Thomasville residents react to speed limit changes

THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WALB) - Residents are now reacting to speed limit reductions in some Thomasville neighborhoods. This comes after the city decided to lower the speed limit from 35 to 25 mph after a high number of complaints about speeding.

WALB did a neighborhood walkthrough of some of the areas where the city says you can expect to see those changes and to my surprise on Magnolia Street, almost every turn had a speed limit change to 25 mph.

“They be flying up and down the street like a racetrack. I mean both streets, Magnolia and South Street. Go cars, minivans, you name it, they be flying it,” said a resident.

The city says, “This plan aims to address transportation concerns within the community.”

Most residents say they agree that speeding is a major issue in Thomasville, but they say the city should enforce the laws already in effect instead of lowering speed limits.

“Reducing the speed limit to 25 isn’t going to make them go slower. Hit them in their wallet and penalize them. There should be consequences for the choices they make. Driving is a privilege, not a right,” said Shanna Taylor, a resident of Thomasville.

One resident WALB spoke with says she has never seen a sign in front of her yard until now.

“This the first time they put a sign right here, they put one here, one down there and I think one over there and they got a stop sign down here that says stop, but they don’t stop, they keep straight on by. It’s been a lot of accidents because I been here bout 15 years, and I done seen so many happen right there on Magnolia and College Street.” another resident said.

The city says they are trying to make the roads safer for those who use multiple means of transportation including golf carts and bicycles. That’s why this motorist says he’s happy about the change because he’ll feel safer as he rides his cart.

“I may not have to watch as hard for the other vehicle, I try to be really cautious myself, but some people may not be as cautious as I am,” said a driver.

The main areas that will see these changes are Magnolia Street, South Street, College Street, Bartow Street and Fern Street.

For more information about the Multimodal Transportation Plan, call the City of Thomasville’s Engineering Department at (229) 227-7009.

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