Speed Monitoring Study: 15mph speed zones
In the interest of the safety of our property owners and guests, speed limits are posted at 15mph in several areas of Seabrook Island. Some of the reasons for those lowered speed limits include heavily congested areas, such as the entrance/exit gate, congested beach access areas, sharp and/or blind curves and hidden driveways.
To give us data on current compliance and determine the effectiveness of the 15mph signs, Seabrook Island Security monitored the 15mph speed limit compliance on Seabrook Island Road, between The Haulover and Up Da Creek for the period 6-24-16 to 6-27-16. The results of the study confirmed that the 15mph signs have minimal impact on controlling vehicle speed. Of the 2,846 vehicles monitored during the study period:
* Only 17% (473) were in general compliance, traveling 1-19 mph.
* 83% (2,373) were not in compliance, with speeds in the range of 20 to 40 mph
The Safety & Security Committee is evaluating more effective traffic calming alternatives to the 15mph speed signs, which have proven generally ineffective in controlling speed.
-Submitted byBill Bryant, Secretary and Dennis Nagy, Chair, Safety and Security Committee
My choice to reside on SI had a lot to do with NO speed bumps as they evoke anything but peace and serenity. Seabrook Is has understated elegance and the bumps are the antithesis.
If as a community we are truly serious about reducing speeding on Seabrook and the safety risks associated with it, we need to consider other options then active enforcement by our security people e.g. speed traps. As we have experience on Seabrook, speed traps only have a temporary impact, especially in a community like ours where a large number of the drivers are visitors or contractors. On the other hand, speed humps (not bumps!) are a proven and effective tool for reducing speeding on 15-25 mph streets. They have been researched and designed by transportation engineers to control speeds on neighborhood streets like ours and are widely used locally and throughout the U.S.. Why not give them a try on a couple of streets on Seabrook to see how they work. In the long run, it would be cheaper then hiring a couple more security people to just do traffic enforcement.
For clarification the speed humps the S&S committee are considering are like those in front of the CVS at Bohicket and Maybank.
As for more enforcement, how much are PO’s willing to pay as an addition to the current annual dues to be able to afford the resources that would be required …
Skip Crane
No to speedbumps! Yes to enforcement!
I agree with the above comments that speed bumps can damage your car and causes one to have your car realigned. Also, is there a need for the 15 mile speed limit. Also I agree that we should worry about the 25 mile speed limit and not the 15 mile an hour.
I complete agree with Bill’s comment. Speed bumps introduce other issues. The answer definitely lies in enforcement. The 25 mph limit needs to be strictly enforced before worrying about the 15 mph zones. If vehicles were observed travelling 20 to 40 in the 15 mph zones I suspect they are at or above that in the 25 mph zones.
While it appears that there many nonconforming vehicles the answer lies in enforcement rather than speed bumps. Placing speed bumps damages the undercarriage of low to the ground motor vehicles and allows larger vehicles (construction vehicles, trucks, suvs,etc) to proceed unhindered. Also, vehicles pulling trailers make a significant amount of noise at all hours of the day.
Perhaps a study can be done to determine if the 15 mph zones are actually needed. Perhaps signage indicating curves in the road, hidden drives etc. The study should determine if 15 mph as opposed to 25 mph, actually contributes to safety or is it just assumed.
Speed bumps would be more effective. I also suggest you install them around the pedestrian crosswalks between the traffic circle and main gates. The 35 speed limit signs there are equally ineffective.