Lower the speed limit to 20mph in our neighborhood
The Issue
This is in regards to Mason Street, West Warwick, though our surrounding streets face a similar issue.
Coit Ave is a main road, double yellow line, and has a posted speed of 25 mph. Our short, side street has the same posted speed. Several of us would like to request a speed study for Mason Street. Particularly coming in from Revere Ave, where drivers also speed and often disregard the stop signs, and cut through.
I am a concerned parent living on Mason Street. Often, I witness many children, including my own, venture out for walks or bike rides along our streets. Despite the charm and tranquility of our area, I constantly worry about the safety of our children. The current speed limit of 25mph poses a significant risk to pedestrians, cyclists, and especially young children. Unfortunately, too many drivers tend to disregard this limit, often distracted by their phones, and drive much faster. Honestly, ALL side roads should be set to 20mph by default.
The current speed limit endangers our community, particularly during times visibility may be reduced by sun glare etc. Many of us, including myself, choose to drive below the speed limit here, around 17mph is much more natural, because we recognize the risk that 25mph presents.
Statistics support that lowering speed limits to 20mph in residential areas substantially decreases the chances of accidents and reduces the severity of those that do occur. A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that the risk of injury or death for pedestrians decreases significantly with lower speed limits. Moreover, neighborhoods similar to ours observed a marked improvement in pedestrian safety and reduced traffic accidents after implementing a 20mph limit.
Our neighborhood road is often filled with families taking a stroll, children biking, and dog walkers. These streets are meant for our community, and they should be safe for all. There is an inherent responsibility to ensure the safety of our youngest community members.
By lowering the speed limit to 20mph, we can create a safer, more inviting environment for our community members to walk, play, and drive with peace of mind. It's a simple but effective step toward protecting our families and maintaining the harmony of our beloved neighborhood.
I urge you to support this petition to lower the speed limit on our neighborhood road to 20mph. Let's prioritize safety over speed and make our community safer for everyone. Please sign this petition and help us make a positive change for the families and residents who call our neighborhood home.
***Providence and RIPTA appear to be doing some revamping to advocate for lowering many speeds from 25 to 20 mph. I wonder how we can implore West Warwick to do the same. There is a letter of support listed in a "safe streets for all" action plan, found on the westwarwick.ri.gov website. It includes 98 pages detailing some safety upgrades, from June 2025. (These are mainly regarding sidewalks and flashing lights at trouble spots). Another possible thing we could do is contact a state rep to adjust legislature? Maybe a bunch of us neighbors would get together sometime and show our support for lowering residential limits. That's maybe a semi lower-cost solution.***
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The Issue
This is in regards to Mason Street, West Warwick, though our surrounding streets face a similar issue.
Coit Ave is a main road, double yellow line, and has a posted speed of 25 mph. Our short, side street has the same posted speed. Several of us would like to request a speed study for Mason Street. Particularly coming in from Revere Ave, where drivers also speed and often disregard the stop signs, and cut through.
I am a concerned parent living on Mason Street. Often, I witness many children, including my own, venture out for walks or bike rides along our streets. Despite the charm and tranquility of our area, I constantly worry about the safety of our children. The current speed limit of 25mph poses a significant risk to pedestrians, cyclists, and especially young children. Unfortunately, too many drivers tend to disregard this limit, often distracted by their phones, and drive much faster. Honestly, ALL side roads should be set to 20mph by default.
The current speed limit endangers our community, particularly during times visibility may be reduced by sun glare etc. Many of us, including myself, choose to drive below the speed limit here, around 17mph is much more natural, because we recognize the risk that 25mph presents.
Statistics support that lowering speed limits to 20mph in residential areas substantially decreases the chances of accidents and reduces the severity of those that do occur. A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that the risk of injury or death for pedestrians decreases significantly with lower speed limits. Moreover, neighborhoods similar to ours observed a marked improvement in pedestrian safety and reduced traffic accidents after implementing a 20mph limit.
Our neighborhood road is often filled with families taking a stroll, children biking, and dog walkers. These streets are meant for our community, and they should be safe for all. There is an inherent responsibility to ensure the safety of our youngest community members.
By lowering the speed limit to 20mph, we can create a safer, more inviting environment for our community members to walk, play, and drive with peace of mind. It's a simple but effective step toward protecting our families and maintaining the harmony of our beloved neighborhood.
I urge you to support this petition to lower the speed limit on our neighborhood road to 20mph. Let's prioritize safety over speed and make our community safer for everyone. Please sign this petition and help us make a positive change for the families and residents who call our neighborhood home.
***Providence and RIPTA appear to be doing some revamping to advocate for lowering many speeds from 25 to 20 mph. I wonder how we can implore West Warwick to do the same. There is a letter of support listed in a "safe streets for all" action plan, found on the westwarwick.ri.gov website. It includes 98 pages detailing some safety upgrades, from June 2025. (These are mainly regarding sidewalks and flashing lights at trouble spots). Another possible thing we could do is contact a state rep to adjust legislature? Maybe a bunch of us neighbors would get together sometime and show our support for lowering residential limits. That's maybe a semi lower-cost solution.***
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Petition created on June 15, 2026