Speeding in residential neighborhoods is one of the most common traffic-related complaints received by Public Works. Speeding is largely a behavioral issue, often influenced by the demands of busy lives. However, speeding poses a serious risk to the safety of everyone in the community. By gaining a better understanding of some of the facts about speeding we can work together towards alleviating speeding on our roadways:

• The speed limit on residential streets is 25 MPH unless otherwise established by the City.

• A significant number of speeders in certain residential areas are actually the people who live in those neighborhoods themselves.

• Federal and state policies prohibit the use of YIELD or STOP signs for speed control.
  
  

To address community concerns, the City may implement one or more of the following measures:

• Selective speed enforcement by the Torrance Police Department. This measure is highly effective but may be limited by available resources.
• The temporary deployment of a radar speed trailer. The trailer displays the speed at which a vehicle is traveling in comparison to the posted speed limit. It is effective at reminding a motorist of the speed limit and their responsibility to drive safely. The device has been proven to be effective in reducing vehicular speeds. Many times, it is used in advance of an enforcement detail.
• The installation of a permanent speed limit sign to advise a motorist of the posted legal speed limit. Although a permanent sign may be installed, it can serve only as a reminder to a motorist and only assists with enforcement efforts.
  
  

The 25 MPH speed limit on local residential streets is established by the California Vehicle Code. This means that Torrance Police can enforce the speed limit using radar equipment, even if a 25 MPH speed limit sign is not posted on the street.

Residents often request 25 MPH speed limit signs, believing that the signs will eliminate or significantly reduce speeding in their neighborhoods. However, studies and experience have shown that this is not usually the case. Instead, selective speed enforcement is recommended as a more effective solution to address speeding concerns.

That said, the City’s Traffic Engineer may investigate and recommend posting a 25 MPH speed limit sign at the entrance of a residential neighborhood, especially near its intersection with an arterial or collector roadway with a higher speed limit. These signs serve to notify motorists that they are entering a lower-speed zone.

Currently, the City of Torrance does not allow or approve of the installation of speed bumps, speed humps or speed cushions on local streets. Although there are several contributing factors, the primary reasons are:

• Speed bumps, humps and cushions can cause an increase in the response time for emergency vehicles; and
• Speed bumps, humps and cushions can cause a diversion of traffic to other nearby residential streets.
  
  

Other potential negatives resulting from the use of speed bumps include an increase in noise levels as vehicles decelerate/accelerate at each speed bump and an increase in maintenance costs.

To address concerns for speeding vehicles, the City prefers to investigate and/or perform selective traffic enforcement as needed.

The Public Works Department takes community input and implements appropriate measures to enhance traffic safety and calming all in conformance with Federal and State standards. The following measures are used by the City:

• Coordination with the Police Department for enforcement of traffic laws.
• The temporary deployment of a radar speed trailer. The trailer displays the speed at which a vehicle is traveling in comparison to the posted speed limit. It is effective at reminding a motorist of the speed limit and their responsibility to drive safely.
• Signs and pavement markings: Traffic signs and pavement markings can help mitigate certain traffic conditions and can be installed if approved by City staff. Any traffic sign or pavement marking installed by the city must comply with the California Manual on Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD).

STOP SIGNS

STOP signs are essential traffic control devices that help drivers and pedestrians determine the right-of-way at intersections. However, the installation of STOP signs is guided by State standards to ensure their effectiveness and safety. One or more of the following State requirements must be met before the city can consider the installation of a multi-way STOP sign:

• Traffic volumes, including motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians observed by the intersection/location during a substantial part of the day. For example,the minimum volume requirement for a multi-way STOP includes the following: the vehicular volume entering the intersection from the major street approaches must average at least 300 vehicles per hour over any 8 hours of an average day, and the combined vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle volume entering from the minor street approaches must average at least 200 units per hour during the same 8 hours.

• Five or more reported crashes in a 12-month period.

• Other consideration may include intersection sight clearance, intersection configuration, and etc. 

Traffic Signals

Traffic signals provide for the orderly movement of vehicles and pedestrians by minimizing confusion of potential conflicts at intersections. Traffic signals are implemented only after thorough analysis to ensure they address the needs of the location without introducing unnecessary delays or inefficiencies. Traffic signals are placed where they are truly needed and effective in improving safety and traffic flow. These criteria, often referred to as "warrants," are set forth in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and other engineering standards. They include:

•  A signal may be warranted if the volume of vehicles and pedestrians at an intersection exceeds specific thresholds during peak hours or over the course of a typical day. For example, under the peak-hour signal warrant, if the major street has a combined volume of 1,000 vehicles across both approaches, the minor street must have at least 200 trips on a single approach during the same peak hour.
• An intersection with a history of preventable crashes, particularly those correctable by signal control (e.g., right-angle collisions), may meet criteria for signal installation. For example, five or more reported crashes within a 12-month period.
• If a significant number of pedestrians, including children or individuals with disabilities, regularly cross a roadway and face difficulty or danger, a signal may be justified to provide safe crossing opportunities. For example, a major street must have a combined volume of 1,000 vehicles across both approaches and at least 100 pedestrians crossing the major street during the same peak hour.
• Other factors, such as school zones, excessive intersection delays, traffic flow progression, and limited sight distance, may also influence the decision to install traffic signals.

 Before installing a signal, traffic engineers assess its potential impact, including safety risks and the possibility of increased traffic congestion from improper placement.

Flashing Beacons

Flashing yellow beacons may be used at heavily used crosswalks that are not already controlled by traffic signals or stop signs, and when there is no alternate controlled crossing nearby. They are also used to warn motorists of upcoming severe dips or curves, or obstructions such as tunnel portals, bridge railings and abutments, or overcrossings.

Flashers attract attention to conditions that may not be readily apparent to drivers. For flashers to be effective, they must command the respect of motorists. Therefore, the condition must be viewed serious enough for motorists to justify having been alerted. If it seems arbitrary or unnecessary, drivers tend to ignore it.

The City is currently considering installing flashing beacons at pedestrian crossings on roadways with two or more lanes in each direction, where the risk of "multiple-threat" crashes—situations where one vehicle stops but another continues—is higher.

The City does not support the installation of flashing red lights around STOP signs. While these lights may draw additional attention to traffic signs, their use also comes with maintenance and cost requirements, light pollution, and driver distraction. Research shows that flashing lights may not significantly improve compliance with signs in certain situations, especially where speeding or poor driving habits are prevalent.

 In most cases, other traffic control measures, such as proper signage, road markings, and enforcement, are sufficient to ensure safety and compliance. The City prioritizes solutions that are cost-effective, maintainable, and align with local and state traffic regulations.

A crosswalk can be either "marked" or "unmarked". A "marked crosswalk" is designated by white or yellow painted lines on the pavement. Where there are no painted lines at intersections, "unmarked crosswalks" exist.

Per the California Vehicle Code, drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians within a crosswalk, whether it is marked or unmarked. However, pedestrians must not enter a crosswalk when there is an approaching vehicle so close as to be a danger.

Research suggests that marked crosswalks can give pedestrians a false sense of security since the rate of pedestrians being hit by a vehicle in a marked crosswalk is greater than in unmarked crossings. Pedestrians appear to use less caution when crossing at a marked crosswalk than at locations where no marked crosswalks exist, often times stepping off the curb into the roadway, expecting drivers to stop. For the approaching motorist, however, the crosswalk is not as visible as it is to the crossing pedestrian.

For these reasons, marked uncontrolled crosswalks should not be arbitrarily installed, but only after traffic and pedestrian conditions have been thoroughly examined.

Typically, the City does not install red curbs at individual property driveways. Driveways are already protected by law from being blocked by parked vehicles, and additional red curb markings are usually unnecessary.

However, if there are unique circumstances, such as frequent obstructions, reduced visibility, or safety concerns near the driveway, you may submit a request to the City’s Public Works Department Traffic Engineering Group online at (Accela Citizen Request) They will evaluate the situation to determine if red curb installation is warranted based on specific criteria, such as sightline issues or traffic flow requirements.

To report a blocked driveway please contact the Torrance Police Department at (310) 328-3456 for enforcement. When you call, please have as much of the following information as possible:

• Address
• License Plate
• Vehicle Make
• Vehicle Color

Requests for blue curb parking spaces are reviewed on a case-by-case basis upon a variety of factors. Below are the prerequisites for applying for a blue curb:

• The applicant must possess a valid Disabled Person Parking Placard or license plate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
• The location must be within a residential area where off-street parking (e.g., driveway, garage) is unavailable or insufficient.
• The applicant must demonstrate a specific need for a designated on-street accessible parking space, such as a lack of nearby accessible parking, driveway and garage configuration insufficient to meet accessibility needs, or difficulty due to mobility challenges.
• The blue curb requires an annual renewal application.

If you satisfy the above requirements and would like to apply for a blue curb, please submit the application form to the Public Works Department via mail (Torrance Public Works Department, ATTN: City Engineer; 20500 Madrona Ave, Torrance, CA 90503) or file a request online at the Citizen Request Portal, together with a scan or copy of the required documents listed on page 1 of the form.

 Near fire hydrants

In California under California Vehicle Code §22514, parking near fire hydrants is restricted as follows:

• Minimum Distance: You must not park within 15 feet on either side of a fire hydrant, whether the curb is painted or not.
• Exception: You may stop temporarily within 15 feet of a hydrant if you are in the driver's seat and can immediately move the vehicle if needed.

Near crosswalks

California’s Daylighting Law (AB 413) took effect on January 1, 2024, and introduced new restrictions to improve pedestrian safety by prohibiting parking near crosswalks to enhance visibility at pedestrian crossings. Starting January 1, 2025, violations may result in citations for stopping, parking, or leaving a vehicle standing within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk. Additionally, parking within 15 feet of a crosswalk with a curb extension will also be prohibited.

At driveways

California Vehicle Code §22500(e) states that you cannot stop, park, or leave a vehicle in front of a public or private driveway, except when temporarily loading or unloading passengers or materials.

Per Torrance Municipal code, the following curb markings indicate parking or standing regulations:

•  Red - No stopping, standing or parking at any time except that a bus may stop in a red zone marked or signed as a bus zone.
•  Yellow - No stopping, standing or parking at any time between 7 am and 6 pm of any day except Sundays and legal holidays for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers (maximum of 3 minutes) or materials (maximum of 20 minutes).
•  White - No stopping, standing or parking for any purpose other than loading or unloading of passengers (maximum of 3 minutes). Restrictions apply:

• at a times in front of a hotel;
• at all times in front of a theater, except when the theater is closed ;
• between 7 am and 6 pm of any day except Sundays and legal holidays at all other locations.

• Green - No standing or parking for more than 20 minutes between 8 am and 6 pm of any day except Sundays and legal holidays.
•  Blue - Parking limited exclusively to the vehicles of physically handicapped persons displaying specified distinguishing license plates.

Those devices are video detection cameras to detect the motion and presence of vehicles as they approach intersections with traffic signals. When a camera detects a vehicle or vehicles, the traffic signal controller responds by either turning the light green or by extending a green light in increments of a few seconds, if needed, to clear a longer queue of vehicles. If a vehicle is not detected in a left-turn lane, the traffic signal controller will "skip" that left-turn phase to avoid a needless delay to opposing through traffic.

The cameras have been installed at several intersections throughout the city including along Artesia, Torrance, and Sepulveda Boulevards, 190th Street, and Madrona Avenue.

These cameras do not record or store video.