WORCESTER — Responding to a swell of outcry, the Worcester City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to close out a public survey on a proposal to reduce the speed limit citywide to 25 mph.
The council’s action is part of a broader push to expedite the process of making Worcester’s streets safer for drivers and pedestrians, with overwhelming support from both councilors and residents.
The proposal, which also includes the establishment of 20 mph safety zones in sensitive areas across the city, has garnered significant attention and support from the community.
Worcester resident Oliver Chadwick was among several speakers at the council meeting who voiced frustration over the perceived delay in implementing these changes.
“In a period of about six weeks, five pedestrians were hit on our streets,” Chadwick said during the public speaking segment. “I’m frustrated by the slow movement of the council in responding to the crisis on our streets. Choosing to delay or do nothing is a choice, and it has consequences. Reducing the speed limit to 25 miles per hour is one of the rare policies with no apparent downside. In Boston, it reduced dangerous speeding by more than 30 percent, and in Portland, it reduced it by 47 percent.”
Chadwick’s remarks echo the sentiments of many Worcester residents who have been calling for swift action to address road safety concerns.
The Worcester Department of Transportation and Mobility launched this public survey earlier this year to gather feedback on the proposed speed limit changes. On Tuesday, the council voted 11-0 to close the survey and move forward with discussions on adopting the citywide statutory speed limit of 25 mph and the establishment of 20 mph safety zones.
Councilor Donna Colorio, who is also chair of the Traffic and Parking Standing Committee, expressed gratitude to the department for engaging the public and called for an emergency meeting to accelerate the process, with the goal of bringing the matter to a full committee by Sept. 10.
Councilor Etel Haxhiaj also submitted a resolution in support of expediting the adoption of the 25 mph speed limit and safety zones, emphasizing the need for immediate action. Her resolution further advocated for the inclusion of traffic calming measures and other safety improvements in all of the city’s roadway projects.
With the survey closed, the data will be analyzed to inform the council’s next steps.
The speed limit proposals fit into Worcester’s broader Vision Zero Safety Action Plan, which is slated for completion this fall. City officials recently declared a “traffic violence crisis” to point to the urgent need for change in the wake of a surge in pedestrian crashes.
In 2024 alone, Worcester sustained more than 2,800 car crashes, leading to 51 serious injuries or deaths, with 90 of those incidents involving pedestrians. City officials emphasize that lowering the speed limit to 25 miles per hour could significantly enhance safety and accessibility for all roadway users, particularly the most vulnerable.
Statistics show that pedestrians have a 50 percent chance of surviving a collision at 30 miles per hour, but that chance increases to 90 percent at 20 miles per hour.
Charlene Arsenault can be reached at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
As the Worcester Guardian marks nearly a year of delivering free, independent digital news to our city, our dedication to this mission strengthens. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to support our ongoing commitment to providing hyperlocal news coverage to Worcester. Scroll to the bottom of our home page to sign up for our daily newsletter
