Chesapeake to recommend lower speed limit on Johnstown Road

Posted to: Chesapeake News Traffic - Transportation
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By Mike Saewitz
The Virginian-Pilot
© October 13, 2009

CHESAPEAKE

The city's public works director will recommend lowering the speed limit on a stretch of Johnstown Road, two months after a driver hit and killed a bicyclist on a darkened part of the two-lane road.

Along with lowering the speed limit from 45 to 40 miles per hour, Chesapeake also wants to add and upgrade street lights on the portion of Johnstown that stretches from Parker Road to Waters Road, Public Works Director Eric Martin said.

The city has been studying Johnstown Road for several months, since the bicyclist was hit and killed in the 900 block in August. Police charged Sarah Magnolia Perry, 21, with driving under the influence in the death of Charles F. McCarty, Jr., 46.

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lighting

Submitted by xsubhuntr on Tue, 10/13/2009 at 8:38 pm.

granted johnston road does need lighting but what about 168, that road needs lights period there are none, and thats a well traveled road.

Finally!

Submitted by motheroftwo on Tue, 10/13/2009 at 8:20 pm.

It is unfortunate that it has taken a death for the city to finally lower the speed limit in this area of Johnstown Rd. On Friday, there were 2 accidents within 3 yours along this 900 block they are talking about!! The Pilot should do some digging and see how many accidents have occured over the last 10 years along that stretch of road. The numbers would shock you!!! I am glad the city is considering to lower the speed limit, it just needs to be lowered by more than 5 miles an hour to slow down the motorists on Johnstown.

hmmm

Submitted by Irgun on Tue, 10/13/2009 at 7:19 pm.

The driver was drunk.

Do you really think if the speed limit was lower she would have been any less drunk?

I agree

Submitted by cpc on Wed, 10/14/2009 at 3:03 pm.

Same thing happened on Shore Drive at the Beach when two pedestrians were hit and killed by a drunk driver. They lowered the speed limit. I don't think those who are driving drunk are really concerned whether they are speeding or not.

lower speed limit

Submitted by motheroftwo on Wed, 10/14/2009 at 1:35 pm.

OBVIOUSLY this will not stop a drunk driver or make them "any less drunk". It WILL, however, lower the amount of accidents from the cars speeding threw this area at well over 45 miles an hour. Most of the accidents that happen along this stretch are young drivers, and high school students (as the two were on Friday). I pray every time I see an accident on this stretch that it is not a fatality. NUF-SAID