Watch your speed
By Joyce Lavene
Senior Staff Writer
Drivers coming through Locust should be aware of speed limit changes along Hwy. 24/27. Fifty-five mile an hour zones that began near Pond Road and in front of Bojangles have become 45 mph speed zones. The speed zones are an effort to give drivers time to adjust to the change that once went from 55 mph to 35 mph. Many drivers have received tickets which police have said might not have happened with a more gradual change. City officials are also hoping this will be a safer way for traffic to flow in and out of the city.
On the Cabarrus County side, the new 45 mph speed zone goes down to just before Reed Mine Road before it changes to 55 mph. On the side going toward Albemarle, the speed zone changes to 55 mph close to Jacks Road.
Drivers who regulalry drive through the city are more susceptible to these changes than those who are going through for the first time. “I got my first ticket the last time the speed limits changed,” Ray Rostere said. “This time, I’ll watch my speed. You just think it’s the same and you don’t notice.” Rostere travels the road from Oaboro to Charlotte to work and back each day.
According to Locust Police Chief, Frank Hartsell, the police will not issue citations for the new speed zones for the first 30 days. “We are currently issuing warnings so that everyone can get used to the new speed limits. I would also like to let everyone know that the speed limits on state maintained roads are set by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), not by a city, and definitely not by a police department. This includes Main Street and
Central Avenue, as well as Renee Ford Road, Meadow Creek Church Road and
all the other state maintained roads that are inside the city limits.”
Hartsell said he has received several very rude complaints from people accusing the
police department of moving the speed limit signs, changing the speed limit, making moneyfrom citations and several other accusations relating to the new speed limits. “The fines from all traffic citations go to the school system, not to the city and not to the police
department,” Hartsell said. “While I can understand that the perception may be that the
police make money from writing citations, this is simply not true. Perception is not always reality, and this is a prime example of that statement.”
Drivers should write or call NCDOT if they have issues with the new speed limits, Hartsell said. “I understand that some people may not like the new speed limits that have been placed into effect. The City of Locust and the Locust Police Department do not have the authority to change the speed limits on state maintained roads or highways. People forget is that we are sworn to enforce the laws of this state. The traffic laws are just a
part of all the laws that we are required to enforce.”
