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Category: Readers' Opinions

■ 04 September 2010 | 5:00 AM

Two speeds on Shore Drive

I do not believe the letters complaining about the reduction of the speed limit on Shore Drive from 45 mph to 35 mph will end until the concerns of all who use the road are addressed.

The speed limit was reduced to address safety issues. But for those of us who must use this four-lane highway, 35 mph just does not seem natural. Therefore, it becomes too easy to travel faster than 35 mph.

I would suggest the city install electronic speed signs. Between the hours of 7 p.m. and, say, 5 a.m., the speed limit could be set to 35 mph, and between the hours of 5 a.m. and 7 p.m., the electronic signs could be reset to 45 mph. The tickets issued would certainly pay for this upgrade and accommodate all of us who use this stretch of highway.

Wes Neal

Virginia Beach

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Excellent idea

Submitted by markk33831 on Sat, 09/04/2010 at 11:23 am.

This is an excellent idea that has merit. Putting up fences to keep people from wandering into the streets would work even better.

Competition

Submitted by truthseeker on Sat, 09/04/2010 at 10:50 am.

I have a moneymaking idea. Why not assign points to jaywalkers, based on age, gender and BAC, and after paying a Shore Drive entry fee,say a toll gate at the Lesner bridge, see how many can be hit. Sorta like pinball games. Bikes count extra. The formula would involve number of contacts divided into average speed,

How about staying below 35MPH?

Submitted by Craig Paskewic on Sat, 09/04/2010 at 3:09 pm.

There are speed limit signs. I could really care less why...it's the posted speed limit. The speed limit is now 35! Stay in the right hand lane and 'arrive alive' at your final destination with zero casualties (pededstrians or bicyclists).

Turn off or ignore the cell phone and stop farting around with the radio, chowing down on your fast food, putting on make-up or shaving...it doesn't matter. When you're driving....you're driving! Period!!! Watch what you're doing! Geez Louise!

Pay attention to what is around you. Regardless if it's a staggering drunk at 0200, or a jogger or bicyclist at 0600 ...you are in control of your vehicle. IT'S YOU! Be responsible! Value life!

SSSSlow but SSSSafe

Submitted by ssssnake on Sat, 09/04/2010 at 9:14 am.

Come on, just take your foot off the gas during the day. I can't believe that the short ride along that part of Shore Dr. and having to reduce the speed by 10mph is any big deal. I drive it daily and see no problems with it.In fact the drive actually is safer. The speed never needed to be 45 in the first place.

Human nature

Submitted by Craig Paskewic on Sat, 09/04/2010 at 7:39 am.

The tendency is to drive slightly faster than the posted limit. The higher the speed limit, the greater the variance. Zones posted at 45 often have many driving in the low to mid 50’s. This evidence is gathered each time one drives over those cords laid out across the road. They’re not just calculating the amount of traffic, but the average speed.

We also become familiar with our environments. From where the traffic controls such as stop signs or lights (and which lights are short), where many drivers turn, where law enforcement has a tendency to ‘hide’ and gauge speed with radar, and posted speed limits. We get used to those driving conditions.

Adding a variable only serves to complicate driving conditions.

East of Lesner, yes

Submitted by Wm D Tabor DDS on Sat, 09/04/2010 at 7:36 am.

That would be a good solution East of the Lesner bridge, where the problem of jaywalking club patrons is a problem in the evenings, but there never was a good reason to lower the limit West of the bridge at any time.

West of the Lesner bridge, there is only one club with a questionable parking lot where jaywalking might happen, and in the long stretch between the fire/rescue station and Pleasure House Rd, there are none at all. There was never a safety related reason for lowering the limit there, its really just NIMBY.

Everyone wants a 25mph speed limit in front of their house and a 70mph limit everywhere else. Residents of Shore Drive got this limit passed simply in an attempt to convert a highway into a residential street. The City Council overrode the advice of traffic engineers to pander to those irrational desires.

That makes too much sense...

Submitted by ed baskins on Sat, 09/04/2010 at 7:28 am.

Also, you could lower it on weekends too. One of the problems is the bike riders insist that it is their road and should be banned during rush hour for safety reasons. There are plenty of bike paths and other roads, but these people hog the lanes and make driving hazardous. You don't think a rollerblader could skate along Shore Drive during rush hour without someone calling the police, what is the difference between them and the bikers?