Building on the popularity of last year’s public awareness campaign, City Councillor John M. Tobin, Jr. today announced that Slow Down Boston 2007 will begin citywide on Monday, May 14.

“Spring is here and it’s time to remind people to slow down when driving through the city’s neighborhoods,” said Councilor Tobin, who serves as Vice President of the City Council. “We got a great response from last year’s campaign and we received a lot of positive feedback from residents all over the city. The requests for signs have already started to come in. I hope that even more people will get on board this year.”

Slow Down Boston is a public awareness campaign aimed at curbing speeding on Boston’s streets. Councillor Tobin began the effort in 2006 after his office received numerous complaints about speeding. Last year more than 500 signs were distributed to residents citywide. Councillor Tobin’s effort also inspired a similar campaign in the town of Dedham.

The red and white signs reading “Please Slow Down Boston” will be available to Boston residents free of charge through Councillor Tobin’s office. The signs can be placed on lawns or affixed to front porches and fences. The campaign will run through the end of June.

“The warmer temperatures bring more residents out on our streets and sidewalks riding bikes, pushing strollers, and jogging,” said Councillor Tobin, who represents West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, and parts of Roslindale. “Motorists must be extra cautious on our roadways this time of year especially because so many children are outside enjoying the weather.”

Slow Down Boston is part of an ongoing effort by Councillor Tobin to encourage people to stop speeding and drive safer. In August 2005 Councillor Tobin proposed that the City of Boston consider using solar-powered radar speed display signs.

He filed an order calling for hearings to discuss the possibility of purchasing and permanently installing the radar signs citywide. Three years ago Councillor Tobin worked to increase the fine for drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Councillor Tobin is also a proponent of the traffic calming measures now being used by other cities and countries including speed humps.

Councillor Tobin said that he hopes that the signs will also make drivers better observe other rules of the road like yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, obeying “No Turn On Red” signs, and making sure that drivers don’t block intersections.

Anyone interested obtaining a sign can call Councillor Tobin’s office at (617) 635-4220 or e-mail john.tobin@cityofboston.gov.