Bakersfield Widens Speed Sign Program in Bid to Curb Traffic Accidents [Bakersfield, CA]

BAKERSFIELD, CA (April 9, 2024) — The Bakersfield City Council has approved a significant expansion of the city’s excessive speed warning sign program, nearly doubling the number from 16 to 30. The council greenlit $273,544 for the purchase of 14 new digital signs aimed at reducing speed-related traffic incidents.

The project, which is funded by the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program and supported by a 10% state gas tax match, awarded the contract to Total Western Inc. of Paramount. The company outbid four other competitors, including the local firm Loop Electric of Bakersfield, by a narrow margin of $5,400.

New locations for the Bakersfield speed signs include high-traffic areas such as Christmas Tree Lane with Columbus Street, and extends to intersections like Real Road and Palm Street, among others. The “electric shaming” devices, as they are informally known, are designed to deter speeding by displaying real-time speeds to drivers; however, they do not issue tickets directly.

Despite their limitations in enforcement, these signs have proven effective in reducing speeds. Data suggests that while not all drivers will heed the warnings, enough do so to significantly reduce the likelihood of fatal accidents stemming from high speeds.