It used to be like clockwork. At the end of the "shoulder season"
in the late fall, it would happen with little fanfare.
State highway officials would raise the speed limit from 35 miles
per hour to 40 mph on the stretch of Route 1 between Bethany Beach
and South Bethany.
Locals would be able to get where they were going just a little
bit quicker, and everyone was happy.
But with the arrival of winter this year, drivers are still
required to plod along at 35 mph.
Mike Williams, spokesperson for the Delaware Department of
Transportation (DelDOT), said the state chose not to raise the speed
limits this year because of an increase in winter traffic.
"In the last few years, we've seen an increase in traffic levels
from Rehoboth all the way to Fenwick Island," Williams said. "It's
gotten to the point that oftentimes the traffic volume is nearly as
high as it is in the summer, even in the dead of winter."
DelDOT officials could not provide actual traffic count numbers
by press time.
Bethany Beach Police Chief Mike Redmon said that he had no input
into the state's decision. "That's DelDOT, and we have no control
over that," he said.
But Redmon noted he was okay with the limit not being changed
this year. "We have had big concerns with pedestrian and cyclist
safety over the last couple of years here," he said.
Redmon couldn't comment on the effect on driving habits the
change (or lack thereof) would have, but said in the past it has led
to more traffic citations in the spring and early summer. "Though
it's only five miles per hour, it can make a difference," he said.
Williams said traffic engineers at DelDOT will evaluate the
effect of leaving the speed limits at their summer levels. "We're
looking at this as a test season," he said.
Reach John Duffy at (302) 537-1881, ext. 106, or by e-mail at
mailto:jduffy@smgpo.gannett.com
Originally published Wednesday, December 17, 2003
