Those with the need to press a bit too hard on their gas pedal will face a sophisticated new system on the 7500 block of Wardlow Road.

The stretch of road–a little over one mile between Studebaker Road and Claremore Avenue–is well-known for people traveling well above its 45mph limit. Following the closure of the nearby Newcomb Elementary School, traffic has increased significantly with more children and families using the pathway to access Keller Elementary.

Previous attempts to slow down traffic in this area have ultimately failed, so engineers have opted to put a rest-in-red light in its place, a tactic that has been used in many places ranging from Los Angeles to the British Columbia.

Rest-in-red basically means the light at Fire Station 5 will always be red, with speed detectors set before the light to read your speed. Should you not be following speed laws, the light will remain red and therefore make you come to a complete stop. If you are traveling at the correct speed limit, the light will turn green, permitting you to pass.

“These traffic changes improve safety in our community,” said 5th District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske in a press release. “It’s important for all of us to observe speed limits, and using the traffic signal at Fire Station 5 to slow drivers down has been a good change for our neighborhoods.”

A speed detection system, dubbed “Operation Rest in Red” has been installed on the 7500 block of East Wardlow Road to calm traffic between Studebaker Road and Claremore Avenue. Drivers have been known to speed along this 6,000 foot stretch of roadway despite the City’s best efforts to compel compliance with the 45 mile per hour speed limit.

“The City of Long Beach looks at ways to improve all of our City streets,” says Mayor Bob Foster. “In this instance, traffic signal changes to improve safety for commuters, cyclists, and pedestrians along Wardlow Road made the most sense.”

For more information on “Operation Rest in Red”, please contact the City’s Traffic Engineer at 562.570.6331.