A1. Speed, reduce in urban areas.

The urban driving environment is typically more challenging to the novice driver because there are more stimuli to be sorted and react to. Reducing speed allows more time to see details of the urban driving environment such as pedestrians, road hazards, and traffic flow. It also allows time to analyze what you see and predict what might happen, react to any hazards that might require quick reflexes, and execute decisions to safely change directions and avoid hazardous situations.

50% of all traffic violations involve speeding. Many of these occur in urban areas.

There is not minimum speed limit in California, but there is a law that requires you to not drive so slowly as to be unsafe it is: "No person shall drive so slowly or stop on the roadway so as to impede traffic or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic." You can be cited if you are stopped for doing this.

You should reduce your speed when: (a) traffic is dense, (b) near shopping centers, parking lots, and in downtown areas, (c) when brake lights come on several cars ahead, (d) driving on narrow bridges and in tunnels, (e) when approaching toll plazas, and (f) near schools, playgrounds, and on residential streets.

There are special speed limits that are to be obeyed even if there is no sign erected. These include: (a) railway crossings, (b) blind intersections, (c) alleyways, (d) residential districts, (e) schools, (f) bridges, and (g) business districts. Conviction of speeding when in these special areas is based on proof that the driver was unsafe and negligent.

You can assume that the speed limit is 25 miles per hour in any business or residential district unless posted otherwise. Also, when passing a school building or school grounds when children are present, and when passing a senior center with a "senior" warning sign the speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted.

Sometimes lower speed limits are posted in the general vicinity of schools in addition to the school itself. Specially marked crosswalks and five-sided signs warns that you are approaching or are in the presence of a school.