The Neighborhood Pace Car Program is a way for Santa Cruz residents to join together to set a safer pace on city streets.

Participants sign a pledge to drive within the speed limit, stop for pedestrians, drive courteously and display an official Pace Car sticker on their car.

Once there are enough Pace Car vehicles on the road, the need for traditional traffic calming is reduced. The Pace Cars become "mobile speed bumps."

By turning the idea of the Indy 500 pace car on its head, the Neighborhood Pace Car subverts the idea that speed is the most important value in personal transportation decisions. To defuse road rage, Pace Car drivers are encouraged to put something on or in their car that is designed to make others laugh.

The Neighborhood Pace Car Program grew out of a series of workshops Australian traffic calming advocate David Engwicht held with neighborhoods in Boise, Idaho. In addition to Boise, Pace Cars are travelling the streets in Salt Lake City, Atlanta, Tempe and Mesa, AZ.

To become a Neighborhood Pace Car driver, city of Santa Cruz residents can download the pledge form from the city web site. County residents can call 426-4303 to request a copy of the pledge.