New Digital Speed Signs On Grand Avenue In Lakeland Village Aim To Save Lives

Four new digital speed signs on Grand Avenue in Lakeland Village were installed at the request of Supervisor Kevin Jeffries -- and there are more safety improvements expected to come on the highly traveled road.

“The digital speed signs are just the first step in our longer term goal to improve safety on Grand Avenue,” said Jeffries, who represents the First District that includes, among other areas, Lakeland Village. “Next we hope will be additional street lights on Grand followed by adding right-hand turn lanes at busy intersections.”

Jeffries said he doesn’t have a large budget for major improvements, so he’s finding ways to fund small upgrades several times each year throughout unincorporated areas in his district.

The new solar-powered digital speed signs that were installed this month are meant to slow traffic on the busy corridor, especially near Lakeland Village School, according to Jeff Greene, who serves as the supervisor’s chief of staff. The signs flash motorists' speed as they drive past; the installations were prompted by a Grand Avenue crash that left two men dead earlier this year, Greene said.

The signs were provided by the Riverside County Transportation Department and the cost did not come out of the supervisor’s budget, Greene said.

During his time serving as a volunteer firefighter in Lakeland Village, Jeffries obtained grant money that led to funding for the center turn lane down Grand Avenue. Jeffries has explained the goal of that project was to reduce the number of serious rear-end collisions that had been occurring in the area. 

“Now 15 or so years later, I'm back working on the next round of safety concerns,” he said.

Editor’s note: There have been several inquiries asking whether the new signs include cameras that snap photos of motorists. According to Greene, they do not.