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Trying to solve a longstanding issue with speeding and reckless driving in Woodside, the Town Council unanimously agreed to ask the California Department of Transportation to lower speed limits near Woodside Elementary School and at the intersection between Highway 84 and 35.
Four Corners
The highway intersection, also known as Four Corners, is currently considered a safety concern as motorists travel at excessive speeds, often exceeding 40 mph. The town received a petition signed by 543 people asking the council to request Caltrans establish a 25 mph speed limit within 500 yards of the intersection.
In October, Caltrans presented its $500,000 project to the Woodside community intended to improve safety for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians, months after a cyclist in the area died in a collision with a truck. The design team proposed making the Four Corners intersection a four-way stop to slow down motorists as they pass through the area.
“The stop signs are ignored when people are racing. Speed limits are a suggestion on (Highway) 35,” said Woodside resident David Mittleman. “What really needs to be done is a traffic study and a redesign of that area, which Caltrans said they were going to do, but not in a way that was amicable to anybody listening.”
Council members recognized that speeding and road safety have been an ongoing issue at Four Corners and voted to move forward with a request to lower the speed limit.
Woodside Elementary School
After multiple requests from the community to lower the speed limit near Woodside Elementary School, the town staff found through traffic surveys that the average driver travels faster than the posted 25 mph speed limit. The resolution passed by the council will request Caltrans to establish a 15 mph speed limit on the stretch of Woodside Road near the elementary school.
In October 2025, the state passed Assembly Bill 382, permitting local jurisdictions to establish 20 mph speed limits in school zones and 15 mph speed limits for residential areas on a highway.
Speed trailers set up along Woodside Road measured driver speeds exceeding 25 mph during school drop-off and pickup hours, said Ehsan Farkhondeh, chair of the Circulation Committee.
Drivers who are not familiar with Woodside might not expect to be driving into a school zone if approaching from the mountain side, he said. Farkhondeh said he believes the reduced speed limit will create more awareness for highway drivers.
Christina Warren, a member of the Circulation Committee explained that it’s a daily issue for children walking from the west side of the school who do not have any crosswalks or sidewalks to safely get to school.
“Everything’s been addressed for kids east of the school from the Glenns to get to school. But we have tons of kids west of the school that are having to deal with high-speed cars passing them while they’re trying to get to school that live less than 500 yards away,” she said.
Woodside parents shared their support for lowering the speed limit, describing many near misses their children have faced as cars attempt to pass traffic by moving into bike lanes as students are making their way to school.
Council member Jenn Wall suggested adding a school zone sign to alert drivers within 500 feet west of the school and Mayor Brian Dombkowski supported an idea proposed by Farkhondeh to establish the new speed limit within the property line of Woodside Elementary School.
Woodside town manager on leave after releasing whistleblower report against mayor, council membersFebruary 19, 2026 12:10 pm
