The new VCU Pace Car is a moving reminder of the 25 mph speed limit on campus

By Jake Burns
VCU Police

Virginia Commonwealth University public safety officials are rolling out the newest educational tool to promote safer driving habits through campus. The VCU Pace Car, which debuted this week at the Compass, will hit the streets in coming days.

Wrapped in messaging like "Not I-95, Drive 25," the pace car is a mobile reminder to drivers that the speed limit throughout VCU's academic and medical campuses is 25 mph. The goal is to consistently remind drivers of the importance of obeying traffic safety laws due to the high volume of pedestrians around VCU's campuses.

"Many people who are in the VCU footprint aren't aware that the speed limit's 25 mph. So with the pace car vehicle, we're globalizing the speed limit," said John Venuti, VCU's associate vice president for emergency services. "We want it moving around. We want people to see the speed limit everywhere they go."

Beyond the VCU Pace Car, speed limit magnets are being placed on the more than 300 VCU fleet vehicles to further spread the message.

Speed reduction is a key element in reducing significant injuries in crashes involving pedestrians. Venuti said the message is simple: Slow down.

"A lot of people on a daily basis are rushing around. That one minute you may be saving is one minute could potentially change your life or someone else's life forever," he said. "We want to encourage everyone to travel the speed limit, pay attention, be aware of what's going on and put down their phones."

The pace car initiative is among numerous ways in which VCU and VCU Health are working alongside partners to make city streets safer for all travelers. This ongoing work includes enforcement efforts from VCU Police, partnership with the city of Richmond on infrastructure projects and consistent educational outreach.

For more about this work, read this pedestrian safety update. And to learn about completed and ongoing projects, visit the pedestrian safety page on the One VCU Master Plan website.