On Jan. 15, Chicago City Council is considering a crucial ordinance to lower Chicago’s default speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph, and your voice can make a difference.
WHY THIS MATTERS
- 70 percent of fatal crashes in Chicago involve unsafe speeding
- Black Chicagoans account for two out of every three victims of traffic violence
- Lowering the speed limit will have an immediate impact on traffic safety
The facts are clear: speeding is a threat to public safety and quality of life in every Chicago neighborhood.
But we have an opportunity to change this.
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP
1. Call Your Alderperson: We’ve made it easy. Fill out our brief form, and you’ll receive a phone call connecting you directly to your alder’s office.
2. Share Your Story: Tell your alder why a lower speed limit matters to you and your community.
3. Spread the Word: Forward this email to friends and family who care about safer streets.
STORIES OF SUCCESS IN OTHER CITIES
More US cities are demonstrating that lowering speed limits is an effective, low-cost measure that can be implemented swiftly to make our streets safer for all.
Boston, Seattle, Portland, and New York City all reduced urban-area speed limits, and the results have been tangible and lifesaving.
After New York City lowered its default citywide speed limit to 25 miles per hour from 30 mph, it saw a 23 percent decline in annual pedestrian deaths. In a written testimony shared with Chicago City Council, the New York City Department of Transportation said its pedestrian fatality rate is the lowest it’s been in 100 years.
Lowering the speed limit is particularly effective at addressing the most reckless kind of high-end speeding. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that when Boston lowered the citywide speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph, deadly speeding over 35 mph was reduced by almost 30 percent.
THIS ISN’T JUST ABOUT NUMBERS — IT’S ABOUT LIVES
Every call, every voice, brings us closer to streets where everyone can travel safely, regardless of how they choose to get around.
The ordinance has passed a key committee, but we need your help to ensure it passes the full City Council. Your action today could save lives tomorrow.
Let’s make Chicago a leader in street safety. Together, we can build a city where everyone feels safe walking, biking, or driving in their neighborhood.
Thank you for your commitment to safer streets for all Chicagoans.