Union City Speed Limit Controversy
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If you have driven through Union City, and have been more than a little confused about the speed limit signs, you are not alone. Until Thursday, one stretch of road on Reelfoot Avenue had conflicting speed limit signs. One direction it was 45, the other 35, and the dueling signs has resulted in many speeding tickets. The Tennessee Department of Transportation says the speed limit signs should have always been 45 mph both ways on the controversial stretch of road. So, how did the speed limit sign change and will the speeding tickets still stand? It was not until Union City drivers began forking over lots and lots of money for speeding tickets, that they began to realize the stretch of road at Reelfoot and Everett was confusing. One side of the road shows 45 mph, and the other 35 mph. City officials says it has been like that for at least 15 years, and it is just now getting attention because of the new red light cameras installed in February. Just last month, they caught nearly 700 speeders. That is about 23 tickets a day, and at $50 a piece, that is no small change. Jackie Roberson, a resident, says, “I like the cameras, but the speed limit should be the same both ways, so motorists won’t get mixed up.” So, how did this mix up happen? Well, TDOT says it was not their sign. Their records show it was always supposed to be 45 mph on both sides. Nichole Lawrence, a community relations officer with TDOT, adds, “I don’t have a why, but we did not put that 35 mph sign up. That is not our 35 mph speed limit sign. In a typical situation like on Reelfoot, we’re not going to have opposing speed limit signs, no.” When daily complaints came flooding in recently, city leaders conferred with TDOT, and realized the mistake. That is why they changed both signs to 45. Robin Wood, a resident, says, “I think it’s good they’re finally doing it. Now you don’t have to think about which direction you’re going and what speed limit it should be.” Now, as to a refund on those tickets, do not expect a green light on that decision anytime, the Union City Police Department says that would be impossible to do. The city is working with TDOT right now on a speed survey, so this will not happen again in other parts of the city.
