Dickson County sets Bakersburg Road speed limit at 35 mph after residents’ safety concerns

The Dickson County Commission voted Monday to set the speed limit on Bakersburg Road at 35 miles per hour following public comments from two residents who urged a lower posted limit for safety.

Emily Dudas, a Bakersburg Road resident, told the commission she and her family spend a lot of time outside and had noticed speeding since a speed limit was posted late last year. "I personally do not feel like you could drive 45 miles an hour on our road safely," Dudas said, adding that she had been ``run off the road'' by oncoming traffic she said was traveling near posted speeds.

Her husband, identified in the meeting transcript as Mr. Dudas and introduced as a firefighter, described blind turns and the lack of shoulders on the road: "Going 45 kind of gives the driver implied consent to kinda go a little bit faster," he said, and added that there have been "probably three accidents on the road" since they moved there.

Commissioner Gray told the panel the sheriff recommended leaving the limit at 45 because that matched the "80 fifth percentile," but said he would like to recommend changing the limit to 35 mph. Commissioner Griggs moved to set the speed limit to 35 mph; Commissioner Grubb seconded the motion. The commission approved the change by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

The sheriff's office had reported an average speed of 37 to 38 mph on the road; the commission discussed that figure during the agenda item but the transcript does not show the sheriff appearing in person or providing a formal written order to change the limit. The resolution as passed directs county staff to post the new speed signage consistent with the commission's action.

The action followed a public comment period in which two residents spoke specifically about Bakersburg Road. The commission did not record opposing votes on the motion in the transcript.