October 2, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
A speed zone is being established for subdivisions in the City of Smithville not already posted.
During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the Aldermen voted to post the speed limit at 20 miles per hour in the three or four subdivisions which have no posted signs. The estimated cost to post the signs is expected to be no more than $1,000.
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Police Chief Mark Collins addressed the Mayor and Aldermen requesting specifically that the 20 mile per hour speed zone be established for Greenwood Drive Subdivision on Short Mountain Highway based on citizen complaints of speeding there. But Chief Collins added that speed zones in other subdivisions should also be posted.
“I have had a lot of people calling in and a lot of complaints about speeding (Greenwood Drive). I sent my guys out there. Every once in a while there is one (motorist) that comes through in excess. But Greenwood Drive is not posted. There is no speed limit actually on it other than going back to the state (speed limit on non-posted streets) which is 30 miles per hour. In my opinion even though people are traveling 30 to 35 miles per hour it is still too fast for Greenwood Drive,” said Chief Collins.
“I would love to get a speed limit posted for Greenwood Drive at 20 miles per hour. I think that would be a good speed limit for that area. The people I have talked to (residents there) also thought that was fair and reasonable. While we are doing this there are some other subdivisions throughout the city in the same boat. I have not had complaints from these subdivisions but there are no posted speed limits there either. I would like to ask that the board consider making the speed limit 20 miles per hour for all the subdivisions,” he continued.
Chief Collins said a posted speed of 20 miles per hour would make those subdivisions safer.
“In a subdivision you have turnarounds and houses close together. People are walking in the afternoon and kids are riding their bikes. If we leave it the way it is, non posted the speed limit is 30 miles per hour (under state law) and there is really nothing we can do to anyone traveling 30 miles per hour. I feel 30 miles per hour is too fast so if we change one I thought maybe we could look at changing them all to 20 miles per hour,” added Chief Collins.
The aldermen adopted Chief Collins’ request.