SECURITY
SPEED LIMIT ENFORCMENT PLEASE MAINTAIN YOUR VEHICLE SPEED
Speed limits within Forest Highlands are consistent with residential speed limit standards. In Forest Highlands the only road with a 35 MPH speed limit is Forest Highlands Drive, which spans from the Security Gatehouse to the mailroom. At the mailroom, the speed limit is reduced to 15 MPH because of the congestion and there is a golf cart path crossing. Recently there has been discussion in the community about radar cameras used to enforce speed limits, with mostly positive comments. In summary, data indicates the radar cameras are having a positive impact for community safety. Before review of statistics provided below, here is information provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and pertains to vehicle stopping distances. Keep in mind the information is based on level ground, good weather, properly working vehicle equipment and attentive drivers.
RADAR SIGNS in the community. Many have noticed the signs sometimes display a speed, while other times they do not display. If they do not display your vehicle speed, that is a good thing it means you are driving the speed limit or below. As you approach the sign and it is flashing a speed, it means you are exceeding the speed limit on that road…. PLEASE slowdown is the purpose of the flashing speed. The signs serve two purposes in the community; they are “speed calmers” (they provide reminders to slowdown when necessary) and they also collect data. The data is then used to support placement of radar cameras if it is noticed drivers are not positively using the flashing signs to slowdown.
20 MPH 63 feet stopping distance 30 MPH 119 feet stopping distance 40 MPH 164 feet stopping distance 55 MPH 265 feet stopping distance
As done in the August and September VIPs, this VIP edition provides recent collected data and is compared to what was presented in the two previous VIPs. The provided numbers were established between August 14 and September 10 and is consistent with the data presented in the two noted VIPs. The statistics are from Griffiths Spring by Canyon Hole No. 17 (Bailey’s
Curve) an area where the Membership has voiced concern and radar signs have confirmed there have been numerous violations. The following numbers are based on recorded vehicle speeds in a 25 MPH speed limit zone and the speeds were at least 40 MPH.
6/19 to 6/25 – 53 7/17 to 7/23 – 19 8/14 to 8/20 – 11
6/26 to 7/02 – 39 7/24 to 7/30 – 14 8/21 to 8/27 – 08
7/03 to 7/09 – 19 7/31 to 8/06 – 05 8/28 to 9/03 – 15
7/10 to 7/16 – 16 8/07 to 8/13 – 13 9/04 to 9/10 – 10
While the information above is specifically from the noted Bailey’s Curve area, the following applies to all radar cameras throughout Forest Highlands:
Between 8/14 to 9/10 there were a total of 1817 recorded speed violations (35 MPH and higher). After managing the recorded violations (eliminating duplicates, unreadable license plates, eliminating warnings, etc.), there were 326 violations issued. Violations within 25 MPH speed zones, there were 240 (35-39 MPH) and 86 (40 MPH and higher).
BREAKDOWN OF THE VIOLATIONS BY CATEGORY:
65% Contractors
35%
Member/guests
VOICE IN THE PINES | OCTOBER 2022 30
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