Safer School Zones: New 15 MPH Limit When Children Are Present

The City of Vacaville, in partnership Vacaville Unified School District (VUSD), Travis Unified School District (TUSD), and local private schools, is implementing a new 15 MPH speed limit in most school zones, when children are present. This change replaces the previous 25 MPH limit in these areas.

Why the Change?

• Slower speeds save lives: At 15 MPH, a driver has more time to react and can stop in a much shorter distance than at 25 MPH, greatly reducing the risk of serious injury in the event of a collision.
• Safer streets for all: Lower speeds give drivers more control and awareness, especially during busy drop-off and pick-up times.
• Community safety priority: This initiative is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to encourage safe driving awareness for the protection of both pedestrians and drivers.

What Drivers Need to Know

• The 15 MPH limit applies only when children are present.
• Be alert for crossing guards, school buses, and pedestrian crossings.
• Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and follow the directions of school personnel.

Impacted School Zones

The new 15 MPH school zone speed limit will apply to most Vacaville schools, including:

• Vacaville Unified School District
  • Alamo Elementary
  • Browns Valley Elementary
  • Cooper Elementary
  • Edwin Markham Elementary
  • Eugene Padan Elementary
  • Fairmont Charter Elementary
  • Hemlock / ACE Elementary
  • Jean Callison Elementary
  • Orchard Elementary
  • Sierra Vista K–8
  • Vaca Peña Middle
  • Vacaville High
  • Will C. Wood High
  • Willis Jepson Middle
  
  
• Travis Unified School District
  • Cambridge Elementary
  • Foxboro Elementary
    
    
• Charter
  • Kairos Public Schools Vacaville Academy
    
    
• Private Schools
  • Notre Dame
  • Vacaville Christian

• Follow the speed limit.
• Slow down at intersections.
• Never drive impaired.
• Never use your phone while driving.
• Be cautious when backing up.
• Look out for and yield to pedestrians they have the right of way at any crosswalk or intersection. Give them a brake at crosswalks and unmarked corners. Be prepared to stop and let them cross.
• Be extra careful in less-than-ideal driving conditions such as in the dark, foggy or rainy weather.
• Respect bicyclists and give them space when passing. (As of January 1, 2023, California law now requires drivers to change a lane, when possible, to pass bicyclists.)

• Wear brightly colored clothes and carry a flashlight at night.
• Stay off your phone and look left-right-left before crossing a street.
• Cross streets at marked crosswalks/intersections, preferably with a stop sign or signal.
  

• Go with the flow of traffic.
• Always wear a helmet.
• Use hand signals when turning or stopping.

Learn more at Go Safely California.