From Decatur PD’s Sgt. Jennifer Ross…

City of Decatur wants your opinion on the current speed limits. At the request of a number of residents, city staff has conducted a review of speed limits and several other traffic related issues within the jurisdiction. Based on this research and adopted policies, a proposal has been drafted to improve consistency and help make Decatur a safe, walkable and bike-friendly community for all ages. You can read more about the project online at decaturga.com.

Here’s how you can learn more about this project:

• Step 1: Download the Draft Proposal
• Step 2: Leave comments with our online form
• Step 3: Attend a public input session:

WHEN: August 14th, 6:00pm-7:30pm

WHERE: Decatur City Hall

Accident map courtesy of the city’s Speed Limits Study

At last night’s city commission meeting, Public Works Manager David Junger informed the commission that the 30 mph speed limit recently approved by the commission had been rejected by the Georgia Department of Transportation and would have to be raised back to 35mph.

The resulting conversation revealed some interesting rules regarding setting speed limits.  First, local governments can put up speed limit signs that say whatever they want, but the only enforceable limits are those backed up by the GDOT.  Secondly, GDOT uses some sort of “85% rule” to determine road speed limits, though I must admit Mr. Junger was talking over my head at that point and yelling follow-up questions at my television went unnoticed.

So, the city commission begrudgingly approved replaceing the old 30mph signs with the old 35mph signs.  (The enforceable speed limit was never actually changed)  The move was made with the express intent that the city would now begin strongly enforcing the speed limit in the West Howard corridor.

City Manager Peggy Merriss reminded the commission – and those in attendance – that much of that strip of road is still a school zone with a 25mph limit during school hours.  According to Ms. Merriss, school zone fines are often in excess of $400 a pop.