Supervisors approve S. Mission Road radar recertification

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved the recertification of a 50 mph speed limit on South Mission Road for radar enforcement.

The supervisors’ 5-0 vote April 6 allows the 50 mph speed limit on the 2.83-mile segment of South Mission Road from State Route 76 to Green Canyon Road to continue to be enforced by radar and confirms findings made by the county’s Traffic Advisory Committee.

In order for a speed limit to be enforceable by radar, a speed survey must show that the speed limit is within the closest 5 mph increment to the 85th percentile speed, although the speed limit can be reduced by 5 mph if findings of special circumstances not apparent to a typical motorist are made. Periodic recertification, along with a supporting speed survey, is required for continued

radar enforcement.

The Jan. 28 TAC motion to recommend recertification cited findings of mixed-use traffic, continuity with the 50 mph speed limit north of the segment, and the improvement from the previous circumstances. Several horse ranches are located off of that part of South Mission Road, so horse trailers routinely enter and exit the road. The Fallbrook Community Planning Group had also voted unanimously to recommend recertification of the 50 mph speed limit.

The 2010 speed survey taken on Mission Road at Via Encinos Drive indicated an 85th percentile speed of 53.8 mph with 75.2 percent of the 194 vehicles traveling within a 10-mph pace of 45-54 mph while the 2010 speed survey taken 3,240 feet north of State Route 76 produced an 85th percentile speed of 56.8 mph with 69.8 percent of the 199 drivers within a 48-57 mph pace.

The 50 mph speed limit was first posted in 2000. A 1999 speed survey at Via Encinos Drive indicated an 85th percentile speed of 55.2 mph with 86.2 percent of the 116 drivers within a 48-57 mph pace while the 1999 survey 3,240 feet north of Highway 76 had an 85th percentile of 58.9 mph with 72.1 percent of the 115 drivers within a 49-58 mph pace.

A January 2009 traffic survey indicated a two-way average daily traffic volume of 16,590 vehicles on Mission Road at Green Canyon Road. A June 2006 traffic survey produced a two-way average volume of 19,180 vehicles on Mission Road north of Via Monserate while a July 1999 survey at that location indicated a two-way average volume of 18,210 vehicles.

In the four-year period from Oct. 31, 2006, to Oct. 31, 2010, a total of 65 collisions were reported along the segment of roadway. The accident rate of 0.95 per million vehicles is below the statewide average of 1.32 per million vehicles for similar roads. Although an accident rate lower than the state average does not constitute special conditions, the improvement due to the previous finding allows for a finding that the lower speed limit has been effective in reducing accidents.

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