Bishop — Motorists throughout Inyo, Mono, and eastern Kern counties should begin seeing new “Slow Down in Town” messaging on various platforms thanks to a new campaign that aims to increase safe driving. Caltrans District 9 is launching the new campaign designed to remind drivers to decrease speeds on all highways that intersect small towns.
The “Slow Down in Town” campaign launches just prior to the extended Labor Day weekend. Beginning August 29, drivers will see the message on road signs, banners and rest areas. District 9 social media channels will also post the “Slow Down in Town” messaging. The goal is to remind drivers that many highways, such as U.S. 395 through Independence and State Route 202 through Tehachapi, also serve as main streets and other pedestrian hubs in these communities.
Speeding is a prevalent issue throughout California. According to the 2020-24 Caltrans Strategic Highway Safety Plan, 33% of fatal and serious injury incidents on California roads between 2009 and 2018 were caused by speed management and aggressive driving. This is particularly true in eastern California, where Mojave CHP reports issuing a monthly average of 386 speeding tickets over the past year. In 2023, CHP issued 1,008 citations for speeding in Bishop alone. Bishop Police Department reported 1,066 traffic stops for speeding in the same period.
“Safety is Caltrans’ highest priority, and the simplest yet most effective step every driver can take to ensure safer roads and highways is to reduce their speed,” said Caltrans District 9 Director Ryan Dermody.
The campaign will run throughout the month of September. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, select highway changeable message signs in District 9 will read “Slow Down in Town” as a reminder to all motorists to watch their speed. Additionally, posters for the safety campaign are being placed at all District 9 rest areas, large banners will adorn Caltrans fencing in select communities, and the District 9 social media accounts will carry the hashtag #SlowDownInTown.