Denver Public Works crews added new speed limit signs along Evans Avenue on Friday as part of its effort to reduce traffic deaths by slowing down drivers.

Mayor Michael Hancock announced plans to reduce speeds along five roads including Evans on Aug. 7. The changes were announced in the wake of two high-profile cyclist deaths, leading Hancock to label traffic deaths a “public health crisis.”

The signs installed Friday reduce the speed limit along a stretch of Evans between Federal and Huron Street from 35 mph to 30 mph (and from 25 mph to 20 mph in a school zone). Denver Public Works spokeswoman Nancy Kuhn said their goal is to reduce “fatalities and serious injuries” on city streets and improve safety.

“We’re really trying to get everyone to be aware that speeding is an issue in our city,” Kuhn said Friday, adding, “We can do things like signs and in-street treatment, but we also need people to change their behavior. We need them to slow down, we need them to not drive distracted and we need them to not drive impaired.”

Public Works listed four other roads with forthcoming speed limit reductions:

• Cherry Creek Drive South from University to Colorado Boulevards (From 35 mph to 30 mph)
• 1st Ave/Steele St/Cherry Creek Dr. North/Alameda Ave from University to Colorado (From 35 mph to 30 mph)
• Peoria Street from 47th to 39th Avenues (From 40 mph to 35 mph)
• 56th Avenue from Quebec Street to Tower Road (From 45 mph to 40 mph)

Overall, 55 people have died on Denver streets so far this year, according to Public Works.