Pace Car for Kids

Pace Car for Kids

Pace Car Pledge

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The Capitola City Council consulted with Australian author David Engwicht on traffic in neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Pace Car Program is a direct result of these discussions and a number of successful workshops organized by the Capitola Traffic Advisory Committee. The Capitola Council recently agreed that all city fleet vehicles would participate in the Pace Car Program. For more information about David Engwicht and traffic calming measures (including the Pace Car Program), see http://www.lesstraffic.com

What is the Pace Car Program?

The Neighborhood Pace Car Program is an exciting new citizen based initiative that promises to slow traffic and reduce car use. The idea is ingenious and simple; it uses cars to calm cars, merely by encouraging motorists to abide by existing laws. The program promotes safe and courteous driving. The two elements of this program are a bumper sticker and a pledge. Motorists are asked to sign the Neighborhood Pace Car Pledge. Citizens who make an effort to drive carefully and courteously are joining together to set the pace for safer, quieter neighborhood streets. As a pace car driver, residents and their neighbors become "mobile speed bumps." If they drive within the speed limit, the cars behind them will do the same. The central core of this program is that it puts the responsibility to drive courteously onto motorists. We encourage all county residents to sign up today!

The Purpose of the Program

The Pace Car Program has several purposes, among them are:

• To encourage drivers to drive the legal speed limit on neighborhood streets.
• To encourage driver awareness of the neighborhoods and not just the road through the neighborhoods.
• To raise awareness that cars share the road with bicyclists and pedestrians and to promote courteous habits.
• To encourage drivers to consolidate car trips.
• To encourage people to use alternative means of transportation including, but not limited to, the bus, bicycles, walking, and other wheels.

Pace Car Program Benefits

The Pace Car Program provides many benefits to the community and individual drivers:

• The program can free up police officers by reducing the need for them to respond to complaints regarding speeding traffic through neighborhoods.
• As drivers slow down and plan ahead, it will help reduce both driver stress and road rage.
• As car usage declines this helps to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
• The end result will be a city that is a safer, more pleasant to live in, work in and travel in.

What the Program Needs

The Pace Car Program needs people who:

• Are willing to drive the speed limit and are not afraid to put a Pace Car Sticker on their car. These are people who can lead by example.
• Are willing to be a courteous driver. These are people who willing to show they care about neighborhoods.
• Want to help make Capitola a better and safer place to live and raise families. These are people who are willing to be part of the solution.
• Understand that Capitola City Police cannot be expected to solve all traffic problems. These are people who know that each individual is responsible for their driving habits.

Traffic problems in your neighborhood? Become a Pace Car Driver now and learn how to make positive traffic changes

For more information or a PACE CAR presentation for your business or community organization, email or call Barbara on (831) 462-4303