Is 25mph an unreasonable speed?

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Excessive speeding by cars on Harris Estates Drive and Harris Court continues to be a problem at all hours of the day by a few motorists to include adults, teenagers, guests, and delivery services. The road into our neighborhood starts out at the highest elevation and proceeds at a downhill grade to the end of Harris Estates Drive. But some motorists turn onto Harris Estates drive, floor the accelerator, and quickly reach excessive speeds by the time they have passed the first houses into the neighborhood. Its easy to hear the high pitched WHOOOSH of a car or truck speeding recklessly down the street.

25 mph is the official speed limit on every square foot of our Harris Estates roads. From early hours in the morning to the cool of the evening at 11PM at night, your neighbors are out walking the neighborhood with their small children and dogs. Kids are often seen playing baseball, basketball, or simply riding their scooters up and down our roads. Distracted drivers and speeding motorists are putting our neighbors, their children, and their pets at risk for serious injury and death. 💀

SURVIVAL FACTS: The following are survival rates when a pedestrian is hit by a car.

  1. 20 mph: At this speed, there’s a 95% chance of surviving a collision with a pedestrian. Pedestrian advocates often emphasize that busy urban areas should have speed limits no higher than 20 mph.
  2. 30 mph: The odds drop to 55%, meaning it’s essentially a coin toss whether a person survives a collision at this speed.
  3. 40 mph: At this speed, the survival chances are virtually negligible, with only a 5% chance of survival.

Hitting a pedestrian would be not only a terrible burden, knowing you injured a neighbor or child, but it will cost you dearly in the pocketbook. The average payout for moderate injuries to a pedestrian is anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000, according to sdlitigation.com. Severe injuries can cost you more than $200,000. 💵💵💵

Remember, lower speeds significantly improve the chances of survival. When it comes to driving safely in residential areas, there are a few key guidelines to follow:

  1. Obey the Speed Limit: In Georgia, the speed limit for urban or residential districts is typically 25 mph unless otherwise posted. Always watch out for local speed limit signs, as specific regulations can vary.
  2. Stay Alert: Residential neighborhoods can be busy with children playing, pedestrians, and cyclists. Be aware of your surroundings and drive cautiously.
  3. Eliminate Distractions: Avoid using your mobile phone while driving, and keep your attention on the road. It’s also generally illegal to wear earbuds in both ears while driving.

Remember, safety should always be your top priority! Please talk to your driving teenagers and their significant others about slowing down in the neighborhood. Drivers aged 16-17 continue to have the highest rates of crash involvement, injuries to themselves and others, and deaths of others in crashes they are involved in. Drive safe. 🚗

Note: Image of the car speeding down the street was generated by Adobe Firefly using Generative AI.