During regular session on August 14, 2023, the Thomasville City Council voted to amend speed limits in multiple areas of the community. These adjustments to the posted speed restrictions were made in an effort to ensure the safety of all vehicles traveling on our roadways.
“Most neighborhood speed zones have been reduced as part of a larger plan to benefit the community of Thomasville,” said Wade Glover, Chief of Police. “The Thomasville Police Department receives multiple complaints of speeding vehicles in our neighborhoods on a daily basis, so we know this is a matter that is of great concern to many citizens.”
Addressing the safety of the community in terms of vehicle speeds is an item that has been of concern for quite some time. In 2023, the City of Thomasville received a RAISE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to create a Multimodal Transportation Plan. “The plan aims to address transportation concerns within the community, including a safety analysis of existing conditions and needs for all modes of transportation,” said Chief Glover. “Our community utilizes multiple means of travel, from personal transportation vehicles, also referred to as PTVs or golf carts, to bicycles to traditional motor vehicles, and all must have a safe path to travel throughout Thomasville.”
As a part of the Multimodal Transportation Plan, the City of Thomasville Engineering Department examined street traffic and patterns to see if any adjustments were needed. According to Mark Harmon, Executive Director of Engineering and Inspections, personal transportation vehicles, are being operated more frequently on city roadways, creating a need to decrease speed limits as drivers approach the city center and neighborhoods. Reduced speeds help maintain consistency and prevent collisions.
"A true transportation plan considers all means of transportation,” said Harmon. “The combination of increased speeds along with more individuals walking, biking, and using PTVs is a recipe for increased collisions locally."
Based on the traffic pattern examinations, City staff recommended reducing the speed limits in most neighborhoods from 30 mph to 25 mph. This change aligns with the Transportation and Mobility Strategy of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Chief Glover recommends citizens take note of these changes, which will make the roadways safer for everyone. “No matter what sort of transportation vehicle you operate, you must be aware of your surroundings, and that includes being mindful of changes to speed limits for our roadways. Our goal is to make sure everyone has the opportunity to travel safely.”
For more information about the Multimodal Transportation Plan, call the City of Thomasville’s Engineering Department at 229-227-7009.