Union Road speed study: 15% of vehicles exceeded enforcement threshold; county to boost targeted enforcement

County law enforcement presented results of a five‑day speed study on Union Road and commissioners discussed enforcement and engineering responses on July 7.

Captain Helmer said the study, conducted May 6–11, captured 2,825 vehicles with an average speed of 44 miles per hour, a slowest recorded speed of 7 mph and a top speed of 78 mph. Using a seven‑mile threshold above the posted 45 mph limit (tracking speeds over 52 mph as enforceable violations), the study identified about 15% of vehicles — roughly 423 out of 2,825 — exceeding that threshold. "15% is right around 423 vehicles out of those that were traveling above that 52 mile per hour speed limit," Helmer said.

Helmer told the board the sheriff's office will increase targeted radar assignments at random times and recommended further data collection rather than an immediate change to the posted speed limit. He said speed cameras are not in use countywide and noted that revenue from traffic enforcement goes to the state, not the county. "I don't think lowering the speed limit will help," Helmer said, explaining that drivers who want to speed typically will regardless of the posted limit unless enforcement presence increases.

Commissioners raised engineering options such as trimming trees to improve sight lines and asked public works staff to assess right‑of‑way width and recent tree trimming. Staff noted county speed limits generally track a traffic‑engineering study last done around 2015 and that a comprehensive countywide study could cost in the neighborhood of $33,000 then (likely higher today).

The board directed staff to prepare a response for the resident who raised the complaint, pursue tree‑trimming or visibility improvements where appropriate and continue targeted enforcement to measure any changes in speeding behavior before considering a formal speed‑limit reduction.