The Fresno City Council on Thursday will consider expediting new school zone speed limits ahead of California’s implementation period. Councilmember Nelson Esparza told GV Wire it’s to help keep kids safe.

California law will lower the speed limit in school zones statewide to 20 miles per hour by 2031. Esparza said there’s no reason to wait — he wants new speed limits in place by the start of the 2026-27 school year.

A resolution sponsored by his office would, upon approval, direct city administration to roll out new street signs now, prioritizing “implementation near schools and routes with higher pedestrian and bicyclist volumes or documented safety concerns.”

“Traffic safety around our schools remains a top concern for our community,” Esparza told GV Wire. “Keeping our students and families safe is a priority, and this legislation advances that cause by lowering the speed limit to 20 MPH in school zones years in advance of being required to by the state.”

Speed Limits Should Come with Complete Streets: Fresno Unified

In a statement to GV Wire, Fresno Unified spokesperson AJ Kato said the district supports the safety measure. Kato said speed limits should also come with crosswalks and sidewalks.

“We welcome any change or improvement that will mean our students and parents will be safer when walking, riding their bikes and driving to and from school,” Kato said. “Traffic safety is supported by speed limits and their enforcement, as well as other preventive measures like crosswalks, stop signs, working lights, and proper sidewalks. We hope that the change to the speed limit is part of a comprehensive analysis to make our streets safer.”