Speed limits shift dramatically along Twentynine Palms Highway as drivers approach Joshua Tree, and not all drivers are mindful of the changes.
On a recent episode of the Z107.7 Up Close Show, host Gary Daigneault spoke with Michael Radford and Jake Griffith of the California Highway Patrol. They discussed safety improvements made to the grade over the last several decades, and the best ways that you can navigate one of our area’s major thoroughfares safely.
Daigneault asked about what he called a “that funny little 45 mile stretch” of eastbound Twentynine Palms Highway near the treament center on Sunny Vista Road in Joshua Tree.” He said that locals know to follow the signs and slow down, but tourists don’t as much.
“There’s a lot of tickets being written in that area. I can tell you that with certainty,” said Officer Griffith.
Officer Radford added, “If there wasn’t the busy area of Joshua Tree right there, east of that location, the speed limit wouldn’t be 45 there. But you can’t just have traffic go from 55 to 40. I think it used to be 60 or 65. You’ve got to gradually slow traffic down, and it’s just not a big enough distance.”
You can hear the full conversation below, and be sure to subscribe to all of Z107.7’s podcasts right here.
