Is The Speed Limit On E. 4th Too High?
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The speed limit on East 4th St has become a topic of concern. After two separate vehicle accidents occurred at the same general area within a week, the question was asked, is the speed limit in that area the cause of common accidents?
Starting east of Belmont, the speed limit of East 4th increases from 30 to 40 MPH, near Gary’s Super Foods is a common area for accidents in which authorities suggest, is caused by poor speed judgment by drivers pulling out of area parking lots.
The severity of accidents along East 4th has increased because of the speed limit, according to the North Platte Police Department’s Lt. Hoaglund, “People need to be more cautious knowing they’re entering a roadway that’s got a higher speed limit” Hoaglund explains and continues, “If you have to wait another fifteen seconds, it’s better than waiting another fifteen weeks to get your vehicle fixed.”
The speed limit has been 40 for over 35 years, said Hoaglund, who believes the speed limit is a legitimate speed for that area because of the amount of traffic that passes through East 4th each day.
Defensive driving is always a good idea when on the street with other motorists. There is only so much an agency can do to protect motorists on the roads. Drivers have the best shot at preventing accidents when they use good judgment and caution while operating a vehicle.
The speed limit is fine. Those wrecks could have been prevented. If, people would just be patient and look both ways before pulling out into traffic. I don’t know how many times a week I have to slam on my breaks because someone decided to pull out in font of me. It’s not just on 4th street it’s all over town. The worst are the people who cut you off or hurry to get in front of you and than drive 5 miles per hour.
So they are going to base the 2 accidents in TWO weeks, (It was over 2 weeks ago the other accident happened!!! ) On changing the speed limit? Really? The article says the speed limit has been the same speed limit for FORTY years! And all of a sudden since we have 2 accidents in 2 weeks now it needs to be changed? That is the most idiotic thing i’ve ever heard! Maybe if the people paid closer attention to where they were going instead of who is calling, texting or who is in another car they wouldnt have accidents… oh and may I mention that ALL cars have BLINKERS!!!! Use them people! They arent there for ornaments! The problem with this towns drivers is they either drive 10 miles below the speed limit or 10 miles above! There are signs with the speed limit ALL over town the problem is the people here cant seem to READ the signs and want to do whatever they want then slam on the breaks because they missed their turn… and in both of these cases I would be willing to bet that is about 90% of the issue!
People need to pay attention. The speed is fine. People are not paying attention and or are in a hurry and pull out in front of others even turning on unprotected turns.
Maybe a stop sign in the parking lot exits would help? (then again maybe not) but for some reason people think if there is no stop sign or yield sign they can just plow out of parking lots like it’s not big deal. And I agree with the above the people driving too damn slow are more of a hazard!
North Platte drivers suck ass. Plain and simple. Alot of pukes are already hitting 40-45mph+ eastbound by Taco Johns. Combine that with the absent minded people trying to pull out onto 4th and you have a recipe for disaster.
I dont know who is worse… the elderly,punk teenagers texting n driving,people talking n driving or the influx of 4 county morons adding to the mix of not knowing their asses from a hole in the ground. The good ol NP police would rather look the other way the pull somebody over for a moving violation. Until the police step up to the plate and start inforcing traffic violations these things will continue
The local popo would rather sit in church parking lots or the park or just plain hide than rather make thier presents seen and actually start doing their job and patrol and watch for moving infractions
A stop sign in Garys parking lot might help. But until local drivers start being alert and attentive to thier surroundings these type of things will continue to happen. In this town you have to drive defensively or you will get into an accident !!
I’ve always thought the speed limits in this town were pretty LOW honestly.
i agree…. 35 mph on east walker between hwy 83 and newberry…. that is so pointless!
The speed limit on that street is fine. It is driver inattentiveness that is too high. Possibly some reengineering for parking lot entrances would help, although the biggest causes of close calls on east 4th are people turning into Casey’s from the eastbound lane, and people trying to get into Gas Stop. Lots of rear end near miss incidents.
Maybe people should finish their phone call / text message while they are still in the Parking Lot before they pull out onto the highway?
If people would stay off cell phones it would help matters….
Obama will cause gas prices to go to 20$ a gallon. Then no one can afford to drive….problem solved. Thank goodness we re-elected this moron….he solves everything.
So are you, fidiot!
The speed limit is perfectly fine..its the dumbasses around here that need to learn how to drive and watch what they’re doing.. more accidents involve elderly people or young kids that don’t care cuz mommy and daddy pays the insurance
People in this town (for the most part) drive like total CRAP! Lowering the speed limit anywhere in town just to compensate for the amount of stupid around here is the wrong plan…
The problem all over town is people drive too fast they don’t pay attention to posted speeds they speed up at yellow lights and blow stop signs, turn off the damned cell phone… leave on time and drive nice, but then again you get those sleeping jesus’s when your on your lunch hour you cant get around, maybe we all know the state troopers are great at filing there ticket books lets post problem intersections and make there jobs easier,,,,
people need to learn to stop when pulling out of places.. no stop signs means you dont have to stop.. RIGHT?? Just like a yellow light means step on it or you’ll HAVE to stop.. & YES.. put down them damn cell phones [maybe leave them at home] if you can’t wait to talk on them then STAY HOME!!!
In my opinion the speed limit has nothing to do with the wrecks, people either arent paying attention and change lanes without looking or get in a hurry and pull out infront of someone. I used to drive that stretch everyday for over 6 years, and have seen motorcycles have to hop onto the sidewalk because someone changed lanes without looking, annd ofcourse the people who are turning to pull into a place before they are even there
The speed is just fine. The idiots who cannot drive and dont pay attention are not fine. But, you cannot fix stupid. Bigger issues exist with streets in town. How about we find a way to get a stop sign at the intersection of B and McDonald? Anyone with kids that attend either the highschool or Mcdonald Elementary can tell you the chaos of that intersection.
There is a stop sign on McDonald.
I think people just need to pay more attention.
Guess the speed on the one ways is just fine. How many accidents have happened on them, with people pulling out in front of people or people stopping just to turn into a business along there? Paying attention to your surroundings while you drive must of went out the window with common sense. Alot of people don’t use either of them anymore!!!!!!! Oh and Obama will have it to where you can’t afford to drive let alone go get food anymore, because all your money will be going to your health insurance!!!!
I agree two accident in a three week time frame does not warrant a change. People need to be more attentive, too many distractions. In fact, nothing more ridiculous for comparison, 40mph on east 4th street which is commercial and residential. 40 mph on walker rd between s. Buffalo bill and hwy83 south. But yet we have 35 mph on south buffalo to state farm rd, an ares that is undeveloped, but turns into 50 mph in hills, with driveways, truck traffic, etc. Also 25 mph on east walker rd from the canal to the truck stop. Rediculous
either way people will not obey the speed limit they are going to speed either way! People just need to be patient and pay attention!
Speed limit should be increased if anything. Its a non residential area and part of a highway. If u need to go slow take a convienant side road.
No, the speed limit in North Platte is NOT TOO HIGH!!! However, the level of stupidity IS!!! Can we do anything to remedy THAT problem? Seriously…this is a REAL PROBLEM here!!!
I do think the speed is high in this area, but once again we will change the law because of a few irresponsible people. If everyone only took a right out of Gary’s there would be no problem. I often go out the back avoid 4th street entirely.
I pulled out of Gary’s parking lot exit closest to Casey’s one day and there was a car back by Gas
Stop that just floored it to get right on my backside. He never let up, to the point where I thought he was going to rearend me. I turned at the park and low and behold the guy turned into Taco Johns. I guess the tacos were calling his name.
I don’t think the speed limit is too high. I do think they need to install a set of lights by the park that are activated in the morning and evening especially when kids are traveling to and from school. Sometimes we will wait up towards 5 mintues to cross 4th Steet by the park when walking our dogs. It’s a very busy street.
No stupid people just need to pay attention!