Summary Traffic Safety Committee March 2024

PD Summary Traffic Safety Committee February 2024

PD Summary Traffic Safety Committee January 2024 

PD Summary Traffic Safety Committee December 2023

PD Summary Traffic Safety Committee November 2023

PD Summary Traffic Safety Committee July 2023

PD Summary Traffic Safety Committee May 2023

PD Summary Traffic Safety Committee March 2023

PD Summary Traffic Safety Committee January 2023

PD Summary Traffic Safety Committee September 2022

Stealth Radar Data Reports

Radar Data Summaries

Stealth Radar Data Summary 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

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The following are often-asked questions regarding various traffic and parking items. Most rules regarding these matters are from the State law in California Vehicle Code (CVC) and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD) that is published by Caltrans.

If you have a question that is not covered below or want more information about an item, please click here to send an email. A staff member will provide you with a timely response.

General Traffic Operations/Rules

• What regulations cover the use of street signs?

The City follows the standards in the CAMUTCD. Agencies must follow these standards to provide consistent and uniform traffic control. Therefore, the street signs you see in PVE are the same as what you will find in other cities.

Speed Limits

• There are no posted speed limits on many residential streets. What is it?

All two-lane local streets in PVE have a default speed limit of 25 miles per hour (mph) per the California Vehicle Code (CVC). Local streets are defined by the City’s General Plan.

• How are speed limits set? How can they be changed?

Speed limits are set by a process established by State law and Caltrans. The speed limit for some streets are set by conducting an Engineering & Traffic Survey (E&TS). Those streets are listed in the City’s municipal code. Any change in the speed limit on those streets would require a new E&TS to be conducted.

• How do we get the speed limit lowered to slow down traffic?

For streets posted at more than 25 mph, a new E&TS survey would need to be conducted and the results show that the speed limit should be lower than the existing speed limit. For two lane local streets that are either unposted or posted at 25 mph no reduction below 25 mph is allowed.

Stop Signs

• What is the criteria to have a stop sign on my street?

Stop signs are generally installed based on warrants provided in the CAMUTCD. The warrants cover various traffic and design conditions. Stop signs are not installed as speed control devices.

Pedestrians/Bicycles

• Where can bicycles ride in the street?

Bicyclists are allowed to ride in the travel lane. Bicyclist not keeping up with the flow of traffic in most cases are required to ride as close as practicable to the right side of the road, except when it is considered unsafe to do so.

Whenever a marked bicycle lane has been established, a bicyclist riding slower than the flow of traffic are supposed to ride within the bicycle lane, except when it is considered not safe to do so or if the bicyclist is making a left turn.

• What rules do bicyclists have to follow?

Cyclists are required to follow the same rules of the road as passenger vehicles and as such, are required to stop at stop signs. Failure to stop at a stop sign is a traffic infraction (cite-able offense), even on a bicycle.

• Sometimes cyclists ride 2 or 3 abreast on the Palos Verdes Drive West to Malaga Cove. Is this illegal?

Bicyclists should ride towards the right side of the road, but there are exceptions which allow them to use the entire lane. Riding abreast or using the entire lane is legal so long as the riders are keeping up with the flow of traffic, passing another bicyclist, preparing to make a left turn or when it is reasonable to avoid conditions that make it unsafe. Slower moving bicyclists are required to move to the right when safe to do so in order to allow others to pass. In this case, please keep in mind that passenger vehicles are required to pass while maintaining a distance of no less than three feet between their vehicle and the bicycle rider.

• Where is it legal for a pedestrian to cross the street?

Pedestrians have the right-of-way to cross a street at any intersection with a marked or unmarked crosswalk, unless it is posted that crossings are not allowed. Pedestrians may cross between intersections, but shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on that street that are near enough to constitute an immediate hazard. Drivers also need to slow and avoid any pedestrian that is already in the street.

Parking

• Where can I park in the City?

Parking is allowed along most City streets unless otherwise posted. Public parking lots are located in Malaga Cove Plaza, on Paseo Del Mar near the Malaga Cove School, and at the south intersection of Palos Verdes Drive West and Paseo Del Mar.

• There are “no parking” signs in various places throughout the City. What is the criteria for posting a “no parking” sign?

Parking restriction are placed where there is a sight restriction that contributes to an identified safety issue, where the street is too narrow to support parking on both sides, and/or where there are municipal or vehicle codes or other restrictions to on-street parking. The placement of a sign would need to meet one or more of these conditions. “No Parking” signs are used sparingly in the City so as to not create visual obstructions.

• How do I get my curbs painted red?

Red curb is installed to restrict parking where there is an identified public safety issues and/or regulatory requirements (e.g., no parking in front of fire hydrants or bus stops or fire access). Parking in front of a private mailbox is not a reason that red curb will be installed. Requests can be made to the Public Works Department and a staff member will review the request and provide you with a timely response.

• Can campers, trailers or motor homes be parked on the street?

Residents may not park a recreational vehicle on-street or in front of a residence, but may obtain a loading/unloading certificate. Guests of residents may obtain a permit for RV parking for up to 7 days in any one calendar year. All codes governing recreational vehicle parking can be found at Chapter 8.40 Recreational Vehicles and Recreational Vessels of the City’s Municipal Code.

• How long can a car be parked on-street? Is overnight parking allowed?

Vehicles are allowed to be parked on-street for up to 72 hours, including overnight, unless other parking restrictions are posted.

• Can parking be restricted on my street to just residents?

Resident permit parking is currently only allowed near Palos Verdes High School in the Residential Parking Zone (RPZ). Streets in the Coastal Zone (Paseo Del Mar and parts of Palos Verdes Drive West) cannot have permit parking. Any other locations would require approval by the City Council to implement any permit parking system.

• How do I get parking rules enforced?

Parking rules are enforced by the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department. They can be reached at their non-emergency number: 310-378-4211.

Traffic Calming

• How do I request getting traffic calming devices installed?

Traffic calming devices can be requested by completing the request form located on the Traffic Safety Committee page on the City’s website.

• How does the City determine what traffic calming devices can be approved?

The traffic calming program document on the City’s website identifies the types of devices that may be considered. All applications are reviewed by the Public Work Department and are submitted to the Traffic Safety Committee. The Traffic Safety Committee’s recommendation is then considered by the City Council for a final decision.

• Can stop signs be installed to slow traffic down?

The CAMUTCD states that stop signs are not to be used as speed control devices.

• What are some of the traditional methods to slow down traffic on major streets?

Speed can be controlled on major streets through police enforcement, speed feedback signs, and through design elements that either reduce the travel lane widths or provide “friction” (such as on-street parking and/or bicycle lanes) to reduce freeflow speeds.

• What can be done on smaller streets to slow down traffic?

Speed control on smaller streets may include various traffic calming elements, such as speed feedback signs, narrowing travel lanes by adding edge lines, and police enforcement.

• What is the criteria for speed humps?

The City does not have criteria for the provision of speed humps. If speed humps are being considered, the City will follow the standards and guidelines published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), and other similar organizations and local agencies.

Other

• What is my recourse if I do not agree with a TSC decision?

The Traffic Safety Committee is an advisory body to the City Council. All recommendations of the TSC are presented to the City Council for their decision. You may express your concerns to the City Council in writing prior to the meeting or as protocols allow during the live meeting. TSC recommendations may also be appealed to the City Council.

• How can I apply for a position on the TSC?

City Council conducts applicant interviews for civic service annually. An announcement will be posted in the Spring of each year indicating when applications for civic service will be accepted. If you are interested in serving a two-year term on a committee or commission, please complete an Application for Civic Service from the City’s web site and forward it to the Office of the City Clerk by the advertised due date.

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