Residents air views about speed limit change at second public hearing

Residents offered differing viewpoints Tuesday morning on proposed speed limit changes to two of Cape Girardeau County's roads known for frequent speeding and accidents.

But despite the varying opinions, all in attendance at the second public hearing this week on the issue agreed that the move must be made to ensure safety of motorists and enforcement of the law.

"For some time now we have discussed the possibility of establishing speed limits that are enforceable," said Rock Wilferth, chairman of the Cape Special Road District. "We're pleased the county commission has scheduled these hearings to hear from the public as to their feelings.

"We take a great deal of pride in our employees in what they do in improvements made on the road are deemed to increase safety," he said. "This would accomplish two things, safety being utmost. And one of the ways it becomes safer is it would authorize the highway patrol and sheriff's department to enforce these speed limits, which they have been unable to do in the past."

About 15 residents attended the public hearing at the Cape Special Road District headquarters. One more public hearing and passage of an ordinance are required to change the speed limit on County Road 205 and Singing Hills Drive. If adopted after the final public hearing Thursday, the speed limit would be reduced to 35 mph on County Road 205 between Benton Hill Road and Highway 74 and 25 mph on Singing Hills Drive.

By default, all county roads have a speed limit of 60 mph, unless a commission passes an ordinance reducing the speed limit.

Speeding tickets on County Road 205 frequently are thrown out of court, such as in 2003. A driver was issued a ticket and his attorney had planned to argue that the county did not have the authority to establish speed limits since the commission had yet to institute a speed limit ordinance when it was designated a first-class county in 1997. The case was dismissed in 2004.

Meanwhile, a 2009 city of Cape Girardeau study found that the average speed was 50.38 mph in the westbound lane and 48.9 mph in the eastbound lane during Oct. 6 to 19. And a Missouri State Highway Patrol study between Jan. 1, 2004, and Dec. 31, 2008, found that 75 accident occurred on the roadway.

Bill Sneathen of 2708 Oakshire Circle said that while he believes the speed limit should be reduced, he disagreed with setting the speed limit at 25 mph on Singing Hills Drive, which is near his home.

"25 mph is a little impractical," Sneathen said. "You are pretty much on brakes the whole time. Raise it a little bit."

Joe Hann of 2544 Singing Hills Drive believes that most officers will allow motorists 4 to 5 miles over the proposed 25 mph.

"I want to hold the speed limit down so they're allowed to go a little over," Hann said. "If they're going 27 to 30 that's acceptable. But when they're going faster, then that it will be a problem."

Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones said while he understands that many law enforcement officers will allow motorists to travel up to 10 mph over the speed limit, he said that is not always the case.

"What if they left the house that morning with an argument with their wife?" Jones said. "The roads really need to have some speed limit regulations."

Jones said that the sheriff's department has received calls from residents asking why their particular road can't be included in the proposed ordinance.

"Well, there's a process you have to go through," Jones said. "We're not doing the whole county at one time. This is a test for us."

Jones said that the commission has been accused that the proposed ordinance is a fund raiser for the county.

"I'll assure you it's not the case," Jones said. "In fact, I'll almost assure you that you won't see a sheriff's car patrolling unless there's been a complaint called in. Then they'll respond."

The final public hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday inside the county commission chambers at 1 Barton Square in Jackson. If approved, the speed limits would go into effect immediately since signs indicating the proposed speed limits are posted at both roads.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

243-6635

Pertinent addresses:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO

120 Warson Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO