CAMBRDIGE, Mass. — The City of Cambridge is reducing its speed limit in some of its most popular areas.
Police say the change, which has been almost two years in the making, is meant to protect pedestrians and cyclists.
Cambridge officials say the changes will impact Kendall, Central, Inman, Harvard and Porter Squares.
Speed limits in those areas will be reduced to 20 miles per hour starting March 1.
Officials say pedestrians and cyclists are much more likely to survive a crash with a car when speeds are 20 miles per hour or lower.
They've been working on a Vision Zero action plan since 2016, making it one of 13 major cities in the United States to adopt the plan.
It outlines short and long-term goals for keeping the city's roads safe and reducing traffic related fatalities to zero.
Some of the city’s plans include designing safer streets by identifying the cause of accidents, and how they can be prevented.
The city will also try to engage the public in their new efforts and plans to partner with community organizations to promote road safety.
Cambridge officials are also collecting data on crashes, injuries and fatalities. That information will help them measure the progress they're making with the action plan.
The city will formally announce its plans on Thursday.
In 2016, when Vision Zero was adopted, Cambridge lowered the city-wide speed limit to 25 miles per hour.
Cambridge police say they're seen fewer crashes since that new speed limit was implemented.
You can read more about the city's collected data and Vision Zero here.
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